CDC report says unintentional harm is main reason for demise for active-duty service members.
SAN DIEGO — Moms of active-duty service women and men are becoming a member of forces demanding motion and solutions from the USA Navy.
The group “Moms of the Fallen” need the army to be held accountable for the deaths of their little kids whereas on energetic obligation.
Christiana Sweetwood is Lance Corporal Chase Sweetwood’s mother. Chase was certainly one of 9 Marines who drowned in an AAV coaching train July 30, 2020 off the coast of San Clemente.
Christiana says after dropping her son, what recruits and oldsters do not know, may cease them from even becoming a member of the army.
“It is onerous. It is a onerous struggle. There’s loads of grief. Push on. We do it for our boys. Each single day, I’ll struggle,” stated Sweetwood.
Sweetwood and the opposite households filed a lawsuit towards the maker of the AAV, however she says the U.S. Navy ought to be held accountable as nicely.
“I do not need to see another boy or woman introduced house in a casket with a flag draped over it, telling you that your youngster is a hero, when actually they killed your youngster.”
Manuel Gomez is the Black Ops Non-public Investigator serving to Moms of the Fallen. He served within the army for many years and now dedicates his life to holding them accountable.
“If individuals knew that the Feres Doctrine exists, they might not be a part of the army,” stated Gomez.
The Feres Doctrine prevents service males, girls, and their households from gathering damages from the U.S. authorities for demise or accidents whereas on obligation.
Gomez says, there are different circumstances that require extra consideration as nicely.
“We’re averaging about 250 murders on our bases nationwide. Fort Bragg has 43 unsolved murders proper now and that is the house of Special Forces,” stated Gomez.
Gomez says, our service women and men deserve higher.
“They’re intentionally not pursuing the proof on these circumstances and taking motion as a result of it impacts recruitment and it impacts the army,” stated Gomez.
Gloria Ortiz is Ronald Valentin’s mother. Ronald was discovered lifeless beneath mysterious circumstances whereas he was on obligation in Okinawa, Japan over Labor Day Weekend 2018. His case continues to be unsolved.
“So, it is okay so that you can kill our sons, our women, our boys? No. Not so long as I am nonetheless standing…it could actually’t hold taking place,” stated Ortiz. “They should say the reality as a result of I am not going to cease combating. We’re not going to cease combating,”
In the meantime, these moms and their households are left grieving with questions unanswered.
“They help and defend our total nation and we’re letting them be killed and murdered on base? I can’t comprehend that,” Sweetwood stated.
Moms of the Fallen say they perceive there could also be different households who could also be concerned in comparable conditions. They’ve a Fb group for these . Click on right here if you would like to take a look at their Fb group.
CBS 8 reached out to the Division of Protection for touch upon this story and haven’t heard again.
CBS 8 additionally reached out to native congressmembers for remark as nicely.
Sara Jacobs responded with the next assertion:
“As a Member of the Home Armed Providers Committee, I’ve made combating on behalf of our army households a high precedence. It’s clear that the Division of Protection has loads of work to do to extend transparency and accountability, and to enhance the security of servicemembers on base – as a result of accidents and different non-combat incidents have occurred too typically, together with the tragic AAV accident at Camp Pendleton. The expertise that many army households have gone via makes it clear that every one the Providers have to do extra. Navy readiness can’t come on the expense of defending the people who select to serve.”
WATCH RELATED: Households of service members who died in AAV accident announce lawsuit towards the producer (July 2021)
