Duty Toward Our Afghan Allies: Fulfilling Our Commitment to Our Afghan Collaborators
In the heart of the United States Army, Officer Danny Nguyen carries a unique story that mirrors the current evacuation efforts in Afghanistan. A graduate of the United States Military Academy, Nguyen and his sisters have strived to fulfill the American dream every day.
This journey of Nguyen's family echoes a familiar tale, one that was played out forty-one years ago in Vietnam. In April 1975, his mother (at the age of fourteen) and her family were hastily put on the run due to a final offensive by Communist forces in Vietnam. Forty-one years ago, they left Vietnam with few possessions, much like the Afghans fleeing their homeland today.
Nguyen's mother has always told him and his sisters to do as she has asked them to do. This wisdom, passed down through generations, resonates with the Afghan refugees who are now seeking safety and a new beginning.
Over 130,000 Vietnamese refugees were evacuated before Communist tanks rolled into Saigon, a combination of ship evacuations and airlift efforts from the embassy under Operation Frequent Wind. The parallels between this historical event and the current situation in Afghanistan are undeniable.
In August 2021, as the Taliban took power, the US Army conducted large-scale evacuation operations, including airlifts from Kabul airport. These efforts involved securing the airport amid chaos to fly out tens of thousands of vulnerable Afghans and allied personnel. Over 5,000 people were flown out in cooperation with allied forces like the German Bundeswehr.
The Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program exists, but may only assist a limited number of those who are eligible. It is necessary to expand the SIV program dramatically, increase resources for speedy processing, increase the number of third-country safe havens, and substantially increase airlift capabilities in and out of Kabul to ensure the safe evacuation of at-risk individuals.
President Ford sought to ensure a speedy evacuation for as many at-risk persons as possible in the final days of the war in Vietnam. Today, we must continue to work with the private sector and nonprofit organizations like No One Left Behind to supplement military cargo lift.
The Defense Department has allocated room for thirty thousand Afghan SIVs, but this should not be the upper limit of our compassion and moral obligation. There is a saying in Vietnamese: "When eating a fruit, think of the person who planted the tree." It's essentially a message to remember gratitude for those who helped you in your journey.
Danny Nguyen hopes that Afghans who risked their lives to assist our efforts in their country will be resettled in America soon. He believes that America was and should continue to be a symbol of freedom and prosperity. In his farewell address in 1989, President Reagan recounted the story of a refugee from Indochina being rescued by an American sailor. This story, much like Nguyen's, serves as a reminder of the power of compassion and the importance of welcoming those who seek refuge.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the United States Military Academy, Department of the Army, or Department of Defense. Nguyen's personal story serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of hope in the face of adversity. As we continue to navigate the complexities of the current situation in Afghanistan, let us remember the lessons of the past and strive to make a positive impact on those in need.
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