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John,
I am one that never shies away from a conversation, even one that may be uncomfortable at times.
Republicans cannot utter a word in front of a camera without mentioning Afghanistan and the southern border. Many of you know by now that I served in Afghanistan, and I have discussed that frequently throughout the messages we share with you. What many of you do not know is that I also served in Haiti. After the earthquake in 2010 that destroyed that nation, the US sent me and my brigade combat team as part of the 82nd Airborne Division to Haiti to help the nation recover.
It was in Haiti that I saw things that haunt me until today. I can only describe Haiti with one word: death. The feeling and even the smell of death was everywhere. Yes, death has a unique smell. I served combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and I am telling you Haiti was worse. The poverty that I saw in Haiti is unlike anything on Earth. It was there that I really understood what a privilege it was to be an American and live the way we do.
I am bringing this up because it appears from the media reporting that the majority of migrants at the border are coming from Haiti. I know this doesn't excuse anyone entering the country illegally, but folks, I understand what those people are fleeing.
We are a country of immigrants, and we used to be a country of compassion and love for our fellow men and women. Those parents that are taking their children on that dangerous journey to come here are doing so because they have no other option.
So the next time you hear Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Gov. Abbot run their mouths about the migrants on the southern border, remember that those are human beings. Regardless of your religious beliefs, keep them, as well as all of us here in the US, in your prayers.
Airborne,
Richard Ojeda
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