F.J. TAYLOR (USMC Ret.) – Muslims in the Military (Re: Womick)

Rep. Womick,

I read with disgust your appalling comments on Muslims in the military. During my years in the Marines (which included close personal ground combat), I served with a number of Muslims, some from other countries, and some who were natives of the US.

They performed their duties in an exemplary manner, being well-disciplined, orderly, mannerly, obedient to orders, conscientious in the execution of their duties, and courageous in action — and all performed at least as well as (and in some cases better than) their counterparts of other faiths. I would have absolutely no misgivings about serving with them again in garrison or combat.

I must remind you that the Constitution which we both swore to uphold and defend specifically forbids religious discrimination. Since you seem to have forgotten the Constitution (or perhaps your oath), let me remind you of the relevant passages:

“. . . no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.”   (Article VI, Section III)

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . .”  (1st Amendment)

That means, sir, that we are a secular nation, but one in which all religions are equal, and free to practice — and before you start trying to tell me that we are a “Christian” nation, and that the Founders were all Christians and never expected us to tolerate other religions and cultures, let me remind you of the words of Mr. Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration of Independence on just that subject. Writing in his Autobiography about the passage of the Bill Establishing Religious Freedom in Virginia, he said:

“…a singular proposition proved that it’s protection of opinion was meant to be universal. Where the preamble declares that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed, by inserting the word ‘Jesus Christ,’ so that it should read ‘a departure from the plan of Jesus Christ, the holy author of our religion,’ the insertion was rejected by a great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mahometan, the Hindoo, and infidel of every denomination.”

James Madison, the principal author of the Constitution (and known as the “Father of the Constitution” expressed a similar sentiment when describing the same incident.

( How’s that for “original intent”? )

I also attach below for your enlightenment a fact sheet of Muslims who have served honorably and well in the American Armed Forces, a history which goes all the way back to the Revolution. I charge you to read it, and especially look at the tombstones of those men who have been KIA and received decorations for valor — and then tell their widows and families why they were unfit to wear the uniform.

I remain,

Semper Fidelis,

F. J. Taylor
USMC (Ret.)

http://sites.google.com/site/usmccaposcar

Muslim and Arab-Americans in US History

During the years of the slave trade, as many as 20% of West African slaves brought to North America were Muslim.

Some of the Black servicemen in the Continental Army were Muslims, the first known being Peter Salem (aka Salem Poor), a slave who earned his freedom by enlisting. He took part in the battle of Concord, and later enlisted in Captain Drury’s company of Colonel John Nixon’s regiment of the 6th Massachusetts Regiment. He served with his regiment in the Battle of Bunker Hill, where he is said to have fired the shot that killed British Marine Major John Pitcairn. Salem reenlisted in 1776, and fought at Saratoga and Stony Point.

Private Nathan Badeen, a Syrian immigrant, became the first Arab-American to die for this country on May 23rd, 1776.

Other soldiers of Muslim origins who fought in the Revolutionary War, including Yusuf Ben Ali (aka Joseph Benenhali or Benhaley), who served with General Sumter in South Carolina. After the war, General Sumter took Yusuf with him inland to Stateburg, and his name appears in the 1790 census of Sumter County. There was also a “Bampett Muhamed” who was a Corporal in the Revolutionary Army, from 1775-1783 in Virginia. Francis Saba was listed as a sergeant with the Continental Troops in roll 132, 1775-1783, and Joseph Saba was listed as a Fifer in the Continental Troops roll 132, 1775-1783.

More than 12,000 Muslims served in World War II, including:

Hassein Ahmed, KIA (Army, WWII)
Ibrahim Muhammad KIA (Navy, WWII)

Mahir Hasan KIA, (Army, Korea)

Abul Fateh Umar Khan, KIA (Air Force, Korea).

Today, nearly 15,000 Muslims serve in the US Armed Forces, under situations of conflicting loyalties and misunderstanding both by their non-Muslim colleagues as well as other Muslims. “We don’t have to prove anything,” said Imam Ghayth Nur Kashif, a Korean War veteran and former counselor for the Muslim American Military Association. “Many of us were born here so it’s really kind of an insult for people to question are you an American.”

Colonel Douglas Burpee is the highest ranking Muslim officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. Now in his 23rd year of military service, Colonel Burpee recently returned from flying helicopters in Afghanistan.
“Everyone knows I’m a Muslim. When I fly, attached to my dog tags, I wear a pendant with a passage from the Koran,” he says. “I try to set a good example based upon what I believe…. I can be a soldier and a Muslim at the same time. I have no problem with that. These people who commit terrorism have just adopted the face of Islam – nothing they say or do have anything to do with Islam.  The Taliban is a terrorist organization – they are bad people doing bad things and they’ve attached religion to it. They are ruthless when it comes to killing people, but that’s how you move helpless people around – you use fear.”

Sergeant Youseff Mandour of the U.S. Army immigrated to America from Morocco at the age of 17 and joined the army at age 22, and did 12 months in Iraq.

“I’m fighting for a better life and a belief in freedom,” he says. “I had a chance to get involved. I learned the English language and appreciate everything this country has given to me. That’s why I joined the Army. The U.S. is doing great things.”

Sergeant Mandour takes special offense at the terrorists who murder in the name of his faith. “The war on terror is not about Islam. This is a war against criminals who use religion to say they are good people, but they’re no better than the Mafia. They’re just common criminals, many with criminal records … It was great that I got to use my training against people who tried to kill us and who tried to give a wrong idea about my religion.”

(From an article in the NY Sun By John P. Avlon,  April 21, 2006:  http://www.nysun.com/opinion/muslims-in-the-military/31393 )

Gordon England (Dep. SecDef), with APAAM (Association of Patriotic Arab-Americans in the Military) founder Marine GYSGT Jamal Baadani.

Mahmoud El-Yousef, a retired technical Sergeant with the Ohio Air National Guard, sent an open letter to America. “Dear America, I am an Arab American, but a proud American just like you. Like anybody else, I don’t always agree with our government polices, but don’t be quick to judge me and call me names. On that dreadful day, September 11th, my duffel bag was already packed and I was waiting to answer the call of duty. Why was I ready? I also want a better and safer America just like you. When it comes to patriotism and loyalty, I am red, white and blue, just like you.”

El-Youssef recalled how his life totally changed after he came to America as a Palestinian refugee in 1977. He says he was treated with dignity and respect and felt he had to show his gratitude to his new country.

He fought a legal battle to join the U.S. military in 1984 after an argument with an Army recruiter. When El-Youssef told the recruiter he was a U.S. citizen, but was born in Palestine, “He said, ‘I am sorry, you have to be born in the U.S.'” El-Youssef recalls the recruiter told him to ask his representative in Congress, so he did – and was enlisted shortly thereafter.

El-Youssef speaks fluent German, English, and Arabic, and served for ten years before joining the Ohio National Guard. Two years ago, shortly before he retired from the Guard, his eldest son enlisted in the U.S Army and served in Iraq.

Army Spc. Omead Razani, son of Iranian immigrants, died in Iraq.

Marine Staff Sgt. Kendall Damon Waters-Bey, killed in a helicopter crash on his way to duty in Iraq.

Army Spc. Rasheed Sahib – Died May 18, 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom

CPT Humayun S. M. Khan, USA (Muslim), KIA by an IED June 8, 2004, Iraq.  Bronze Star, Purple Heart

On June 8, CPT Khan died in a suicide car bombing at the main gates of his base. CPT Khan was an ordnance officer with the Germany-based 201st Forward Support Battalion, 1st Infantry Division. His unit was charged with the day-to-day security and maintenance of the camp.

When an orange-colored taxi drove toward them, Khan, suspecting a possible bomber, ordered his soldiers to “hit the dirt,” said his father, who received details of his son’s death from his commanding officer.

Khan then walked toward the car, motioning for it to stop, his father said. A makeshift bomb inside it exploded, killing him and two Iraqi civilians in addition to the two suicide bombers. Ten soldiers and six Iraqi citizens were also wounded.

SSG Ayman A. Taha, USA (Muslim), KIA Dec. 30, 2005, Iraq.  Bronze Star, Purple Heart

Major James M. Ahearn, USA (and a Muslim, by conversion). KIA by an IED July 5, 2007, Baghdad.  Bronze Star, Purple Heart

Major Ahearn was 43 years old and on his third tour of duty. He fought in Gulf I and rose from enlisted man to officer. During the battle to secure Baghdad, he received several medals for bravery. When he was KIA, he had been charged with developing relationships with Iraqi civilians.  He was a mature soldier who was convinced that he understood what was at stake in the war.  He left his wife, Lena, and a daughter, Kadi, and his father, Jim,  a retired FBI agent who headed the Phoenix office.

CPL Kareem R. S. Khan, USA (Muslim), KIA by an IED Aug. 6, 2007, Iraq.  Bronze Star, Purple Heart