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 
Mr. Khan’s point was about Trump’s ignorance of the First Amendment and bigotry, which disrespects his fallen son. He referred to his son’s sacrifice (not his own) in contrast to Trump’s lack of sacrifice. Whether Hillary ever sacrificed for the country has nothing to do with Mr. Khan’s point. Hillary did not insult and disrespect an entire religion including those who died in service to the country. Furthermore, who would be more appropriate to speak of his son’s sacrifice than the father?
Mr. Kramer, please read my newly published ‘apology’. I have read hundreds of comments on the subject and my views on sacrifice were my own and now I realize that they do not reflect those of many families. Thanks for commenting.
Thanks for that clarity in that point. This letter was a really interesting response, respectful and thoughtful, thank you for writing it. I might not agree with every word of it, but overall it was really terrific to hear your point of view. Thank you 🙂
Security is not bigotry. Khan is just another useful idiot to push the ” Trump is a bigot” FALSE NARRATIVE.. KHAN IS A TOOL FOR HILLARY’S CON .
and so is the crying baby. He was planted by Hillary. Get real people.
You have stated the feeling of this #Veteran and #GoldStatFamily dad! Thank you mighty kindly!
This guy is a knucklehead. And he knows what that means. My husband is a retired Marine that means he actually was in it to win it. 21 years. And he is disgusted by Trump. This man was trying to remind our country that his son in particular and those like him gave up his life for this great country but in turn Trump would discourage this very same young man trying to come into the country today. Trump and his words alone are building walls in the hearts of those who are trying to live the American dream but instead to be so disenfranchised that they in fact would be right for recruitment elsewhere. What a fool. This man this father begged America not to fall prey to this rhetoric. And he called Trump out in it. Trumps response to include making fun of the wife and their religion. Good job. As for the knucklehead in this article just because you’re Marine doesn’t make you smart or enlightened
I would echo that comment and add “Marine wife”.
Thank you Chris, great letter!
Thank you Chris for your words and your service to this great country. I pray for Mr Khan and all service men ,women and their families. God bless you
I think you missed the point. Anyone who lays their life on the line for strangers deserve the utmost respect, and their families who grieve the loss should also receive that respect. Mr. Khan was the perfect spokesman for Americans who like him and his family came to our great nation and made it better. Trump has bashed everyone, he makes general statement against Muslims, Hispanics, Women, the list goes on and on. His comment about McCain not being a hero because he was caught in war, seriously. I don’t agree with the Democratic Party on many issues just like many Americans who are not happy with what is currently happening in our political system and the election process, but I am an American, who thanks to the sacrifice of our great military and officers enjoy the freedom to have my voice be heard. I am not promoting anyone but if you as a proud American can seriously listen to Donald Trump spew his venom and idiotic comments, see how he conducts his business and runs his life and feel that he is capable of being the commander and chief of our great nation I have to question your judgement. With all due respect.
First let me say thank you for you service. Seems you lived long enough to come home. If you truly believe that the Kahn family has not sacrificed and lost their son to war then I pity you. As family members die protecting our rights you stand in support of a draft dodger FYI mean not willingly serving but having Daddy get you out of it not once but multiple times. Hilary never dodged the draft nor did Obama. Biden and his sons have all served.
I agree with Chris Mark’s comments. There is no greater sacrifice than one’s life and I cannot imagine the pain of losing a beloved son. But like you, I do not understand how Mr. Khan’s grief and sorrow and anger turned into blame which was then directed at Donald Trump. Unlike the mother at the RNC convention who lost her son at Benghazi and blamed Hillary Clinton personally for her son’s death, I believe Mr. Khan’s anger was misplaced. Trump was against going into Iraq and had that happened, his son would be alive. Hillary Clinton supported going into Iraq. Also, if Mr. Khan’s anger was due to Donald Trump’s position on vetting Muslims and not allowing radical Islamic terrorists into the US, Mr. Khan, his wife and his son would have eventually all been allowed entry. Either way, I do not understand Mr. Khan’s insulting comments directed toward Trump. Questioning whether Trump had been to Arlington cemetery or read the constitution were made no sense. If anyone should be charged with the death of any American soldier, it is Hillary Clinton. She had the power to help those in Benghazi and failed to provide adequate security and support to ambassador Stevens (also a friend) and those marines manning the embassy. Any family who was then lied to by Hillary Clinton about why their loved one died, has every right to be angry and to blame Mrs.Clinton for that death. Mr. Khan was used by the DNC which has no great affection for the military as evidenced by its treatment of Capt. Groberg. I was disappointed with Trump’s response to Khan’s comments, but I understand his frustration. In the future, I hope Trump will either use more tact or not respond at all. This has now become a distraction. Trump needs to refocus and move on. If he apologized to the Khan family for his insensitive comments, he could just move on. It would certainly be more than what Hillary Clinton would ever do. That would have gone a long way to help those family members who lost their loved ones at Benghazi. I guess it’s just easier to deny everything and then lie, lie, lie.
Sorry, but you are so wrong. I understand you are a Republican, but blaming Hillary is unfair and not supported by evidence. Trump has done nothing but stir hatred. I, personally, find that worthy of attack. Trump saying he had made sacrifices? Which? Suffered divorce to get a younger model? What were his sacrifices? Ask Trump University enrollers. If there is a God, Trump will be in jail before January 20th.
Thank you, Chris – great letter!
Donald Trump invited this response. The Khan’s are public figures now and as such must bear such asinineg comments such as yours. Have the Khan’s sacrificed? Yes.
I’m not American but I am grateful for the soldiers who make that sacrifice to protect us. However, it was the Republican Party who sent you guys to an unjustified war and have created a huge mess in the world today. I’m not saying I would support Hillary Clinton but trumps temperament and comments should be a good indication that he wouldn’t hesitate to send more young men to their deaths because he’s irrational. Look at how hecreactscwhen someone insults him. How do you think he’ll react when another country offends him or does something america doesn’t agree with.
I was just watching a video of Berlin right after the Second World War, a city demolished because their own leader who they supported was angry at a certain race and wanted to bring back glory to his country. I watched these people living I ruins and surrounded by Stalin posters, and thought of how unnecessary that wholeness was, created by one man who was supported by his own people. America, you need to stop thinking with your emotions only. Know that facts and don’t forget the lessons from history.
Chris,
I am always humbled at the remarkable men and women who choose to serve in our armed forces.
I agree on point with your assessment.
Thanks for your service and ongoing leadership.
May God bless the folks in the Armed Services and may God Bless the USA.
Trapper-After reading all of the remarks i find we have some real blind people out there.Really don’t matter if they are Democrat or Republican–there blind to what the country is becoming if let to go unattended.We have had crooks running our government as far back as the Bushes up to the present and there goal has been nothing but to over throw our government from with in.Maybe for some of you it would be wise to take a long second look!!
Chris, Thank you very much for your service and thanks to all Marines that made my civil service in war torn countries . 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 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.
I’m still waiting for the open letter to Donald addressing his response to the Khan Family. I am assuming that as a veteran you were also angry at his comments about Mrs Khan. How dare he disrespect the mother of a fallen soldier! Awaiting Your unbiased and well educated opinion; Or am I making an assumption of such
Maybe I should spend my hours wiling away writing letters to everyone? C’mon..if you are so enraged why don’t you do something?
Chris Mark – You speak for all we Patiots. Trump Speaks Truth.
Moslems can NOT be trusted. Khan practices Sharia Law and promotes Islamic Supremacy. Trump was correct. His wife is not permitted to speak in public. Hmmm…who really is promoting a “War on Women”?
Methinks it is the Democrats who are bought and paid for by Islamist Dollars.
Khan practices Taqiyya. (The Koran approves Moslems to Lies to we Infidels & Kafirs). Khan will not call out Islamic terrorism and he will not call it Genocide they employ. Trump is 100% correct to BAN Moslem Immigration to the USA.
TAQIYYA – a Moslem can deny his faith or commit otherwise illegal or blasphemous acts, specially while they are in fear or at risk of significant persecution. They are commanded to LIE to we the Infidel and Kafir!
It’s interesting to hear a perspective on the other side, but you are supporting an egomaniac who will not support you or your military brothers and sisters with his huuuge hands alone. He has not lent any substance to any of his outlandish claims. Trump’s inexperience and ego will not benefit our country, our veterans, or are varied faiths and cultures.
Truthfully, I was never a ‘Trump’ supporter. I simply cannot trust HC. The last two days has caused a very real conflict. The only thing keeping me even considering Trump is that there are seats on the USSC that need to be filled.
Hopefully I can call you by your frist name Chris,this is out of respect. You are so right just how many politicians have been to a military funeral at a veteran cemetery, not just Arlington Nation Cemetery for that matter. It’s so sad this Klang has decided to make a stand he knows little about. I am a Trump supporter only because he stands for just America now. Just how much can Trump do to hurt this country compared to what Obama and Clinton will still do. He’s said military will be built up jobs will come that America will come frist. As a military man just how long has it been since you’ve heard that,with more then alittle conference that it will happen. You know obama hasn’t done it does anyone think clinton will. I’m just saying these things because,you say you haven’t really made your mind up. But the most thing,I wanted to thank you for your heartfelt letter to this klan. And to all of Americans. Thank you for your service and continued support for Amerca
There is no logical defense for Trump’s comments. The fact Mr Kahn’s son was a volunteer is his point. He voluntarily gave his life for his country and he is a Muslim is Mr Kahn’s point.His point is being a Muslim does not make you evil. Like all walks of life there are bad people but it is a tiny fraction of the whole. His point is it is wrong to single out an entire group because some of it’s believers are evil. Was Muhammad Ali evil? His point is Trump’s entire life is centered on himself. He has not made any sacrifices for others or his Country-zero.Has Hillary & Obama.sacrificed? The fact is, both dedicated their lives to being champions for the poor, needy and downtrodden. Trump has never championed anything that was not for personal profit. Then you ask Mr Kahn if he is intimating he has sacrificed? Are you serious? Whether he is intimating that or not he lost his beloved son. Losing a child in the name of freedom is second only to giving your own life, Chris. It is repugnant to dare question that especially in defense of Trump’s depraved comments. Using your service to this Country as a platform to defend Trump’s despicable comments is atrocious.
Maybe whatever religion you believe in or lack thereof should be banned from entry and/or expelled from our Country.This Country would be a better place without the likes of you.
The blind faith following of political parties is bad for our Country. Defending horrible people and obscene comments to sway voters is worse. You sir, should be ashamed of yourself!
So basically, you accuse Trump of something, say how it’s wrong and un-American to do it, then say the same in your comment to Chris Mark. Maybe this country would be a better place without the likes of _______ (fill in the blank). That’s your opinion and in this country, you’re entitled to it… but so is everyone else. For the record, understand the concept of Trump’s proposal – a temporary ban on Muslims until this country comes up with a plan to properly vet those who want to enter. It’s that simple. If you want to come to this country, fine! Come on in ! BUT DO IT LEGALLY !!!!! Be willing to become an American and assimilate. Wave an American flag, not another country’s flag, and don’t burn ours. Why is this not sinking in to your kind?
Additionally, I’d love to see some proof that Hillary or Obama actually championed anything for the poor. Hillary legally represented a known pedophile, got him off, and laughed about it. She attempted to destroy Bill’s rape accusers to further his and her own political careers. Her list of disgusting deeds goes waaaay back. So please, tell me why anyone would support her?
I appreciate your well written letter..
Chris Mark I like your letter you penned here. I feel it was well thought and presented.As a combat vet, it infuriates me to see people use my brother-in-arms sacrifices for props. When we are out there it’s the man to our left or right that we think about first contrary to what movies and such want civies to believe. Now onto one of the things it seems that EVERYBODY commenting here has forgotten… Since 1940 there has been two occasions that forced deportation and internment have happened and both times were done by DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTS. The first was FDR when he had all the Japanese Americans interned to camps and seized their homes and property just because they were Japanese when we were at war with Japan. The second was Jimmy Carter in the 70’s with the Iranians. He rounded up and deported Iranian Americans. Trump by no means is perfect but I’ve also lived through the Clinton years also and they would be far worse than most of you can imagine. And for all of you making comments about how a soldier couldn’t possibly feel the loss like the family… Your right without being the parent it’s hard to feel that pain but sometimes the pain of loss and guilt we feel dwarfs that to what you could possibly comprehend. Especially when one of our brothers or sisters lays there dying in our arms while I frantically try to stop the blood from coming. I covered him when the shelling started but the shrapnel took off my right arm and still killed him.You criticize the infantry soldier and you don’t have ANY clue of such a profound loss. Then the guilt comes… Why not me, it should have been me, he/she has kids and I don’t why not me, I miss my brothers so much. For some of us they are or were the only family we have. Why do you think the veteran suicide rate is so high?
Your letter hits the nail right on the head, especially paragraphs two and three.
Great Article – Thank-you!
My Opinion; Here is the Truth:
Khan is just Hillary’s pet Piggy Bank, a Muslim, Taqiyya practicing, Jihadi spy operating under the ‘cover’ of a Gold Star family (pure Taqiyya) BECAUSE:
Khizr Khan, the DNC-Hillary Jihadi shill is a scholar on Sharia law. And in his published writings, he approves of subordinating the US Constitution to Allah’s own Sharia Law (Paul Sperry). Khizr M. Khan published papers supporting the supremacy of Islamic law over “man-made” Western law — including the very Constitution he championed in his Democratic National Convention speech as he attacked normal Americas and soon to be President Donald Trump. Hillary endorses “human rights bestowed by Islam that include the right of men to “beat” their wives.”
Khan is simply a propaganda weapon, a TOOL the DNC, Hillary and their Media are is using in a tactic similar to the innocent YouTube Video producer that served time in Jail because of the Hillary caused Benghazi terror murders; Hillary used him to deflect low information, under informed, gullible Americans via her MEDIA Shills).
Khizr Khan also Scrubbed the internet of all of his Law Firm WEB site which engaged in ‘selling’ access to green cards and citizenship to rich middle eastern Muslims invading our country. Perhaps Hillary’s email server scrubbers scrubbed Jihadi Khan’s electronic evidence of treason.
THANK YOU CHRIS FOR YOUR WORDS AND YOUR SERVICE.
ALL DUE RESPECT TO ” MR & MRS ” KHAN’S SON AN AMERICAN CITIZEN AND AN AMERICAN HERO.
BECAUSE TRUMP HAD THE MOTHER OF ANOTHER HERO @ HIS GOP WHO SPOKE HOW SHE WAS LIED TO BY HILLARY
THE DAY HER SON RETURNED TO “AMERICAN SOIL “.
HILLARY HAD TO SEARCH AND GO BACK TO I BELIEVE 1994,
THAT WAS 12 YEARS AGO, TO FIND A MUSLIM TO ADDRESS
OUR NATION TO TRY TO SHOW AND IMPLY DISREPECT TO DONALD TRUMP.
HILLARY WILL DO ANYTHING , I MEAN ANYTHING TO GET ELECTED. MAN AM I GLAD SHE DOESN’T KNOW ME ——-
BECAUSE AS A KOREAN VETERAN I MIGHT BE IN OUR
NATIONAL CEMETERY TOMORROW.
BOB
Beauuuutiful, All our Respect Mr Chris Mark!!
GOD bless Brave Heroes like you🙏
CH
Hello Chris. I’m a newcomer here. I liked what you originally had to say about Khizr Khan’s diatribe speech at the DNC–using his son’s death in order to viciously slaughter Donald Trump’s good name and character. Khan had a definite agenda. I have never EVER seen any other Gold Star mother, father, sister or brother who did what he DID! He, in no way, got before the whole world to pay TRIBUTE to his son, but rather to justify and under gird his own Saudi connections with the Hillary Clinton machine (AND THEY ARE QUITE EXTENSIVE!). This SPEECH of his was horrendous and DEPLORABLE. I am GREATLY disappointed in you, to see that you have recanted your comments to Khizr Khan! HE IS PLAYING THE AGE-OLD STEALTH JIHAD GAME OF “POOR ME, I’m a poor persecuted pious muslim”! It works every time! Now all his “enemies”, i.e., the ‘kaffars’ and ‘infidel unbelievers’, ARE FIGHTING EACH OTHER AND YOU APPARENTLY ARE DRINKING THE SAME KOOL-AID! SO SORRY YOU APPARENTLY CAN’T SEE THAT…..
Chris, while I disagree with much of what you wrote and the premise behind key parts, I sincerely commend you on your reasoned and and open-minded responses to commenters — and even patience with some of the more ridiculous insults. If we all could have more opportunities to hear the other side and not paint a one-sided picture of who they are, perhaps we’d actually be able to get something done instead of spending our energy taking each other down. My last comment is that I can only imagine that the kind of social/political implosion is exactly what terrorism is supposed to do — sow doubt and turn your enemy against itself.
With respect for Mr. Khan’s loss, his stage appearance making political capital of his son’s sacrifice was disgraceful.
I’d like to address this controversy along a different line. Were the Khans used by the DNC? Seems to me they were. That’s what everyone in Washington DC is most adept at doing with very few exceptions. What concerns me for the future is how easily Mr. Trump can be baited into making snap decisions which turn out to be a mistake. Certainly Vladimir Putin (once KGB always KGB) and his ilk across the world are noticing this and making plans to bait a potential President Trump into mistaken snap decisions with much more serious consequences for our military members and the country. This is not to say I consider Secretary Clinton any better and quite possibly worse. The purpose of an election is to select the best candidate to lead the country and we should as Senator Cruz said “vote our conscious”. Right now my conscious is telling me both candidates are critically flawed and I should crawl in a hole and come out in four years to see if we have survived the coming four year disaster.
The only positive I see for our future is the very professional military who support and defend the country and our Constitution. For those military members and their families, please stay strong (we will need you more than ever) and thanks for past and future service.
Chris, I want to say thank you for your apology. I’m a Gold Star wife, my husband was killed in an IED attack in Iraq in 2007 and as I read this open letter I was really a bit hurt. Volunteering doesn’t change the loss. People join the military for a number of reasons and to just cover it with “you volunteered” lacks empathy in my opinion, particularly for the loved ones left behind. At any rate, I disagree with most of the open letter because I felt it missed the broader point: Mr. Trump once again attacked an individual for questioning/challenging/disagreeing with him and the brunt of his attack was directed towards Mrs. Kahn and Trump’s ignorant perception of her religion. This incident is yet another example of why he doesn’t belong in the White House. So again, thank you for analyzing, agreeing to disagree and apologizing, you’ve done what Trump never will.
I am sorry for your loss and thank you for your comments.
So very well said! Thank you Sir! You are why this is still the best Country To be in!
I read this post and your apology and think they are both excellent posts. I wanted to add the following comment which I posted on another website:”The sacrifices that the son made do not necessarily reflect the values of the parents. I’m not saying that the following is true, but for all we know, the parents could be terrorist sympathizers who pleaded with their son not to join the US military because it goes against their Muslim beliefs. On the other hand, they could be as patriotic and self-sacrificing as their son was. Their Gold Star status does not grant them the right to speak without the truth of what they say, or their character, being questioned. In fact, by using their Gold Star status to publicly accuse and attack Trump and support Hillary, they have openly invited debate as to the veracity of what they said and scrutiny of their character.”
Well said, sir.
What do you have to say about this fearless man now who says that the easy way to get a purple heart is to have an honorable vet hand it to you. I cant even believe hom how pompous and disrespectful is that. He makes me hate being a Republican.
Mr. Mark thank you for your service to your country. Thank you for writing this letter. I appreciate your opinion on this issue but respectfully disagree with you on several counts. In the interest of brevity, I address three points here.
You say to Khizr Khan, ”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.”
With respect, I say Captain Khan’s sacrifice was not his own. I doubt that the American soldiers whose lives were saved by their superior’s courage agree with you. His sacrifice was for their sake. His last words to his mother, after she asked him not to be a hero, were, “But Mother, you should know I have responsibility for these soldiers, and I cannot leave them unprotected.” (“In Tribute to Son, Khizr Khan Offered Citizenship Lesson at Convention,” New York Times, 29 July 2016).
Do you sincerely believe that his soldiers felt no grief for his loss and that, if they did feel grief, it was more grief than his family felt? If those soldiers are the men I imagine, their hearts were ripped out of them in the same way the hearts of the Khan family were ripped out.
I believe the film, Restrepo, gives us a reliable model of how soldiers feel when one of their own is killed in combat. The sense of loss revealed in that film cannot be considered greater than that a mother, father, sister, or brother would feel.
Captain Khan died for the sake of his soldiers, for the sake of Iraqis, and for the sake of his countrymen, among whom were his family.
Would you say the same thing if a member of your squad had thrown himself on a grenade to save your life. His sacrifice would not have been his own. His sacrifice would have been for you. The death of that member of your squad would have had, if you are the human being and the man I expect you are, a traumatic emotional effect on you. If that is true, then you have some sense of the trauma a family feels when a son or daughter makes that ultimate sacrifice.
Our military works because we take care of our own by acting together as a team and not because our service men and women are rugged individualists serving their own self interest. I agree with Coleen Shin, who replied to your letter by saying, “You are wrong about the sacrifice, when a soldier joins up, he takes his family to war whether that is the intent or not to do so.”
I believe there is something profoundly wrong when a soldier does not feel the loss of a fellow soldier in combat or imagines that his grief is greater than that of a family whose child is lost in combat. Where is empathy?
You say to Khizr Khan, “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 sacrificed no one’ is alarming.”
With respect, I say when Donald Trump was asked by George Stepanopoulos what sacrifices he had made for his country, he said: “I think I have made a lot of sacrifices. I’ve worked very, very hard. I’ve created thousands and thousands of jobs, tens of thousands of jobs, built great structures. I’ve done — I’ve had tremendous success.” (“‘This Week’ transcript: Donald Trump,” ABC News, 31 July 2016).
You, Mr. Mark, have done more for your country in your short life than Donald Trump has done in 70 years. The sacrifices he made were made in the name of turning a profit and making himself a billionaire. The same accusation cannot be made of either Hillary Clinton or Barrack Obama. Their lives have been dedicated to public service and not to making themselves billionaires.
Not only did Donald Trump not serve his country, he actively avoided service by seeking five (5) medical deferments: four for college and one for bad feet. At age 22 he had played football, tennis, and squash—not to mention golf. His medical deferment was for “heel spurs” as Mr. Trump described his malady. Mr. Trump also said that “Over a period of time, it healed up.” He recently proclaimed his health as “perfection.”
Donald Trump completed an undergraduate real estate program at the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania. He then followed his father into the real estate development business (“Donald Trump’s Draft Deferments: Four for College, One for Bad Feet,” New York Times, 1 August 2016).
Do you seriously imagine that Donald Trump followed his father into the family business out of a patriotic sense of duty to his country? Wouldn’t greed be a more readily believable explanation? If you find Hillary untrustworthy, why would you trust Donald Trump’s explanation of why he didn’t volunteer, like Captain Khan, for military service?
You say to Khizr Khan, “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?”
With respect, I say painting the Democratic Party with that broad brush accusation is an insult to every veteran who stood in that convention and who stands with the Democratic Party. I cannot imagine that you seriously believe that there weren’t a substantial number of veterans in that audience who were not booing and who were as incensed as you are at the deplorable behavior of those attendees who did boo. Your criticism is legitimate for those who booed; it is not legitimate for those who did not boo and for the Democratic Party as a whole.
It is a logical fallacy to imagine that because some small number of a group behave deplorably, that every member of that group supports that behavior. You and your argument lose credibility when you resort to a logical fallacy in making your case. Such behavior on your part creates an opportunity for your opponents to argue that you are speaking more out of blind hatred than out of a well-reasoned examination of the evidence.
Again, thank you for your service to your country and thank you for the full-throated exercise of your rights under the First Amendment.
You clearly misunderstood what Mr Mark meant by “his sacrifice is his own”. That does not mean that his sacrifice did not have profound effect on his fellow brothers in arms or his family.
In addition, Mr Mark did not say or imply that the Democratic Party, he accused the “protestors at the DNC”. Speaking of logical fallacy, although I am not sure what logical fallacy you’re attributing to Mark, but you raised a strawman here and then attempted to knock it down.
In regard to your comments regarding the service of Obama and Hillary. Did Obama enlist? I think not, just like Trump. I am sure he has (Obama)
used his position to aid and abet the ISIS cause. History will write the damage he has done. As for Hillary, her service for this country has been to pad her pockets with millions using her position to amass her and The Clinton Foundation the millions they now have….shameful the deals she has made with the blood of our service men and women on her hands. Shameful, disgraceful and the American people will finally realize she does not know how to tell the truth. She is corrupt to the bone and should never be president of our country. The Clinton’s have left a trail of bodies and people whose lives they have destroyed to accede their goals. RIP
Garth Brown, All eloquence escapes me at the moment. I can only say thank you, sir. It tears the heart of us left behind to be told we are using our dead for political gain, being shamed for even bringing up their names, when it is their lives in truth, that were given for political gains in the first place, regardless of the patriotic rhetoric of each war. Our loved ones died trusting those political gains were in the interest of freedom, not just ours, but everyone’s. Every man woman and child is deserving of freedom.
Including the right to speak of the sacrifices they have made in the quest for that freedom, including the life long sacrifice of the loss of a beloved child, parent, brother, sister or spouse, For that sacrifice is made the moment you say to that soldier you love, “Of course. Of course you must go, and go with my love. I am so proud of you”
“The wave of the future is not the conquest of the world by a single dogmatic creed but the liberation of the diverse energies of free nations and free men.”
JOHN F. KENNEDY
Thank you for your letter semper fi, from Larry R. Smith, USMC 1st Sgt, Vietnam era, ret.
“Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on.”
So yeah, you’re lying about that. I could debunk the rest of your “arguments” but can’t reason with someone that just blatantly lies. See ya in November!
Mr. Mark, I thank you for your service to our country. However, I disagree with the words you wrote. Mr. and Mrs.Khan did sacrifice – as did your parents, your wife, and your children would have if you had been injured or killed in battle. Captain Khan volunteered for service but his family did not volunteer him. They sat home worrying and waiting for knock at the door they hoped would never come. They now support other Goldstar families who are having to make the same adjustment. Since you are a military veteran, I would have thought that it would have been common sense to you that service itself is a sacrifice, A sacrifice on the part of the servicemember, his family and even his friends do not want to see him hurt. As for the Democrats being anti-servicemember and anti-veteran let me ask you something. Was it a Democrat that sent our troops into battle into 2003 without the proper armor to protect themselves? No that was republican George W. Bush. Was it a Democrat that extended tours of duty and lowered standards for military acceptance, so that he could add more soldiers to the Middle East Theater? No that was republican George W. Bush. Was it a Democrat that placed National Guard serviceman into the Iraq theater, when National Guard service men are supposed to be used for domestic insurrections? No that was republican George W. Bush. Was it a Democrat that put us into two wars, on two different fronts, at almost exactly the same time, knowing full well that we did not have enough servicemen or equipment to perform well on two different fronts? No that was republican George W. Bush. I am not a Hillary Clinton fan either. I would have preferred that Bernie Sanders be our democrat nominee. He would have beaten Trump easily. And the day he took office, he would’ve taken care of veterans, active servicemen, the elderly, the handicapped, college kids, the unemployed, the sick and the homeless (which many retired veterans are). I think you misunderstand the Khan’s pain and the words they spoke. I would attribute that to the fact that you served, you didn’t stay home and pray for your son and daughter every night, that they would be taken from you by an IED, a sniper, or a car bomb. Quite often the servicemember is so involved with doing his duty and protecting his fellow soldiers, he cannot fully see the pain his family is in. I would urge you to talk to some Gold Star Families. Find out how they felt when their son or daughter came to them and told them that they had enlisted. Find out how they felt when they heard that their child’s plan had just landed in the Middle East. And find out how they felt when they heard that knock on their door. I would be willing to bet that you will regret you open letter to the Khan’s and your back-handed dismissal of them as tools of the DNC. But I could be wrong about that. And if I am, then I am sorry I took time to write this letter to you.
There is a distinct difference between “sacrifice” and profound loss and grief. Yes, the families suffer trauma during deployment and most certainly due to a loss of life. That is not the same as “sacrifice” by very definition of the word. The sacrifice made is on the part of the soldier. While the family deals with the very real consequences of that sacrifice, it is not their sacrifice but that of their family’s soldier(s). No one is denying the real trauma and suffering a military family goes through particularly with a loss of life, most certainly Mr. Mark is not. I do believe the Kahn’s were played as pawns in the DNC convention. I don’t know if that was intentional on their part or not but I do believe it was intentional by the Dem party and Mrs. Clinton. But that does not diminish the sacrifice and heroism of Capt. Kahn or the suffering and grief of his family.
There is a distinct difference between “sacrifice” and profound loss and grief. Yes, the families suffer trauma during deployment and most certainly due to a loss of life. That is not the same as “sacrifice” by very definition of the word. The sacrifice made is on the part of the soldier. While the family deals with the very real consequences of that sacrifice, it is not their sacrifice but that of their family’s soldier(s). No one is denying the real trauma and suffering a military family goes through particularly with a loss of life, most certainly Mr. Mark is not. I do believe the Kahn’s were played as pawns in the DNC convention. I don’t know if that was intentional on their part or not but I do believe it was intentional by the Dem party and Mrs. Clinton. But that does not diminish the sacrifice and heroism of Capt. Kahn or the suffering and grief of his family.
Amen brother, well said!
A Veteran of 2 Wars in California, totally agree with your comments. I’m a Gold Star wife myself and this life was absolutely chosen for me by George W. Bush. I really wish someone would bring him up on charges or something, but I know that won’t happen. At any rate, Chris has apologized for the hurt he’s caused Gold Star families and Mr. Khan. So while I don’t agree with his politics, he did stand up and apologize for not being empathetic during his open letter and I think that’s indicative of great character. Now if only Mr. Trump would apologize…
We all would…I am sorry for your loss.
Mark….your article is OK with me don’t worry about ALL the Zombie Liberal LOSERS calling you names..all they have ever done is Take, Take, from America nONE have ever done it anything for America..WHY? because they are Cowards & Liars.
Keep standing up & speaking out against these Evil, Wicked Liberals that spew their hate against you.
An An Excellent Letter! Thank you for writing it!
Mr. Khan is one of many Muslim Americans that have lost a child to the war… the war against ‘MUSLIMS’. I appreciate their pain, but wonder if they realize that hundreds of American sons and daughters have also died fighting their own, the ‘MUSLIMS’. Muslims killed their son… not Americans… not TRUMP… more like Obama and BILLARY… I would really love to see the JUMP in Mr and Mrs. Khan’s bank account in the month of JULY 2016! AND why would they want to help us vote for BILLARY? WELL… they are MUSLIMS… and they want to kill all the infidels… IT IS IN THEIR “BIBLE”. AND… it is in OBAMA’s heart. Talk about dealing with the devil… Mr. KHAN… when is the last time your wife washed her hair? Is that why it is covered… are you ashamed of her looks… Probably so! HELLO. it is 2016… time to give up the pajamas… time to give up the towels on your head. time to give up YOUR STUPIDITY!
It was gut-wrenching to me when I read yesterday your insinuation that the Khans had not sacrificed. “Gold star family” is a designation that allows the community to know the price that the family has paid in the cause of freedom. That price that these families continue to pay each and every day when they wake up with the pain of being without their child, sibling or spouse is without a doubt a huge sacrifice. Mr and Mrs Khan have sacrificed, as of course has their son. I would certainly rather die myself than see my son die. IMO, all Mr Khan really wants is for Americans to understand that just like any other group, some muslims are bad while others are great Americans just like his son. This really is just like any other group be it race, religion, profession, etc. There are good eggs and some really bad eggs in every group. I think the Khans are angry because Mr. Trump’s continued behavior makes many people feel that ALL muslims are bad and are to be feared – which just isn’t the case and fosters damaging hate. I really feel for this man and his wife. Furthermore, I’m glad that finally someone is speaking for those of the 3.3 million muslims in the nation that are in fact good people. They have for way too long now needed their version of MLK to let people know that they have a religion that is based on peace just like we do as Christians.
Please read my latest apology. Thanks for commenting
Dear Chris,
It’s hard to comment on your message. more thoughts come to mind than i am able to pen. i just want to make it clear, donald trumps sacrifice and capt humayan khans “sacrifice” were different. he “built buildings, he made jobs”. if the difference doesn’t make sense to you, this from the beginning is a hopeless conversation. If Khizr Khan’s sacrifice doesn’t make sense to you, then you are an idiot.
no matter what you say, capt khan didn’t willingly sacrifice himself. he hoped it would turn out differently. apart from Capt Khan, not all people in the military are there by volunteering. sometimes life’s choices leave you few options. you can’t deny family wealth gives you more options. one can avoid the draft, but not everyone.
At the end of the first paragraph, “for that you I am thankful”. that was all you really needed to say. The rest was politics. “he was not forced to serve”, seems like a thing you haven’t asked him or his family about. it gives you health care, dental care, 3 meals a day. it gives you a salary, it may give you an education. it’s a bit of your guess whether he felt forced to serve.
Capt Groberg is a hero as well. It’s not a competition. Neither convention silenced. Both had an agenda. Disgraceful is pretty thought provoking. it negates your whole first paragraph. look at your first paragraph. end of story.
who is using this as a platform? and then to say that Khizr Khan has not sacrificed is not accurate. Any family that lost a son would disagree. To have italicized your “sons” sacrifice is disrespectful. To say his party has “disparaged police officers and veterans” is a political statement. Who is standing idly by? Trump saying he “doesn’t respect a prisoner of war. He respects those who aren’t captured” misses the whole idea of war and negates almost everything you say. Try it. read your letter and after every sentence you wrote say ” I don’t respect a prisoner of war, I respect those who aren’t captured”. Difficult to do. Yes. if you have served or sacrificed, your word is louder. I respect your word, but I beg to disagree.
Thank you, Chris, for taking the time to curate these responses. I am sure it has take considerable time and effort. I applaud your willingness to take into account the different viewpoints expressed and you apology letter was an appropriate response. I pray you never suffer the loss of a child for any reason.
While I have not read each and every comment, I have read through many (as I have read through comments on the Muslim issue elsewhere) and I see a trend that is reminiscent of my parents’ generation. Dad fought WWII in the Navy in the South Pacific. His brother fought in the Army in Europe. From the time I can remember, they were each extremely prejudiced against members of the ethnicity of their enemies, Japanese in Dad’s case and Germans in Uncle Jack’s. It was so until later in their lives. As a kid, I played soldier with my friends – those unfortunate to be the bad guys were Nips, Krauts, and any other name we heard from Dad, Uncle Jack and their friends. We never heard a word of rebuke (even though my Mom was of German descent). Instead we heard encouragement and a few times stories about how bad those enemies were – through and through. I wasn’t aware of Japanese-American internment as a kid but even if I was, it would have fit the narrative I lived in.
Later in life my work took me to Japan, Germany and many other places. Of course, the people there were fine – not the “uncivilized animals” (and worse) I had heard them described as when I was younger. In his 70s I asked Dad about it and he said that it was in part the times and war propaganda but, more importantly, when everyone who was trying to kill you and your buddies looked and acted the same to you, a hatred towards the whole group was inevitable and engrained.
I have friends who served in Desert Shield/Storm, Afghanistan, Iraq, and worked for Blackwater, DSA, etc., several with multiple deployments. Almost to a person, those who served in forward positions have a disdain or worse for Persians or Arabs who are of course mostly Muslims. As I read the comments from vets here, I pick up a similar thread – not uniform but its there.
Believe me, I am not judging – just asking. I believe I read that you were a Scout Sniper. If so, KIMS or the USMC equivalent would have honed objective observations skills. Is mine an accurate observation? If so, how is this going to color the debates we must have as a country on issues relating to Muslims?
And thank you for your service – very very much.
Thank you for your astute observations and taking the time to comment. I agree, I think you are accurate in your observations. I always struggle with the vitriol I hear toward all Muslims. It is tough but there is no getting around the objectification and dehumanization of ‘the enemy’. I believe it will carry over into the election. Quite bluntly, that may be some of the attraction of Trump.
[…] After the DNC, he turned his attention to Khan, penning an epic open letter to him that you can read here. […]
Thank you Chris for your service to our country. And also thank your for writing this letter nobody could have said it better. I am sharing this with everyone i can! Sincerely, Lisa Franks
Thank you for bringing truth to the discussion. And Thank You for your service.
I agree with the letter wholeheartedly. And to the “sacrifice” comments, I think it is more accurate that soldiers make the sacrifice and family’s experience loss when one dies. I don’t see how the family experiences sacrifice when they did not make the choice — for anything when a member dies. It is not a sacrifice on the part of family when one of its members attempts to save a life in a crisis situation — a car wreck or swimming accident — and they lose their life in trying. I applaud Chris Mark’s willingness to apologize, and it shows his sincere attempt to articulate his views, but I do not agree. Mr. Khan challenged Donald Trump questioning his sacrifice — it was a sad moment to see a father stoop to such behavior as though only those who have experienced loss in the same way are somehow worthy. Thank you Chris for quoting Mr. Trump’s original statement, since so many have conveniently ignored his wise suggestion. Your letter should be shared over and over to help everyone understand.
Amen!
Chris, your letter started with a thank you. Even though you disagree with what Mr. Khan says you had the decency to acknowledge and empathize with the man. This is unfortunately not the case with Donald Trump your candidate for president. Does this give you pause?
Hell yes it gives me pause! His actions over the past 2 days give me more than pause..wow..
It’s about time that the “Real” Donald Trump reared his true ugly head.
Thank you for your service and I am in the same boat on Trump, however I cannot stomach seeing Clinton in the white house with all the corruption and the lies.
Chris Mark, thank you for so eloquently expressing and clarifying my feelings regarding this confusing situation with Kahn.
The hate in his eyes as he spoke was unnerving.