I’m a military veteran, and I’m proud to be an American, but I’m embarrassed when I think about the horrific mess we find ourselves in while trying to save face after a 20-year military struggle with foreign terrorists in Afghanistan. 

My military service stems from a four-year voluntary enlistment in the U.S. Air Force in the 1950s, beginning at the end of the Korean War. I was primed for combat by an intensive and difficult period of basic training followed by specialist training in the supply field.  

The heroic actions of my predecessors in World War II and the Korean War motivated my urge to serve a two-year stint of duty in Alaska when America faced a threat of war with the U.S.S.R. 

One of the lessons I learned from my military service was a deep love and respect for my country, its flag and the men and women, past and present, who are willing to give of their talent and time to defend its freedom.  

I look forward to each opportunity I have to stand and salute the American flag. 

I was heartbroken recently when the president and his administration capitulated to the terrorists and left Afghanistan after 20 years of battle, losing more than 2,000 military personnel, suffering many more debilitating injuries and spending billions of dollars to keep them there. 

The manner in which we left was even more devastating.  

Military personnel were airlifted ahead of American citizens and Afghanistan citizens who assisted military operations. Additionally, terrorists were left in control of permitting evacuees to enter the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, for evacuation.  

The result is an undetermined number of Americans and their supporters have been left behind terrorist lines, relying on the cooperation of the terrorists to allow them to reach the airport. 

The evacuation process has been undermined by chaos, confusion, delays and disruption. 

Meanwhile, the president and his subordinates have denied that lack of planning caused problems related to the evacuation, with continued assurances that as many Americans and their Afghanistan operatives as possible will be evacuated.