A Note To Rep. Chris Van Hollen

Representative Van Hollen, while I am not one of your constituents, I do appreciate the frequent updates I receive from you pertaining to requests for donations to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

I received one such email from you just today, February 8, 2010 concerning the passing of Pennsylvania’s Representative John Murtha. My condolences to his family.

In your email you claimed, “America has lost a patriotic veteran” and “Congressman Murtha worked to ensure that our men and women in uniform and their families had the support and resources they deserve.”

Did you forget when Rep. Murtha accused a squad of United States Marines of “cold blooded murder” in the Haditha case?

The last I heard, 7 of the 8 accused have been acquitted with the 8th still waiting for trial. Is that what you classify as “ensuring that our men and women in uniform and their families have the support and resources they deserve?”

He refused to even apologize to them as it was seen how wrong he was.

Did you somehow forget, or just ignore, Rep. Murtha’s involvement in the ABSCAM Bribery Scandal?

Through his lengthy congressional career, Murtha found political controversy easy to come by.

I can understand you grieving the loss of a friend and fellow Democrat. Although I imagine he left his family well off, I do extend my condolences to them and feel they too have a right to grieve the loss of a loved one.

What bothers me most, Representative Van Hollen is that we saw some very brave men pass on this past year. We saw Ed Freeman, Robert Howard, Lewis Millet, James Swett, George Wahlen, Russell Dunham and I’m sure more that didn’t make the news, much less any extensions of condolence from either the leadership of the Democratic party or the Republican Party.

What is truly the saddest part is that I seriously doubt neither you nor the average American could name what is significant about any one of the men listed without looking them up.

Representative Van Hollen, go ahead and grieve for losing a friend. Send out an email to draw sympathy and maybe even donations for your party. Dance on his grave if you please to gain support for legislation you favor.

But please, extend some recognition for those who have served their country in ways neither you, nor Jack Murtha and very few Americans can even imagine, recipients of the Medal of Honor, our highest Military Award for bravery above and beyond the call of duty.

These men are the bravest of the brave. John Murtha was just an elected official.

The heroes listed were true American heroes deserving of much more than any elected official receives.

Their sacrifices are more deserving than any made by Jack Murtha and yet, you could not bring yourself to send out any notice declaring, “America has lost a patriotic Veteran” at any of their passing.