LET US SHOW THIS COUNTRY OUR PRIDE – Major General Antonio Taguba

“Contribute to the American society and let us show this country our pride. Excel in your life’s aspirations, never forget those who gave you life’s opportunity to succeed, and contribute to your community”. Major General Antonio Taguba, the Grand Marshall of the 14^th Annual Pistahan Parade in San Francisco spoke these words a week ago before thousands of Filipinos from all over the Bay Area at the Yerba Buena Gardens to celebrate Filipino pride.

Grand Marshall Taguba led a proud contingent of World War II veterans, U.S. Naval Forces led by Chief George Gange, U.S. Army led by Sergeant Pelagio Valdez, U.S. National Guard, Veteran Rondala and Vietnam War veterans led by Rudy Asercion.

The war in Iraq may someday be judged in the annals of world history as a war with misguided mission littered with atrocities toward humanity. But, one unassuming, mild mannered first generation Filipino American hero, Major General Antonio Taguba will be remembered as someone who fulfilled his noblest of obligations – an American soldier who rose from the ranks, advancing democracy throughout the world by treating fellow humans with dignity and respect at times of war.

Taguba authored the investigative report which awakened the world’s consciousness on the abuses and torture perpetuated by American soldiers against prisoners of war and civilian detainees in the Abu Ghraib Prison in Iraq. The report made public in May, 2004 contained detailed descriptions of sadistic, blatant and wanton criminal abuses which proved embarrassing to the Pentagon and the White House. President Bush called the abuses “abhorrent” and vowed to punish those responsible.

During the hearing before members of the Senate and House Armed Services Committee in May, 2004, Taguba explained to shocked lawmakers why the grim images of torture, sexual humiliation and human degradation of prisoners of war in Iraq by American soldiers violated the core of our very own American principles and military values. “From the moment a soldier enlists, we inculcate loyalty, duty, honor, integrity, and selfless service. And yet when we get to the senior-officer level, we forget these values. I know that my peers in the army will be mad at me for speaking out, but the fact is that we violated the law of land warfare in Abu Ghraib. We violated the tenets of the Geneva Convention.”

Secretary Donald Rumsfeld feigned ignorance of the systemic sadistic, blatant, and wanton criminal abuses inflicted on the detainees and denied knowing about the Taguba Report. Yet, Rumsfeld and the military command ostracized Taguba, admonishing him “You don’t know how to be a team player.” Taguba was demoted and was unceremoniously forced to retire after 32 years of service in January, 2007.

To this day, no high ranking military personnel has been punished. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld has put all the blame on low level soldiers even though evidence indicated the orders came from the top hierarchy, mostly from military intelligence. The only high level leader punished was Taguba himself for telling the truth and for remaining true to his principles.

After three years, Taguba broke his silence. “The stress of combat is not an excuse, and I believe, even today that those civilians and military leaders responsible should be held accountable. At the end of the day, a few soldiers and civilians conspired to abuse and conduct egregious acts of violence against detainees and other civilians outside the bounds of international law and their incomprehensible acts caught in their own personal record of photographs and video clips have seriously maligned and impugned the courageous acts of thousands of U.S. and coalition forces. It put into question the reputation of our nation and the reputation of those who continue to serve in uniform and who would willingly sacrifice their lives to safeguard our freedom.”

When I asked Taguba if he has any ill feeling for the way he was treated, he replied, “I am an American citizen and I love this country dearly. I felt that our government and the American people continue to advance democracy to other people of the world. We in America and as nation have the responsibility to portray our images as the leader in respecting the values and rights of humanity.

Despite the isolation he endured from the military’s top brass, Taguba remained one of the most respected leaders of the military. A former superior known to live his life with high moral values and integrity, Major General Mike Myatt says of Taguba, “I’d trust him with my life.” To the Filipino American community throughout the world, this 2-star general, who came from a poor family in Manila, earned 3 master degrees, gained the world’s respect, will always be a source of pride.