Afghanistan Veterans Made a Difference

Mastin M. Robeson/MajGen, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)

This OpEd not a political statement, it is a communication from one Veteran Non-profit (Upstate Warrior Solution) to veteran who for over 20 years have partnered with the unlikely and buried the beloved. It is a reach out to all veterans and their families who are reeling from the images and reality of a collapsed Afghanistan government and a reinstated Taliban. 

Veterans are unique. You took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, and to obey the orders of the President and the orders of the officers appointed over you.  You risked life, limb, health, and relationships to execute these orders which in the case of Afghanistan began with defeating the Taliban and driving them out of power. You miraculously accomplish these missions simultaneous to burying many of your buddies. So, when a collapse of this magnitude and suddenness occurs, you often find yourselve confused, frustrated, and at a loss to understand and process. This is a recognition that you and your families have had a bad week that will likely continue for months…and that some of you may never get over.  This is one Veteran Non-Profit’s attempt to a reach out to, connect with, and throw a lifeline to you and your families. 

The past few days have been sobering as we have watched the collapse of Afghanistan and the rise and reinstatement of the Taliban.  Many of you will ask if it was worth it…the fight, the monetary cost, the loss of life and limb, and the loss of faith our allies feel every time we walk away. We’ve always known this was a possible outcome, but we still don’t like it. 

Many of you are understandably battling anger and despair.  

In 1975, our Vietnam veterans were faced with a similar sentiment as the political decision was made to abandon our South Vietnamese allies.  That morning the Army’s Chief of Infantry at Ft. Benning, Georgia, called together the over 1,000 students who were there in resident courses and spent 45 minutes addressing the situation to include his personal views, and another three hours answering pointed and understandably painful questions. He wrapped it up by encouraging those combat vets to spend the rest of the day talking amongst themselves in smaller groups, figuring out how to compartmentalize their demons, live with their memories, honor their dead, master their grief, and depend on each other. It impacted them so profoundly that I have heard from many over the last two days recounting that day with reverence.  

It is easy to feel betrayed and used, to feel the sacrifice was for nothing, to take it personally, to let it affect your self-worth, to let it overshadow your entire service experience. DON’T! 

You were successful. You defeated Al-Qaida. You drove the Taliban from power. You gave your Afghan brothers an opportunity to succeed. You ensured tens of thousands of terrorists never died from old age. You positively impacted an entire generation of Afghans.  You prevented another attack on America.  You saved thousands of Afghan women and children from growing up under Taliban rule…an entire generation.

I too wish we had ended this war differently. The American people know that the debacle of the past weeks in Afghanistan is not your fault, that you served with honor and courage. That you made a difference.

Was it worth it? YES. 

Does it hurt? YES. 

But you are now faced with another very tough choice—to fight the inner demons of rage and deep sadness…or to succumb. 

You did what no generation before you has done. You deployed 4, 6, 8, 10 times, were unexpectedly extended, went back on extremely short turn around, and you did it for over 20 years. That’s a lot to be proud of. 

Now is the time for all of us to reach out to buddies and veteran organizations for encouragement and camaraderie, to find hope and value in the hurt. A list of resources can be found at https://upstatewarriorsolution.org. I encourage you to find one and let them help you compartmentalize your demons and master your grief…and to stay connected.  

You stood in the gap, you kept the wolves at bay, you denied an enemy that sought to rob us of the freedoms we hold so dear. You are the Next Greatest Generation. And for that I say thank you.  

Thank you for who you are. Thank you for what you have done. Thank you for your service. You can still make a difference by reaching out to your fellow veterans, especially during times like this! I am humbled and honored to live in the Upstate and share your legacy. God Bless, and finish well.

Mastin M. Robeson is a MajGen, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired) and serves as Chairman Board of Directors, Upstate Warrior Solution.