In this moving op-ed for the Washington Post, retired U.S. Army major general Dana J.H. Pittard reflects on a national hero who served under him — Capt. Humayun Khan whose parents famously honored their son at the Democratic Convention last week and stood up to Trump.
In the General’s own words about Capt. Humayun Khan:
“Humayun was a great officer. The 201st Forward Support Battalion, Humayun’s unit, was the most motivated and combat-oriented logistics unit I had ever seen…”
“Humayun had fostered a warm relationship with our local [Iraqi] workforce, and he and his unit were determined to break the cycle of violence by reducing or eliminating unnecessary deaths and injuries at our gates…”
“Humayun died trying to save the lives of innocent Iraqis. His brave effort to approach the vehicle probably saved American lives as well…”
“Humayun’s death caused sadness throughout our entire brigade combat team. There were three different memorial services for him — one with our soldiers at Camp Warhorse, a second with our rear detachment and family members at our home base in Vilseck, Germany, and a third with the Khan family in United States. We named the 201st Battalion headquarters building on Camp Warhorse the Khan Building in his honor…”
“I join all those who stand in support of the Khan family. This family is our family, and any attack on this wonderful American Gold Star family is an attack on all patriotic and loyal Americans who have sacrificed to make our country great. Any politically or racially motivated attack on the Khans is despicable and un-American.”
