Church Lawyer Outraged By Treatment Of Wounded Heroes

Text Of Email Sent To U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson on February 19, 2007:

Dear Senator Hutchinson,

I am writing to express my shock and extreme displeasure at the recent news about the physical conditions and atrocious treatment faced on a daily basis by our wounded war heroes at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington D.C. I am sickened by the news of severely wounded soldiers having to trudge across a busy road in extremely cold weather to line up for morning formation, after having to sleep with rats and roaches. Not only is it apparent that this military-discipline experiment on very ill human beings is absurd and useless, it's even more appalling that no intelligent, caring personnel seem to be in a position to do anything about it.

I am so incensed, I can hardly put into words the magnitude of my outrage that this is all happening just down the road from Congress and the White House, with no apparent show of concern from those in a position to change it right away. As a native San Antonian from a proud and patriotic American military family, whose own father died at Brooke Army Medical Center 16 months ago and two oldest brothers fought bravely in Persian Gulf War I (the oldest is now buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery), I know that we can do better. Why should our Irag-war heroes deserve any less than any member of Congress would receive should he or she fall ill at any moment?

I would be interested in hearing from the honorable Senator about her specific plans to do everything within her power to make sure the conditions and treatment of our military heroes change IMMEDIATELY at Walter Reed and any other such facilities where military heroes must suffer through such undignified treatment. At this very moment, as I write these words and contemplate the facts as they have been reported, assuming them to be generally true, I am ashamed of how we as a nation have failed and insulted those who have given everything up for our safety and freedom.

I cannot imagine that it would not be worth your time to not only work diligently to change things for the sake of our heroes and their families, but also for your own sake and your ability to sleep well at night. I know this is not your fault specifically. But, as a member of the United States Senate and from the great state of Texas, no less, you have the power to influence this situation for dramatic change very quickly. This is the kind of situation where our elected representatives prove themselves worthy (or not) of the trust the people have placed upon them. I will pray for your wisdom and fortitude as you move forward on this matter.

Humbly and respectfully,
Abe Hernandez, Esq.