Dear Rufus Gifford,
I’m not writing as a politician.
Not as an analyst.
I’m writing as a Danish Afghanistan and Iraq veteran.
And yes – this brings tears to my eyes.
When the U.S. today calls Denmark a poor ally, it feels like a slap in the face to those of us who were actually there.
After 9/11, Denmark did not hesitate.
We didn’t debate polls.
We didn’t calculate politics.
We put on our gear.
We said goodbye to our families.
We kissed our children goodnight and hoped we’d see them again.
We stood side by side with American soldiers.
We patrolled together.
We covered each other.
We bled together.
And we lost people.
Danish soldiers never came back home because we took the alliance seriously – not as words, but as a promise between soldiers.
So when Denmark is called disloyal, it doesn’t just hit a country.
It hits those of us who wore the uniform.
It hits the fallen.
It hits the families still paying the price.
We don’t expect thanks.
We don’t expect applause.
But we do expect honesty.
And respect for history.
Denmark was there when it mattered.
And we were not half-hearted.
A solider never forgets who stood by his side.
Nations shouldn’t either.
Thanks for your voice, you have the respect from the Danish people.