Sunday, July 30, 2006

Colonel Rich Higgins Murdered by Hezbollah

On February 17, 1988, a month and a half after taking command of UN Observer Group Lebanon, LtCol Rich Higgins was captured by Hezbollah terrorists. At some unknown later date, he was murdered by his captors. His remains were eventually returned and interred at Quantico National Cemetery on December 30, 1991, a week after what would have been Rich and Robin's 14th wedding anniversary.
The official US designation for his captivity status was and is, hostage.

He was never officially considered a Prisoner of War and was never afforded the protections that designation implied.


I had been trying all day to remember his name. I have never forgotten HIM. Unfortunately, the image that goes through my mind when I think of him is a photo of a man hung with a blindfold over his eyes. I remember thinking how terrible it must have been for his wife to see that picture all over the news. I also remember thinking how terrible his captors were.

I also have not forgotten that he was NEVER ONCE treated like a Prisoner of War, because he was wearing the blue of the UN, and was not 'captured' by those wearing the uniform of another country.

Or that his wife had to fight for his right to have the POW medal, finally granted posthumously after a ten year or so struggle.

He was 'captured' by Islamofacists. His name?

Colonel Rich Higgins.

His Captors? Hezbollah.

Part of his story is also what made my ears perk up when I heard Michael New's story.

What have the two very different men got in common? One was wearing the UN blue, and one refused to do so, because it is NOT part of a US military uniform, nor part of the oath he took. One was not considered a POW because he wore the Blue of the UN, and the other was subjected to court martial for refusing to wear it to Macedonia after Clinton 'ordered' it.

But the name Colonel Higgins came back to me tonight listening to other Hezbollah captives. And the name Hezbollah had not really ever left my memory.

They are the captors of (among others)... Terry Anderson (for nearly seven years), Thomas Sutherland, Frank Reed, Joseph Cicippio, Edward Tracey, Allen Steen, Jesse Turner, Robert Polhill, and Fr Lawrence Jenco.

What is the point of this piece?

To remind myself why I do not like Hezbollah, why I don't trust the UN, why we as Americans need to wake up.... because those same Hezbollah that captured and killed our American USM Colonel Rich Higgins while WEARING the UN BLUE also hate Americans who do NOT wear it, as much as they hate Israelis.

And there are many believing that it is just those 'terrible Israelis' who fire into 'civilian targets' who are the cause for all that trouble over there .... forgetting that Hezbollah has a history...and that the UN did not protect our people even back then...even when wearing the Blue Insignia.

Colonel Rich Higgins deserves to be remembered!

Terry Anderson and all deserved to also be remembered.

And those pressuring us to trust the UN, to follow the UN, to let the UN handle the Middle East even longer... need to remember Colonel Rich Higgins, too.

Hezbollah is an enemy. And the UN has not kept the world safe from that enemy.

From Lt Colonel Robin Higgins:

When American service members are captured, they must be treated by us as "prisoners of war," not "hostages." A "hostage" is a civilian caught in the line of fire, and held for some sick political or financial reason. Service members are held because they represent to those who would harm us, all the perceived weaknesses of democracy. When servicemen or women are captured they behave as prisoners of war, not hostages.

They live day by day by the Code of Conduct:

"I am an American, fighting in the Armed Forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense....I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America."

Because Colonel Higgins' country always considered him a "hostage" and never a "prisoner of war," there were never any demands of international rules of treatment, no Red Cross visits, no insistence on medical care or humane treatment, no POW medal to signify what he endured.

The State Department, not the Defense Department, had the lead. That meant diplomacy, not military might. It meant no retribution, no retaliation, no rescue.

That had to do with the perceived political sensitivities of civilians being held at the same time, but let's not ever forget we owe a special debt to those who go into harm's way because of their unique bond to this country.

Whenever and wherever we commit American service members, we must acknowledge they will be subject to those who would harm them, whether in combat or terrorist acts.

We must ensure that:

1. This country has a clear, unambiguous, and achievable goal in taking this drastic step.

2. We are prepared to defend our men and women in uniform with all our will and with all our might when they fall.

3. And we do not send a peacekeeper where there is no peace.



UPDATE from LtCol Robin Higgins - USMC Retired...
After over 10 years of fighting with our govt on this, I have finally received a POW Medal for Rich. Of course, the Secretary of the Navy was quick to point out that this does not change his "official status" as a detainee or hostage or whatever. Supposedly that takes an Act of Congress -- really. But you know what an American will do for a piece of ribbon. Now I can finally get Rich's medals mounted.

posted by WI Catholic @ 7/30/2006 10:44:00 PM 

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