Send my National Guardsman husband home from the Capitol. Or at least support him

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com ^ | Maryland National Guard spouse | January 26, 2021 03:19 PM

[Red Badger]

Note: The author's identity has been verified by the Washington Examiner, but her name is being redacted due to concerns of possible retaliation against her spouse.

When news broke last week that soldiers serving in the Maryland National Guard on active duty at the U.S. Capitol were banished to a cold, exhaust-filled parking garage, Congress rushed to offer outrage.

Social media exploded with vows from members to “get to the bottom” of things and to “make them right.” Unfortunately, that passion from just a few days ago has faded into business as usual on Capitol Hill.

My husband serves in the Maryland National Guard and was one of the soldiers sent to the now-infamous parking garage. He’s one of hundreds who have to wash their socks and undergarments in hotel sinks because they don’t have time to access laundry services. He’s one of many who have been away from their families since early January. And he’s just one of many soldiers who don’t understand why they are still deployed at the Capitol.

Military spouses understand the role we play and the sacrifices we must make. We know our loved ones will be gone and we’ll have to pick up the slack at home. We accept that we’ll have to explain to our children why mama or dada is away for so long. We take on these roles willingly and often without complaint. But we ask, I think fairly, that military leaders and elected representatives take care of our soldiers by providing them with a clear mission, the resources they need to succeed, and basic sustainment. On each of these points, our leadership is failing.

I reached out to Gov. Larry Hogan’s office to ask him to release the Maryland National Guard from active duty at the Capitol. I received a generic form letter in return that read, in part, “Being responsive to your concerns is a top priority for our administration, and I assure you that your input will be taken into account.”

If it’s a top priority to be responsive, the Hogan administration should reevaluate its internal processes. I also contacted Maryland Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen. To date, I haven’t received a response from Sen. Cardin’s office, and Sen. Van Hollen responded with an email that read, in part, “Unfortunately due to the number of messages I receive I am unable to provide a response to people outside of Maryland.” It’s true, I don’t live in Maryland, but my husband serves in the Maryland National Guard. Is that not reason enough for a proper response? It was only a few days ago he was mingling with Guard members such as my husband and posing beside them for his social media pages. This is not leadership.

But the questions remain: Where can military families turn to for answers? Who is looking out for those who volunteer their time and talents to serve their communities and country?

It certainly doesn’t seem to be our elected officials. I’m thankful to those who have exposed the parking garage scandal and asked important questions about what happened, why it happened, who was responsible, and what happens next. I encourage them to keep asking questions. Maybe then, soldiers and their families will get the answers and support they need. Sadly, our politicians don't seem very interested in asking hard questions.

[Albion Wilde]

Those frikin hypocrites hate the military so much, absolutely nothing occurred to them, that these are human beings there to protect them who have regular human needs. I bet none of them have been able to charge their phones to be able to talk to their families. They’ve been treated worse than dogs.