Choosing death over a life of lies

The life of Ted Westhusing was a classic All-American success story. He was a good soldier and a true believer in the Iraq war. He gave up a secure teaching position at West Point to go to the war zone and help train the Iraqis to stand up and take over their own security. On June 5, 2005, only a month before he was due to return home, he committed suicide. At least that's the official version. He left this note.

Thanks for telling me it was a good day until I briefed you. [Redacted name]—You are only interested in your career and provide no support to your staff—no msn [mission] support and you don’t care. I cannot support a msn that leads to corruption, human right abuses and liars. I am sullied—no more. I didn’t volunteer to support corrupt, money grubbing contractors, nor work for commanders only interested in themselves.

I came to serve honorably and feel dishonored. I trust no Iraqi. I cannot live this way. All my love to my family, my wife and my precious children. I love you and trust you only. Death before being dishonored any more. Trust is essential—I don’t know who trust anymore. [sic] Why serve when you cannot accomplish the mission, when you no longer believe in the cause, when your every effort and breath to succeed meets with lies, lack of support, and selfishness? No more. Reevaluate yourselves, cdrs [commanders]. You are not what you think you are and I know it.

COL Ted Westhusing

Life needs trust. Trust is no more for me here in Iraq.

Westhusting arrived in Iraq full of hope and believing in the mission. He died in disillusionment. Whether he really commited suicide, which is an odd move for a devout Catholic, or was killed by parties with an interest in avoiding exposure, clearly the corruption in Iraq was the cause of his death.

Interestingly, he served under Petraeus, now a four star general in charge of operations. Read the whole thing for yourself and draw your own conclusions but I have to say it doesn't do a thing to assuage my doubts about the so-called surge.

[h/t Jules Siegel]