...for as long as it takes
Special Message From Gunny
The following is from my friend and Sister Marine, Lt Colonel Robin
Higgins, wife of Col Rich Higgins who was kidnapped and murdered by
Hezbollah terrorists. Robin voices some very meaningful and appropriate
words regarding the Kosovo POW vs Hostage issue and the attachment of
American troops to the UN.
As usual, I am in total agreement with Robin. This lady tells it like it
is and pulls no punches. Through her personal ordeal, she has earned
both the right to say whatever she likes and the credibility to be taken
very seriously. I love this lady with all my heart and when you read her
words, you'll understand why.
Murdered Marine's Wife Speaks Out About Capture of U.S. Servicemen in Yugoslavia
Tallahassee, Fla. - With the news of the capture today of three U.S.
servicemen in Yugoslavia, I recall the capture in 1988 of my husband,
Col.
William R. (Rich) Higgins who was serving with a U.N. peacekeeping
operation in Lebanon. He was held by Iranian-backed Hezbollah
terrorists
and later murdered, a picture of his body hanging from a noose released
to
the news media in July 1989. His remains continued to be held until
they
were released in December 1991.
I have heard from more than one President, U.N. Secretary General,
Defense
Secretary and Joint Chiefs Chairman what I am hearing today, that "we
have
long memories," that "we will hold these captors accountable," " that we
will go after them." Sadly, I haven't found this to be true.
When I tried to find a voice for my story, no major publisher would
publish
my book, saying that the story is "too old" and "not relevant." Sadly,
they are being proved wrong today. I fear for and I pray for the safety
of
these brave men, and my heart goes out to their families.
Colonel Higgins was never declared a Prisoner of War by his country, and
it
seems that is the case with the men being held today. It is my
contention
that when servicemen or women are captured, they are "prisoners of war,"
not "hostages" or "detainees." A "hostage" is a civilian caught in the
line of fire, and held for some sick political or financial reason.
Servicemen are held because they represent to those who would harm us,
all
the perceived weaknesses of democracy.
When a man or woman in the uniform of our country are captured, they
behave
as prisoners of war. They live day by day by the code of conduct that
says: "I am an American, fighting in the Armed Forces that guard my
country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their
defense.... I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for
freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles
which
made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States
of
America."
Because Rich was always a "hostage" and never a "prisoner," there were
never any demands of international rules of treatment, no Red Cross
visits,
no insistence on medical care or humane treatment.
Because neither the U.S. nor the U.N. wanted to give "legitimacy" to the
terrorists, insisting that neither the state of Lebanon nor Syria had
anything to do with it, they put no special pressures or demands, placed
no
sanctions on them or anyone else.
The State Department, not the Defense Department, had the lead. That
meant
diplomacy, not military might. There was no retribution, no
retaliation,
no rescue.
Servicemen and women wear the uniform of this country and leave their
families behind to fight for this country because they believe this
country
will come after them when they fall. I believe we broke this pledge to
Rich - and I hope we don't break this pledge to the three brave men who
are
now being held
My points are:
1. We must acknowledge whenever we commit American servicemembers
outside our shores, they will be subject to those who would harm them, whether
in combat or terrorist acts. They are Americans, and whether they are armed with multiple rocket
launchers, rubber bullets, or blue berets, nothing will disguise the
fact they are Americans. When taken, they are "prisoners of war."
2. We must not attach American troops to U.N. command and control. The U.N. was never designed to be a military force. Our military men and women join our armed forces to fight and defend our
country, our people, our flag, not the United Nations.
3. Only by publicly pursuing, relentlessly tracking down, and punishing
those who commit terrorist acts will we begin to deter them.
My book, Patriot Dreams, details my quest to get information and support
from the United States government and the United Nations. It portrays a
woman in crisis. It explores the schizophrenic conflict I faced - how
to
maintain my patriotism in the shadow of disappointment and seeming
betrayal
by our own government and the U.N.
The book has been published by the Marine Corps Association and is
immediately available by calling them at 1-888-BE-PROUD.
Higgins' Homepage
Robin Higgins
