U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., is taking to the national stages as he tries to get a Green Beret reinstated in the Army after he was forced out of service when he reported an Afghan ally abusing a child.
Last week, Buchanan and U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., insisted that Sgt. First Class Charles Martland turned in an Afghan ally for his sex crimes to his superiors and is now being retired against his will on Nov. 1 after his superiors did nothing to investigate the matter . In recent weeks, Buchanan has called for an investigation of why the Pentagon covered up the sex crimes of American allies in Afghanistan.
Buchanan and Hunter brought out a proposal Wednesday reinstating Martland to the service. While their proposal is non-binding, they insisted it “would send a strong message to the Pentagon that its actions in the Martland matter are unacceptable.”
On Thursday, Buchanan appeared on Sean Hannity’s nationally syndicated radio show which appears on more than 500 stations, to make the case for Martland.
“What’s happening to the sergeant is an absolute national disgrace,” Buchanan told Hannity. “Here you’ve got a decorated war hero, two Bronze Stars, 11 years in the service and they want to terminate him for doing the right thing. My mindset is he has had our back fighting over in Afghanistan fighting the bad guys. We need to have his back in Congress ”
On Friday, AMVETS, Concerned Veterans fro America and Veterans of Foreign Wars announced they were backing Buchanan’s and Hunter’s proposal.
“These groups recognize that passing my resolution will send a strong message to the Pentagon that American soldiers should be commended, not punished, for confronting child rape,” Buchanan said after those veterans groups backed his resolution.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
