An Open Letter to Khizr Khan July 31, 2016
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: Army, DNC, Humayan, Kahn, Khizr, Muslims, Navy, Trump, USMC
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Please read “An Apology to Mr. Khan, Mrs. Smith & Gold Star Families”
Dear Mr. Khan,
I want to preface this letter by stating that I respect your son’s sacrifice for this great nation. By all accounts, he is a true hero that sacrificed himself in service to our country. For that I am thankful.
As a veteran, I watched your comments at the Democratic National Convention with a mixture of sadness, and anger. The United States has a military comprised of volunteers. Every single member has made the conscious choice to join the military and serve. There is not a single service member who has been forced into service. It is important for all service members (and apparently, their families) to understand that service to this great nation does not imbue one with special privileges or rights. I found your comments troubling when you said: “Have you ever been to Arlington cemetery? Go look at the graves of brave patriots who died defending the United States of America. You will see all faiths, genders and ethnicities. You have sacrificed nothing and no one.”
Does it matter whether Mr. Trump has sacrificed “…nothing and no one?”…has Ms. Clinton “..sacrificed” for this nation? How about Mr. Obama? Your comment stating that Mr. Trump “…has sacrifice no one” is alarming. Are you intimating that YOU sacrificed? Sir, your son willingly sacrificed himself. As a father I cannot imagine the pain you must feel but his sacrifice is his own. He was not forced to serve.
I am troubled that you would allow a party that has little more than contempt for the US Service Member to parade you into the DNC to denounce Donald Trump. Did you watch when protesters at the DNC booed and heckled Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Florent Groberg? Did you notice your party interrupting the moment of silence for slain police officers? Your own hypocrisy in not denouncing these acts and instead using the DNC as a platform to make a political point is disgraceful. The simple fact is that whether one served or sacrificed does not give greater power to their statements. One vote is as valuable as another. That sir, is why our Country is great. Your condemnation of one person for a statement while standing idly as your party disparages veterans and police officers is the height of hypocrisy.
To conflate the need to prevent potential terrorists from entering our country with the belief that ‘all Muslims’ should be banned is simply wrong and disingenuous. As a reminder, Mr. Trump said: ” “Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in Jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life,” The irony of your son’s own death at the hands of these very people in Iraq should not be ignored. I have little doubt that your son would have recognized the need to protect our country from these very people. In fact, he held is own troops back so that he could check on a suspicious car. Your son understood sacrifice and how to protect “his people”…’his soldiers’….’his fellow Americans’…
As you continue to make the media circuit and bask in the glow of affection cast upon you by a party that has little regard for your son’s own sacrifice, and veterans in general, I would ask you to consider your comments and your position more closely.
Respectfully,
Chris Mark
US Marine and Navy Veteran.
Global Security, Privacy, & Risk Management 
Outstanding
Wow! Thank you. You said what I was thinking. Your message is right on!
Tom O’Neill
Fact is when you sign with the Mil you are owned by the Mil. It’s just not for college tuition. It’s a sacrifice you learn very quickly. The only generation of parents that can bitch about there boys being KIA and MIA is that of the Vietnam war and the draft. They were forced to go to war or go to jail or run north. Freedom comes at a price If you chose to aign the dotted line then prepair to do the work your signed up for. My dad died at 83 and he was Corp and Country until his last day.
Well said and the first to mention the distinction between earlier conflicts and now. Since the all volunteer force, it is a conscious decision to enter the military. If the person entering, or their family, does not understand that the ultimate sacrifice may be required, then they should not join. Yes, I am retired mil. Entered willingly during Vietnam and retired shortly after the first Gulf war. I cannot imagine the pain of losing a loved one, regardless of their status. My son is active duty now – 16 years. Deployed 12 different times. I pray I never lose him, but if I do, I know that he chose this path, not once, but multiple times. Yes, I would undoubtedly be filled with incomprehensible grief at the time, but I can also say immense pride. American used to mean believing in something larger than oneself, and taking responsibility for ones own actions. It seems that concept is no longer in the lexicon for so many people. But I know for my son, it is. And the good that results from that attitude as opposed to the “me-me-me” attitude is what still gives some of us hope for the future.
As for the Khan’s son – I salute the warrior brother/brotherhood. As for the parent’s, I am truly sorry for your loss. As for attempt to politicize your son’s chosen profession and death – shame on you.
Chris Mark. Right ON. Well said.
and why I respect all my brothers and sisters in the service. we all chose to serve.. nobody made us. nobody braver than he who stands up on his own accord for what he believe in.
Well done, Sir.
Much respect
Thank you Chris.
Trump 2016
Thank you for this letter sir!! You are completely right!! Thank you sir for your services!! May GOD bless you!!
Chris Mark clearly understands what is happening! I pray that Mr. Kahn understands that the DNC cares nothing for his loss but are happy to use him for their political gain. His son was a true American Hero.
Outstanding letter. I am also a veteran and could not agree more. We all lost a brother when their son lost his life serving his country. But I cannot support a party that leaves Americans behind when they damn well could have been saved.
Capitan Khan was a war hero who was killed in action. His heroism doesn’t vindicate his fathers activities or irrational rant.
Edward”Butch” O’Hare was a World War II Hero for whom O’Hare Airport in Chicago is named. He was killed in the Gilbert Islands in 1943. This doesn’t mean that his father “Easy Eddie,” lawyer, Chicago gangster, partner of Al Capone deserved any of the respect and honor due his son. . Easy Eddie did turn on Capone and helped the IRS put him away.
I am not comparing Mr. Khan or his law practice with that of “Easy Eddie.” My comment is to say that parents should not use their children or expect because of the accomplishments and sacrifices of their offspring.
As an Air Force veteran, I respect and value the sacrifices of all our military members…especially those who gave their lives for our freedoms.
However, it is wrong for politicians to use the parents of our fallen heroes as pawns to manipulate votes by pressing people’s emotional buttons. Voters should focus on real issues that will make their lives better, NOT on emotional trigger issues.
Great letter Mr. Mark!
Mark
Thank you for your letter. You neglect to mention either by choice or just forgot it. The message from Mr Kahn was the fact that his son a Muslim would not have served under a Trump administration. Was it not Trump that said live on television that we would kill all Muslims including women and children? Are you paying attention to the person that you seem to support? He has insulted everything and everyone and that is just this month alone. He kept money from your Vets, insulted the hero MaCAin and now he has included Mr Ryan and yes Mr John MacCain.
Thank you Chris Mark, YOU are a “True American”
Wow. You’re actually saying the Khans were too stupid to realize they were used? Seriously? You’re an idiot.
You’ve been indoctrinated into the gaseous swill that is Donald Trump and you have the audacity to say this couple’s dead son basically did it to himself.
You’re despicable.
Oh. Yeah. Thanks for your service… if you’re even close to truthful about your background.
My DDD214 is online. I am.
Perfectly and beautifully said.
Thank you so much an God Bless You! My daughter serves in the US Army- her choice and we are so proud of her! Mr. Trump may not have all the answers but I believe his heart to be true. As for the Dem candidate Ms. Clinton, she cannot be trusted. She is lying today to the atrocities of Benghazi and I believe she could care less about our military! The media is no good. People need to read between the lines. Thank you again!
VERY WELL SAID, NO COMMENTS JUST WATCH CLINTON CASH N AMERICA HILLARY’S .
I very sorry for your loss. I to servedbut I will say this and I am sorry to tell you this , The Democratic party is using you and your family’s loss to pull at the heart strings of america. Hillary Clinton doesn’t care about your son. Look at what happened in Benghazi. I know , Hillary doesn’t want to tell about that. But the sad thing is…… Great people just like your son lost their lives not because of being heroic like your son but, because Hillary Clinton did not do her job as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton did not tell are military to move in instead told them to stand down people lost their lives.
Well said Chris, thank you for your service.
Great letter!! Needed to be said!!
I agree 100% with Chris Mark. I appreciate this man’s son’s sacrifice, but the Democrat party is just using the father. If you want to know how devoted to our troops or anyone else, just review what her actions were in response to the requests for aid in Bengazi. (sp?). SEMPER FI.!!!
Amen well said.Mr Khan is a political attack dog.Saudi regime and DNC in cohoots
Awesome response!
[…] Source: An Open Letter to Khizr Khan […]
I believe that this Chris Mark has a right to his opinion, but I totally disagree with his comments and believe Mr. Khan was speaking from his heart and truthfully.
I have no respect for the GOP nominee that has repeatedly over the course of the his campaign lied and made hateful comments. Trump is so not qualified to be the President of the United States.
Carolyn Powers
Chris Mark, I don’t agree with what you wrote in your letter but I am glad to see how you treat people with respect, even those with whom you do not agree, and especially the touching comment written by Coleen Shin who lost a father in uniform. We need more of that respect and dialogue in America. So thanks you and God Bless you for the brave things you have done for our great nation.
Thank you Chris!
God Bless America and all of our military that have and continue to provide us with freedom and protection. I will be so damn glad when this election is over. It keeps getting uglier and causing more animosity then what should be created.
Well said- Chris Mark.
(I thank you for your service)
[…] My final note is to direct you to this awesome piece from Ray Starmann and this one from Chris Mark. […]
Your son was not forced to fight for this country, and we thank him for his sacrifice. But you have allowed yourself and your wife to be used by Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party. Also, you are working to get more immigrants coming here from Middle East countries that want American’s killed, and you are working with the Muslim Brotherhood, which has terrorist ties.
The Dem. Party by their actions have shown contempt for our military.When cameras aren’t around Hillary herself is hateful towards them. She assumes and rightly so.They don’t respect her either. Let’s lay the truth out. This man that lost his son is being used because so many military willpick Trump .He’s used because the survivors of Bengazi know she was conjoring up a coverup before the battle was over.A video with Mohammed as the joke was her stupid choice.When they’re through with him he too will be cast to the side.She’s proven no lie is too big no crime to small to prevent her from becoming the Criminal in Chief! With the law and God ignorance is not an acceptable defense. Trump nay be a criminal too.He’s not proven he’s immoral .She has many times.God forgive us if we vote for her.
What Mr Khan failed to also mention is that his law firm makes millions in representing in majority Myslims to enter America! ( see Drudge Report 8-2-2016). He also forgot to mention his association with the Clinton foundation and their law firm! So what Mr Khan did was to dishonor his son’s sacrifice by contriving a parental concern that was rooted in greed!
D.P.DaCosta
Well done, Chris Mark. Mr. Khan was completely out of line and Donald Trump only responded in kind to a vicious public attack on him at the democrat convention last week.
To have Mr. Khan use his son’s death as battering ram to assault Mr. Trump shows that he is either a naive pawn that was used by the DNC or just plain spiteful in attacking someone with whom he disagrees with politically. Either way, he’s in the wrong here.
You can’t hurl rocks and then ask for shelter when those rocks come hurtling back at you, Mr. Khan. You are a disgrace to your son’s memory.
Responding to Mr. Khan’s message isn’t a bad idea if only graced with truth. The truth and reality I bring out here, most particularly, when an experienced persin like you Mike misinforms society and the entire world.
It is a notorious fact that after the breakdown of the cold war, several functionaries of either side vecame exposed to various sophisticated weapons with much ease. That is how the likes of Bin Laden, a US ally during the cold war, broke off and went on their own frolics and began causing havoc globally. Sadam Hussien too was a US ally purposed at taming Iranian fundamentalist whi used religion to forcefully attempt change the world order of givernance. He went over board wgen he massacred his fellow Iraqis, the Khuds and when he attacked Kuwait another US ally. The attacks on Sadam Hussien and Bin Laden were to end by destruction of what had been created by this alliance.
ISIS and its alliance is a misguided group of disgrunted fellows a residue of the Isreali-Palistine conflict; the Iran – Iraqi war; dictatorship, misrule and lack of democratic process of governance in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and parts of Europe and American continent.
These situations were not and are not a result of the Obama administration. He, as other US Presidents inherited the situations. The difference is how to contain such. Which the Obama administration has progressively done by mimimizing the casuality rates of US personnel and targeting of leaders of such disgruntled groups in addition to shelling out, by air raids, command posts and operational strongholds of such groups. The result speaks for itself. What the world is experincing now is what I call “the kick of a dying horse”. Whosoever falls along the “firing line” of such last kicks, suffers consequences as it has been in Europe, etc of late. That in itself neither implies nor suggests nor concludes that ISIS and company are succeeding and progressively making headway.
So for a politician, basically without any idea and/or briefing of military formation, operation and conduct, to assert conclusively that, no progress has been made for last seven or eight years in dealing with the elimination of such groups, is but a misconceived person. To assertively conclude that the US government has done nothing and that the US military is getting weaker is not only illogical and ignorance of the highest order, but an abuse to all US personnel and those worldwide that jointly participated in operations to curb such evil, with such intensity of cruelity and hatred.
Such character, motive and purpose can neither rule the US nor ensure a peaceful world order.
What is omitted is the dire need for the US to distance as much as possible from all forms.of dictatorship, misrule and undemocratic societies so that its allies in Europe, Asia and elsewhere take note and follow suit.
Then shall the world experience peaceful order and change of governments thus grossly minimizing the need for immigrants from such countries crossing over into the US, Europe, Japan, Australia, etc.
I rest.my case with a prayer that God opens our eyes of understanding so that together, we make a peaceful world habitable by all irrespective of race or color or origin.
You Mr. Kahn are a fraud.
Chris, Thank you very much for your service and thanks to all Marines that made my civil service in war torn countries safe . If it were not for you all, I would not have made my missions safely. Notwithstanding the fact that all of us choose to serve, the sacrifices that Mr. Khan is more than likely talking about, is the now absence of his son. This is an emotion that cannot be measured, uttered or spelled out to all to understand. I am a mother of three boys, served in Iraq for seven years, and two in Afghanistan, I chose to serve, but the choice I also made has in fact cost my children the absence of me with them all these years. The pain and suffering my children endured is immeasurable and cannot simply be weighed against a Billionaire life style that Trump lives by- I think Mr. Khan was trying to say, hey Trump, you don’t realized the feelings that we all go through, hence, rightly asking, “what sacrifices have you made”. Further, Trump should be smart enough to respond amicably and give examples that would level the field.. after all, Trump is putting himself out there in the open and people are asking on the inside.
And the Republican party does care about our veterans? That must be why they’ve pushed all those bills during the last eight years to make sure our veterans receive the best care possible. I will agree in general that neither party has done enough, but it is the Republican party that is unwilling to allocate dollars to help. Not even Ted Cruz. And Donald Trump insulted John McCain – how can you give him a pass on that?. You say Democrats don’t care – give some specifics, because I just don’t see it.
Thank you Chris. As a Navy Veteran I feel the same way.
Any person who votes for Trump should go and get their I Q checked!! This man nothing!!!
Sad and pathetic words from a sad white privileged boy who joined the good old boy system and has gone through nothing like Mr. Khan or his son did. You’re white, you have not experienced what we have as Muslims in the military, just like you’ll never know what blacks, hispanics, and other races have to go through. So, please keep your opinion to yourself.
“priveldged”…hmmm…I can assure you I was not. Racism is alive and well with you.
Wonderful Letter…..GBU.
Donald Trump has suggested that ALL Muslims be banned from entering the USA. He has suggested that ALL Muslims within the USA be registered and monitored by the Government. If that Fascist Rhetoric doesn’t give you pause, I don’t think you understand the core values of what it means to be an American. In America we follow some very simple precepts. One of those is “The Freedom of Religion.” We do not give people a Religious Test to see who should be excluded from the USA or registered within our borders and monitored. This goes beyond NATIONAL SECURITY! This goes to the very heart of who we are as a County. Khizr Khan had every RIGHT to wave the Constitution in Donald Trump’s face. Because what Donald Trump is suggesting is UNCONSTITUTIONAL! It is Anti-American! It is gross and disgusting.
Look. ISIS wants the USA to believe it is in a War with ALL Muslims. But it’s not. There are 3.5 Million American Muslims. And the vast majority of them are loyal patriots, willing to serve and even die for our Country, to protect our core values, like Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion! By saying that ALL Muslims should be banned from entering the USA and registered and monitored, Donald Trump is claiming that we are at war with ISLAM! We simply are not. But that is what ISIS wants us to believe! So why the HELL is Donald Trump advocating the rhetoric of TERRORISTS! Why the HELL has Donald Trump given in to fear and taken the coward’s route. By giving in to fear and pointing a finger of suspicion at all Muslims, Donald Trump seeks to divide the USA with fear. Donald Trump is a coward and a fear-monger. He wants to sow distrust and fear to gain power for himself. He wants to build walls, not just along our southern border, but between each other as citizens. And that is not who we are as a people! We are braver than that. We are stronger than that. We are Americans!
Donald Trump’s reaction to being criticized by the Khan Family was to lash out and mock their religion. He suggested that Ghazala Khan didn’t speak because she was prevented to speak as a Muslim Woman, not because she was overcome with grief. I watched Khizr Kahn’s speech. I saw Ghazala Khan at his side, trying desperately to remain composed and not break down. One of the things that made his speech so effective was the fact you could plainly see the pain and heartache on Ghazala Khan’s face. That was clearly evident to any rational person with even an ounce of empathy. But it was not clear to Donald Trump. What does that say about what kind of man he is? What does it say, when Trump’s first reaction to a speech is to attack the very silence of a grieving Gold Star Mother?
Why would you defend that, sir? Why would offer up a defense of an attack on our core values as a Nation by Donald Trump? Why would offer up a defense of Donald Trump’s fear-mongering and cowardice? Why would offer up a defense of his attack on the grief of a Gold Star Mother? Think! Look into your heart. Read the Constitution if you have to. But what you are doing here is wrong.
Well said. Thank you for insightful comments.
You’ve got to be kidding … no wonder Trump has so much support. What Khan is highlighting is that as a proud American his son gave his life for his country. If trump was president he wouldn’t even be an American. Full stop. Argument over. Nobody doubts that every man and woman in the American military is a volunteer – I did 12 years in the British military as a volunteer – but that’s NOT what Khan is highlighting. He lost his son, who died willingly in the service of HIS country, enough said
All you brainwashed people that are responding to this negatively need to brush up on research. This whole Khan Family, Gold Star Family narrative is being pushed by VoteVets.org which is a “progrssive” Political Action Committee funded by George Soros and other Corporate liberal backers. This VoteVets.org is the same ground that ran attack ads against John McCain. Read there press releases. This group uses veterans as political pawns and attack dogs daring GOP candidates to respond should they can get all you armchair patriots in an uproar by claiming the candidate is attacking veterans.
Chris Mark is expressing the sentiments of a lot of veterans who feel it is wrong for a bunch of elitist to use our service for their political gain. Don’t be monkeys. Realize you are being hoodwinked by the academic, media and political class. You will never have a chance to empower yourselves if you are afraid to exercise your right to vote to disrupt the system. Stop trusting people who smile and make you feel good with their words. Stop and listen to what they are saying instead. Listen closely to what they don’t say.
Very Well Said Chris Mark!
Thank You To Our Whole Military, You are a Very Special group.of Men & Women that we are so proud of Every day! We can’t Thank you enough for our Freedom and your sacrifice’s. Proud to be an American!!!
.Mr.& Mrs. Kahn, Your son was a hero and we thank him too, for his brave heart.and to all the families with their sacrifice and losses.
Bless America and keep us all Safe!
I got that same feeling.there have been many more than one and very few have pointed out anyone for doing what came to them naturally.This man’s son made the altimeter sacrifice for his country,with thousands more,that were never mentioned.why blindside someone with you grieving.
God bless you for this wonderful essay, Chris mark! Mister Khan set out to do a hatchet job for whoever sent him, without true knowledge of what he was getting himself into.
Having said that, I will also like to know if Khan has EVER sharply criticized radical Islam with the same vigor he is deploying to join the US presidential campaign. Let him get up and tell us, and with evidence.
[…] I wrote an ‘Open Letter’ to Mr. Khizr Khan that generated quite a bit of controversy. I had referenced that Captain Khan’s sacrifice […]