Rep. Mike Bost (R-Carbondale), lead Republican of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, turned to social media to express his concerns about veterans of the war in Afghanistan and how the Taliban takeover will affect their mental wellbeing.
With the swift radical Islamists takeover of the war-torn nation, interpreters and others who aided troops face dangers of retaliation by the new government. That doesn’t sit well with troops who follow a “no man left behind” philosophy, and Bost is quick to let them know he supports their needs.
Bost tweeted, "To all of our Southern Illinois servicemembers, veterans, and families of those who served in Afghanistan, we will not forget your sacrifice. If you are struggling right now, know that you are not alone and that help is available."
The Veterans Crisis Line offers free confidential help for veterans in crisis and their families and friends. Bost tweeted the details veterans need to reach the line, which is available at 1-800-273-8255, then select 1. Veterans can click here to access a counselor through text or chat.
Tom Porter, an Afghanistan veteran and the executive vice president for government relations at Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), said, "There's a wide range of opinions among Afghanistan veterans about the withdrawal." Stressing he doesn't speak for everyone, Porter said some veterans feel the withdrawal was overdue while others believe the United States should have stayed to prevent any violence.
For the many who deployed to Afghanistan during the 20-year war, Porter says scenes of the terrifed Afghan citizens attempting to flee the overrun city of Kabul will be disturbing.
"That's going to color the way veterans and service members think about the end of their service, the result of their service," Porter said. "Everybody in the community's going to be looking to see, how is history going to remember what we did over there?"
Much of veterans' anxiety is tied to the effort of getting out those who helped the United States at risk to their families' lives, said Jeremy Butler, IAVA's chief executive.
Bost has been caustic in his criticism of President Joe Biden’s handling of the withdrawal from Afghanistan. He also has posted on his Facebook page asking for those trapped in Afghanistan to contact his office.
In an official statement on Aug. 16, Bost said, “Biden has thrown 20 years of American service members’ blood, sweat, and sacrifice down the drain. He has condemned allied Afghan soldiers, interpreters, and journalists to certain death. He has abandoned the women and girls whose rights and lives are at stake under Taliban control. And he has severed a vital intelligence network that helped prevent attacks in the region and here at home. We all want American troops home safely as quickly as possible; but this clueless, bungled withdrawal will have devastating consequences for years to come.
“Tracy and I are praying for safety of those left behind, the troops that are being deployed, the women and girls who will now face hardships under Taliban rule, and our nation as a whole.”
Alerts Sign-up