Message From A Heartbroken Danish Soldier
Former U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, Rufus Gifford, recently received a message from a Danish soldier. In sharing this message, the Ambassador tells us the soldier fought alongside American soldiers in Afghanistan, and he reminds us the Danish people lost more soldiers per capita during the Afghan war than any other country in the world, aside from the United States.
The soldier’s words are those of a heartbroken man. As we teeter on the edge of a senseless war with Denmark, despite our long-standing alliance since 1783, we should all read his words with an open heart.
We could also ask ourselves if stealing Greenland to make America great again is compatible with our national values or the personal values we expect from each other and our children. Or, are we just placating our president’s personal need to feel great again through a coveted Nobel Peace Prize? Either way, we should wonder if this grab is important enough to be the hill we die on morally as a nation.
The message:
Dear Rufus Gifford,
I'm not writing as a politician.
Not as an analyst.
I'm writing as a Danish Afghanistan and Iraq veteran.
And yes—this brings tears to my eyes. When the U.S. today calls Denmark a poor ally, it feels like a slap in the face to those of us who were actually there.
After 9/11, Denmark did not hesitate.
We didn't debate polls.
We didn't calculate politics.
We put on our gear.
We said goodbye to our families.
We kissed our children goodnight and hoped we'd see them again.
We stood side by side with American soldiers.
We patrolled together.
We covered each other.
We bled together.
And we lost people. Danish soldiers never came home because we took the alliance seriously—not as
words, but as a promise between soldiers.
So when Denmark is called disloyal, it doesn't just hit a country.
It hits those of us who wore the uniform.
It hits the fallen.
It hits the families still paying the price.
We don't expect thanks.
We don't expect applause.
But we do expect honesty.
And respect for history.
Denmark was there when it mattered.
And we were not half-hearted.
A soldier never forgets who stood by his side.
Nations shouldn't either.
Thanks for your voice, you have the respect from the Danish people.
Slipstream
This is a very touching letter. You can feel this soldier's hurt, disillusionment, and, rightfully so, his anger. Any one of us would feel the same way. This president has shamed our country in so many ways in such a short time, but he doesn't care because being a nasty bully makes him feel great again, and that's all he cares about—himself.
My heart goes out to this brokenhearted soldier and all the others who've been slapped in the face by the U.S. president's words and actions. On behalf of good-hearted, grateful Americans, I'm sorry. Thank you for your service. We appreciate you more than you know.