 Fellow American,
My name is Samantha Swarts and I'm the proud wife of Navy SEAL Chief Dave Swarts.
That's Dave holding our son, Hudson, in the photo I've included.
I know we've never met – but if you would move heaven and earth to protect your family, then I pray that you'll understand why I'm writing to you today.
As you may know, Navy SEALs are one of the most elite special operations forces in the world – which means they're usually the first ones sent into the most dangerous situations.
So when Dave got the call to provide training and support to the Afghan Local Police (ALP), I was thrilled. Finally a deployment where he wouldn't be directly in harm's way!
I never imagined that Dave's "safest" mission would end in a nightmare...
You see, on May 31, 2012, the ALP brought in several Taliban insurgents for questioning about an IED blast that killed one of their Afghani officers.
Dave and his team helped separate the Taliban for what they thought would be routine questioning. But it quickly became clear the Afghani police didn't want information – they wanted revenge.
The ALP guys began abusing their Taliban detainees – hitting, kicking, beating with antennas and hoses, and dropping rocks on them.
Dave and his team rushed to stop them. They took over the questioning and safely figured out that the Taliban insurgents were indeed responsible for the deadly IED blast.
The SEALs told the ALP that they should hold onto the men for more questioning. But instead, oddly enough, the ALP commander decided to let them go.
Dave and his men were dumbfounded. They knew the insurgents would likely be back out on the streets making more bombs.
So imagine their shock when they heard that one of the insurgents who'd been let go turned up dead the very next day – and that the SEALs were being blamed for his death!
The Navy launched an investigation and after months of review board hearings and testimony, they finally determined that Dave and his team had done NOTHING wrong.
In fact, they concluded that the SEALs' actions actually stopped further abuse of the detainees by the ALP.
And in November 2012, Dave and his team were officially found NOT GUILTY.
But THREE YEARS LATER, the New York Times published an article accusing the members of SEAL Team 2 of war crimes in Afghanistan.
The Navy launched a new investigation.
And now, more than five years after the incident, Dave has been charged with conspiracy to make a false statement, assault with a deadly weapon, obstruction of justice and wrongfully discharging a firearm.
If he's found guilty, Dave will be sent to prison for 19 years.
19 years locked away in a prison for a crime he didn't commit.
My friend, you can't imagine how scared I was every single time Dave was deployed that he would be killed.
I used to imagine having to tell our children that daddy wasn't coming home.
But how do you tell your children that daddy isn't coming home because our very own government – the one he risked his life to protect – won't protect him?!
My mind races at night thinking about what I will do if Dave is sent to prison.
So right now I'm trying to stay focused on the biggest problems we're facing: how are we going to pay for Dave's defense?
Going up against the federal government in a case like this can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. But raising two children on one military salary means we don't have that kind of money in our bank account.
So it felt like an answer to my prayers when I received a call from a retired Marine by the name of Major Bill Donahue who had heard about Dave's case.
His organization, the United American Patriots (UAP) helps warriors who have been unfairly indicted for their split-second actions in combat. Major Donahue knows firsthand from combat tours in Vietnam that you can't send troops into terrorist combat zones and second-guess their actions from a desk in Washington.
UAP has generously offered to help pay for Dave's legal defense. But first they have to raise money for a trial, which will require hours of legal research, expert witnesses, and legal motions.
UAP is a non-profit organization, which means they don't receive any funding from the federal government – only private donations from patriotic Americans.
As the wife of a Navy SEAL, I'm not used to asking for help. But today I'm going to take a deep breath and ask you one of the hardest questions I've ever asked another person:
Will you help UAP fight for my husband by making a donation of any amount today?
Your gift is tax-deductible. And it will help us pay for Dave's trial and help other innocent service members who've been unfairly charged, too – including two other SEALs on Dave's team.
My friend, I know we've never met. But I hope you'll find it in your heart to help UAP fight for my husband.
Whether you can send $10 or $100, your contribution could be the difference between letting my husband rot in prison for the next 19 years for a crime he didn't commit... or keeping him at home with his family where he belongs.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Gratefully,
Samantha Swarts
P.S. Dave was awarded a Bronze Star several years ago for his courageous service in the SEALs. And he was just awarded another Bronze Star with valor for heroic action in fighting ISIS extremists just before being charged in this case! He and his teammates are some of the finest warriors this Country has – and we need them out there defending us against the countless threats we face. Please help UAP fight for Dave's freedom so he can continue fighting for yours on the battlefield. Thank you in advance for your support. | |
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