Lucas --
Today the Washington Free Beacon published a powerful article on what happens to the Afghan and Iraqi translators and their families after they arrive in America. They entitled it, No Way To Treat An Ally - we couldn't agree more . In fact, we argue its no way to treat a veteran.
"We came with a lot of expectation … we thought we helped Americans, we will be safe,” said Faqiri, a former translator for the U.S. military who once worked for Defense Secretary Robert Gates. “All these things were just a mirage, or kind of like a dream.”
An investigation by the Washington Free Beacon found some of the U.S. military’s top Afghan allies have been placed in empty, rodent-and-bedbug-infested apartments by federal resettlement programs. Others cannot pay for baby diapers and groceries. Several families became so desperate they returned to Afghanistan, even as military interpreters remain a top assassination target for the Taliban."
Sadly, the story is all too familiar for us: A translator arrives in America and within three months, they are homeless and contemplating a return to Iraq or Afghanistan - an almost certain death sentence. These translators stood shoulder to shoulder with our troops, doing what most would call "multiple tours" had they been born Americans. To us, they are veterans. And yet, as one can tell from the article, almost nothing exists to help them make the transition to life in America.This is why we started No One Left Behind - to properly care for these fellow veterans. Thus, when we furnish a home, we do it for free. When we commit to helping someone find a job, we don't rest until they are happily employed. And, when we promise to take care of a fellow veteran and their family, we keep it.
Your support is vital to ensuring we keep our nation's promise. Please donate today.
Many many thanks!
-Cheers,
Matt
http://www.nooneleft.org/