President Jim Roberts on Iraq Medal of Honor Recipients

It is time we honor Iraq War veterans

American Veterans Center President James C. Roberts addresses the lack of Medal of Honor recipients among the veterans of the Iraq War. Roberts addresses the negligence and disregard of America’s veterans which unfortunately happens often.

Below is his opinion piece featured in Independent Journal:

“At a Senate hearing on March 3, 2016, Illinois Senator Mark Kirk revealed that 30-year-old Army veteran Tom Young, who served in Iraq, committed suicide last July after failing to reach someone on the VA’s suicide hotline; his call went straight to voicemail.
This story is one of many blatant examples of negligence and disregard of our veterans. The men a
nd women who pledged their life in service to our country deserve the very best this country can offer, yet so many are left uncared for. But unfortunately, the negligence doesn’t stop there.

In addition to inadequate care, many of these warriors are deprived of just recognition for their bravery, sacrifice and service; they have come home widely unacknowledged and under-appreciated, especially our Iraq War veterans.

This Friday is Medal of Honor Day, an annu
al holiday that (like Iraq War heroes) largely goes unnoticed. But this Medal of Honor Day is especially important because it marks the last of the current administration. Here in lies an opportunity to end on a high note and rectify past injustices.

It is time we honor our Iraq War veterans.

Two million, five hundred thousand soldiers served in Iraq and Afghanistan, yet there are only 11 living Medal of Honor recipients from those conflicts, and all of them served in Afghanistan. The four Medals of Honor given to Iraq War veterans were awarded posthumously, which means there is not one living Medal of Honor recipient for a war that ended just five years ago.

And it’s certainly not for lack of deserving candidates; there are many living soldiers, airmen and Marines who make for worthy recipients of the highest distinction.
Veterans such as Marine Corporal Javier Alvarez deserve consideration for this award. This young man sprinted toward danger in the point position in order to evacuate casualties. He was shot multiple times, refused to retreat, and stayed in the battle. After putting the 3rd magazine into his M16, this young corporal saw a grenade rolling toward his men. Corporal Alvarez, now on his back, rolled to grab the grenade and hurled it far from his men, saving 6 other Marines, but losing his dominant right hand in the process.

Marine Staff Sgt. Shannon Kay, now Captain Shannon Kay is responsible for saving the lives of seven Marines. He was manning a guard hatch in his Stryker vehicle when a suicide bomber sped toward his vehicle. Kay managed to shoot and kill the suicide bomber, but not before impact, leading to a massive fireball. Kay was badly wounded, bleeding with wounds to his head, arm and hands, as were 6 of his men as they continued to draw enemy fire in the form of mortar fire, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms.

Kay delayed medical treatment to evacuate the injured men and extinguish the fire on the Stryker vehicle. He then repaired his vehicle, using parts he had collected from other Stryker vehicles mid-fight. With his vehicle’s massive firepower restored, Staff Sgt. Shannon Kay killed all eight enemy combatants who fired the original RPG at his men.

Sadly, the Iraq War is the largest military operation since the Medal of Honor was established in 1863 to lack a single living recipient of our military’s highest award. And that is a disservice, not only to our veterans, but to our active soldiers and civilians as well.

A living Medal of Honor recipient is a powerful representation of bravery and a source of inspiration for active-duty soldiers and veterans alike. To our civilians, Medal of Honor recipients uniquely invoke pride and patriotism for our country. Additionally, Medal of Honor recipients can speak to veterans’ issues, like PTSD, with authority. Those awarded with this prestigious honor speak for their fellow veterans and help them in their recovery. This vacancy is a serious injustice plaguing the Iraq veterans.

The American Veterans Center highlights Iraq War Veterans so that others might be inspired by their sacrifice. These unsung heroes remain largely unknown to the American Public. The Medal of Honor is a way to document, by elevating and celebrating the acts of extraordinary heroes so that Americans can be reminded of their sacrifices. The Medal goes to a select few, but it is a balm to the soul and a source of pride to all who served in the same conflict.

To deny this honor is to disrespect all 1.5 million who served in the Iraq War, and a disservice to America as a whole.”