To all of you, our readers at allenbwest.com, give yourselves a pat on the back and I salute you. Your voices were heard and you indeed answered the call to arms. We brought you the story of U.S. Army Special Forces soldier, SFC Charles Martland and his plight. You responded and forced the Army to put off a decision they were considering last November. Now, there’s great news!

(Article by Allen West, republished from www.allenbwest.com)

As reported by Fox News, “In a stunning reversal, the U.S. Army decided late Thursday to retain a decorated Green Beret it had planned to kick out after he physically confronted a local Afghan commander accused of raping a boy over the course of many days.

Sgt 1st Class Charles Martland, confirmed the Army’s decision to retain him when reached by Fox News, who has been covering the story in depth for the past eight months and first broke the story of the Army’s decision in August to kick out Martland over the incident, which occurred in northern Afghanistan in 2011.

“I am real thankful for being able to continue to serve,” said Martland when reached on the telephone by Fox News. “I appreciate everything Congressman Duncan Hunter and his Chief of Staff, Joe Kasper did for me.” As first reported by Fox News, while deployed to Kunduz Province, Afghanistan, Martland and his team leader confronted a local police commander in 2011 accused of raping an Afghan boy and beating his mother. When the man laughed off the incident, they shoved him to the ground.”

I also want to send a very special “shout out” to my former colleague and U.S. Marine, Rep. Duncan Hunter of California who took up this cause and was relentless in pursuing true justice. Now, the second part of our cause is to see SFC Martland promoted to Master Sergeant. And one more thing — we shall keep an eye out and ensure there are no reprisals against SFC Martland. Here is a man who truly and honorably lives up to the motto of the venerable U.S. Army Green Berets…”De Oppresso Liber” to liberate the oppressed.

SFC Martland, you are an American treasure and to the readers of this website, y’all are just awesome. And so in tribute to SFC Martland and all the men who wear the Green Beret, enjoy. Here’s the ballad of the Green Beret as sung by SSG Barry Sadler.

Read more at: www.allenbwest.com