Lt. Col. ALEXANDER VINDMAN
We all need to acknowledge his personal sacrifices and join the chorus of hope that will drown out the spurious attacks of a disreputable man and his sycophants and lead to Rump's ouster and humiliation in November - not a day longer and not a day too soon.
Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman (Ret.), a career U.S. Army officer,
served on the National Security Council as the director for Eastern European,
Caucasus and Russian affairs, as the Russia political-military affairs officer
for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and as a military attaché in the
U.S. Embassy in Moscow.
After 21 years, six
months and 10 days of active military service, I am now a civilian. I made the difficult decision to
retire because a campaign of bullying, intimidation and
retaliation by President Trump and his allies forever limited the progression
of my military career.
This experience has
been painful, but I am not alone in this ignominious fate. The circumstances of
my departure might have been more public, yet they are little different from
those of dozens of other lifelong public servants who have left this
administration with their integrity intact but their careers irreparably
harmed.
A year ago, having
served the nation in uniform in positions of critical importance, I was on the
cusp of a career-topping promotion to colonel. A year ago, unknown to me, my
concerns over the president’s conduct and the president’s efforts to undermine
the very foundations of our democracy were precipitating tremors that would ultimately
shake loose the facade of good governance and publicly expose the corruption of
the Trump administration.
At no point in my
career or life have I felt our nation’s values under greater threat and in more
peril than at this moment. Our national government during the past few years
has been more reminiscent of the authoritarian regime my family fled more than
40 years ago than the country I have devoted my life to serving.
Our citizens are
being subjected to the same kinds of attacks tyrants launch against their
critics and political opponents. Those who choose loyalty to American values
and allegiance to the Constitution over devotion to a mendacious president and
his enablers are punished. The president recklessly downplayed the threat of
the pandemic even as it swept through our country. The economic collapse that
followed highlighted the growing income disparities in our society. Millions
are grieving the loss of loved ones and many more have lost their livelihoods
while the president publicly bemoans his approval ratings.
There is another
way.
During my testimony
in the House impeachment inquiry, I
reassured my father, who experienced Soviet authoritarianism firsthand, saying,
“Do not worry, I will be fine for telling the truth.” Despite Trump’s
retaliation, I stand by that conviction. Even as I experience the low of ending
my military career, I have also experienced the loving support of tens of
thousands of Americans. Theirs is a chorus of hope that drowns out the spurious
attacks of a disreputable man and his sycophants.
Since the struggle
for our nation’s independence, America has been a union of purpose: a union
born from the belief that although each individual is the pilot of their own
destiny, when we come together, we change the world. We are stronger as a woven
rope than as unbound threads.
America has thrived
because citizens have been willing to contribute their voices and shed their
blood to challenge injustice and protect the nation. It is in keeping with that
history of service that, at this moment, I feel the burden to advocate for my
values and an enormous urgency to act.
Despite some
personal turmoil, I remain hopeful for the future for both my family and for
our nation. Impeachment exposed Trump’s corruption, but the confluence of a
pandemic, a financial crisis and the stoking of societal divisions has roused
the soul of the American people. A groundswell is building that will issue a
mandate to reject hate and bigotry and a return to the ideals that set the
United States apart from the rest of the world. I look forward to contributing
to that effort.
In retirement from
the Army, I will continue to defend my nation. I will demand accountability of
our leadership and call for leaders of moral courage and public servants of
integrity. I will speak about the attacks on our national security. I will
advocate for policies and strategies that will keep our nation safe and strong
against internal and external threats. I will promote public service and exalt
the contribution that service brings to all areas of society.
The 23-year-old me
who was commissioned in December 1998 could never have imagined the
opportunities and experiences I have had. I joined the military to serve the
country that sheltered my family’s escape from authoritarianism, and yet the
privilege has been all mine.
When I was asked
why I had the confidence to tell my father not to worry about my testimony, my
response was, “Congressman, because this is America. This is the country I have
served and defended, that all my brothers have served, and here, right
matters.”
To this day,
despite everything that has happened, I continue to believe in the American
Dream. I believe that in America, right matters. I want to help ensure that
right matters for all Americans.