Master Sgt Mark Allen: A Casualty of Bowe Bergdahl

Master Sergeant Mark Allen
-Walton Tribune


Retired Master Sergeant Mark Allen, who was shot and severely wounded in Afghanistan while searching for army deserter Bowe Bergddahl, has died.

http://www.waltontribune.com/article_a5fcb5d8-edc8-11e9-ab5c-c3a065c896a0.html

It should never be forgotten that six other military personnel were also killed in the search for Bergdahl, who joined the Taliban after leaving his post in 2009. Years later, then-President Obama exchanged five major Taliban prisoners held at Guantanamo for Bergdahl. Obama used the occasion to appear in the White House Rose Garden with Bergdahl's parents. The five Taliban prisoners exchanged have returned to the Taliban after spending a few years in some sort of bizarre exile in Qatar.

There can be little question that Sgt Allen's career and life were cut short by Bergdahl's desertion. On his passing, the question must be asked: Where is Bergdahl today?

After being returned to the US, Bergdahl's case lingered as the Army tried to figure out what to do with him. Finally, in November 2017, he entered a guilty plea. He was reduced in rank to private, fined several thousand dollars, and dishonorably discharged with no prison time.

So there we have it. Six dead soldiers, others wounded, and another life destroyed and cut short. Five Taliban leaders released who have returned to the Taliban. Somewhere, Bowe Bergdahl sits in freedom. I hope he is aware of Sgt Allen's passing. I wonder what he is thinking.

I wonder what Obama is thinking.