Please read thru this, pls consider sending a card/treats and PLEASE PRAY FOR THIS WARRIOR’S FREEDOM! ~victoria
Friday, November 22, 2013
Do it for Michael Behenna
While
GITMO enemy combatants are freed only to go back to the killing fields
of jihad, our boys rot in prison for fighting these savages.
On March 20th, 2009, Army Ranger 1st
Lieutenant
Michael Behenna was sentenced to 25 years in prison for killing Ali
Mansur, a known Al Qaeda operative while serving in Iraq. Mansur was
known to be a member of an Al Qaeda cell operating in the lieutenant’s
area of operation and Army intelligence believed he organized an attack
on Lt. Behenna’s platoon in April 2008 which killed two U.S. soldiers
and injured two more. Army intelligence ordered the release of Mansur
and Lt. Behenna was ordered to return the terrorist to his home.
During
the return of Mansur, Lt. Behenna again questioned the Al Qaeda member
for information about other members of the terrorist cell, and financial
supporters. During this interrogation, Mansur attacked Lt. Behenna, who
killed the
terrorist in self-defense. The government subsequently prosecuted Lt.
Behenna for premeditated murder.
Not
only is this a miscarriage of justice on the behalf of Lt. Behenna, who
was acting to prevent further loss of life in his platoon, it is
demoralizing to the U.S. troops who continue to fight on behalf of the
freedom and security of our nation. Whether it is U.S. border patrol
agents, members of the armed forces, or FBI agents, no individual who is
serving on the frontlines in the War on Terror should be so blatantly
mistreated.
.......................................................
To the thousands of Michael supporters,
A
retired Army colonel recently told us that there are three things that
will change a person’s soul: war, prison, and the desert. These are
all things that Michael has experienced in the past five years. As for
the state of Michael’s soul we would say emphatically that it is at
peace. In fact that is what Michael told the reviewers at his first
Parole Hearing at the US Disciplinary Barracks (USDB) in Leavenworth on
October 22nd. Without qualification he has no bitterness or enmity
towards anyone for the unimaginable path he
has traveled. Instead he continues to read, study, and improve himself
as he looks forward to a future beyond prison walls. The USDB Board
Michael met with will make a recommendation to the full Army Clemency
and Parole Board in Washington DC. Hopefully, we will be scheduled to
represent Michael before the full Parole Board some time in December. We will know two weeks after the full Board Hearing as to whether Michael will receive Parole.
The
holidays are fast approaching. For most of us that means the hustle
and bustle of busy malls, Christmas music, and time with family and
friends. But for those like Michael who ‘celebrate’ the holidays behind
iron
bars there is a dark and heavy cloud of loneliness that is difficult to
fathom. Amid the smiles and laughter inside the packed visitation room
at Leavenworth there remains an unspoken sadness; the cruel knowledge
that when the clock strikes 4pm
families will exit out one door into the fresh air of freedom and the
inmates will exit out another door that takes them back to an unnatural
place, devoid of so much of what we consider human. One door represents
life, the other door represents death.
Like
life and death, grief and gratitude are blood brothers. One cannot
have one without the other. It is almost always the experience of
grieving what has been lost that makes us aware of how much we have to
be grateful for. So on this coming Thanksgiving day, as our family sits
between those two doors in the crowded visitation room at Leavenworth,
our hearts will be filled with gratitude for the blessing of sharing
time with those we love most on this earth. We will know that our time
is short, but it is that very knowledge that will help us appreciate it
even more.
Our
gratitude extends to all of you who have supported our son and our
family on this journey. May you each have a wonderful Thanksgiving that
is filled with a grateful heart and time spent with those you love.
Peace be with you all,
Scott & Vicki Behenna
P.S.
A note from Michael Behanna's parents -
Please
consider sending Michael a card, a letter, or even a money order (for
snacks and phone calls) during this upcoming holiday season. We promise
you it will make Michael’s day! Michael’s address
is:
Michael Behenna 87503
1300 N. Warehouse Road
Ft. Leavenworth, KS 66027-2304
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