Subject: When Your Word is Your Honor; ICO the book 'No ...



Subject: When Your Word is Your Honor; ICO the book "No Easy Day"

Friends and Family,

There has been a lot of information posted about the recent book - "No Easy Day" written by a former Navy SEAL.

I believe the article below best describes my former warfare specialty community's sentiments about the release of the book. Additionally, it "speaks volumes" that our Navy SEAL Foundation (our charity and memorial fund service) is not accepting donations from the proceeds of this book (please see the statement below also). It indicates a unified front from our Active Duty and Retired members.

Just a reminder, to honor the memory of the 9-11 victims this coming Tuesday 11 Sep 2012, by honoring Firemen and women, all Law Enforcement Officers, Emergency Medical Techs, US Coast Guard, Dept of Homeland Security, and Active Duty Armed Forces members. Be situational aware at all times and if you see something - say something!!!

To quote the "Act of Valor" movie if I may - "There are threats everywhere and the world is draped in camouflage, look closer"... "There is hope in valor".

Feel free to share with others...thank you.

God Bless and God Bless America (GB/GBA).

Respectfully,

Jack James

BUD/S Class 70

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When Your Word is Your Honor

Chicago Tribune Guest Column



By Cory Franklin

September 6, 2012

The SEALs are the Navy's special operations force, charged with carrying out some of the most difficult and dangerous missions. In 2005, the team adopted the SEAL creed, detailing the virtues every member pledges to live by. It is primarily a description of the characteristics of honor, a virtue conspicuously mentioned three times in the 440-word creed ("My trident is a symbol of honor and heritage." "I serve with honor on and off the battlefield." "My character and honor are steadfast.").

Adhering to the virtues espoused in the creed is demanding. Consider the life of astronaut Neil Armstrong, a Navy pilot (he wasn't a SEAL since the program didn't begin until 1962 when he became an astronaut), and the actions of Matt Bissonette, a former Navy SEAL who just authored a book detailing the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

Honor was paramount to Armstrong, a self-effacing man who became an American legend by being the first man to walk on the moon. Armstrong died recently and his whole life embodied the SEAL creed ("I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions.").

Armstrong never lent himself to media coverage, and much of his story outside the lunar landing has been glossed over. Had he never walked on the moon, Armstrong would still have been a hero as a Korean War fighter pilot (so young he had not yet graduated from Purdue). He received little public notice for his service like most Korea vets who were sandwiched between the greatest generation World War II vets and the more publicized Vietnam War generation.

When most of NASA's early astronauts were military pilots, Armstrong was one of the first civilian astronauts. Even as he tested jet aircraft at supersonic speeds, he remained first and foremost a highly trained engineer who happened to be a pilot. Unfortunately, the media largely ignored this aspect of his life. With the country clamoring for more trained engineers, Armstrong would have been a great role model for American youth to become engineers.

Armstrong's modesty prevented him from profiting from his unique status. ("Uncompromising integrity is my standard.") While other astronauts were embroiled in petty scandals involving tchotchkes they took to the moon, Armstrong scrupulously avoided commercial endorsements, was circumspect about giving autographs, and once took his Ohio barber to court after the man sold plastic bags of Armstrong's hair.

When Ed Bradley pointed out on "60 Minutes" that only 12 men have ever walked on the moon, and Armstrong was first, the old astronaut, nearly 40 years later demurred, "I just don't deserve it. I wasn't chosen to be first; I was just chosen to command that flight. Circumstance put me in that particular role. That wasn't planned by anyone. I guess we all like to be recognized, not for one piece of fireworks but for the ledger of our daily work."

Contrast that attitude with the actions of Bissonette, the Navy SEAL whose book "No Easy Day," about the bin Laden raid, has just been released. The author's bravery, as a member of the SEAL team, is without question. In that respect, our country owes him a debt of gratitude we can never repay. But regardless of the contents of the book and the legal controversy surrounding it, Bissonette has undoubtedly violated the SEAL creed. ("I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions.")

The Pentagon has threatened to take him to court for violating agreements not to divulge military secrets. While courts rightfully tend to side with transparency and the First Amendment, even a favorable outcome in this case would not vindicate the author.

If the Defense Department is correct, in 2007 the author signed two nondisclosure agreements with the Navy that included the stipulation he refrain from divulging classified information. (My word is my bond). He also avoided the government security review, understood to be part of the prepublication process of any book of this nature.

If Bissonette avoids prosecution or alternatively prevails in court, future nondisclosure agreements and security reviews, both of which are essential to our national security, will have little meaning. Moreover, his actions may have the perverse effect of resulting in less, rather than greater transparency if the Pentagon gets antsy and decides to tighten the vetting process on future authors.

Both Armstrong and Bissonette are heroes. They shared the experience of facing death as part of teams that performed successful missions of unimaginable complexity and danger. ("The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of circumstances, sets me apart from other men." "In the worst of conditions, the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently guides my every deed. I will not fail.")

But in the final analysis, only one of them lived by the creed.

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SEAL Charity Rejects bin Laden Book Donations



Sep 06, 2012

The Virginian-Pilot| by Mike Hixenbaugh

VIRGINIA BEACH -- The Navy SEAL who co-authored a controversial first-person account of the raid to kill Osama bin Laden promised to donate most of his earnings to charity. But at least one nonprofit wants nothing to do with it.

In a statement released this afternoon, the Navy SEAL Foundation () said it would not accept any donations generated by the memoir, "No Easy Day." The book quickly climbed to the top of bestseller lists after it hit shelves Tuesday.

In a statement posted on its website (), the Navy SEAL Foundation said it "is committed to providing immediate and ongoing support and assistance to the Naval Special Warfare community and their families. With this principled mission in mind, the Foundation will not be accepting any donations that are generated from the book or any related activities."

The Pentagon has threatened legal action against former SEAL Matt Bissonnette, who penned the book under the pseudonym Mark Owen. A Pentagon spokesman said Tuesday he believes the book contains classified information and that it's release was "a material breach of nondisclosure agreements."

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