News reports of Russian leader Vladimir Putin paying a bounty to the Taliban in Afghanistan to murder coalition forces, including U.S. military personnel, is naturally quite disturbing to the parents of these young men and women.  Our children and their safety, while they stand in harm's way, is our most precious gift to our nation.

Mr. President, dismissing this as a "hoax" or "fake news" is not a sufficient response for a Commander in Chief to those putting their lives on the line. Credible intelligence, including of Russian GRU money transfers to Taliban operatives, requires further investigation. Is putting this issue squarely before Mr. Putin when next you speak together really asking too much of your responsibility as our President to preserve, protect and defend?

As a parent of children similar in age to our own, you certainly can understand our deep concern.  As family and friends of those who served in Afghanistan in the past few years, we need to know if our government has their backs.  Some returned as wounded warriors; others returned in coffins draped in flags.  All, like my  son, an Army captain who served in Afghanistan in 2019, knew comrades-in-arms and Afghan civilians who died.  

Another president once famously said "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."  Can you, Mr. President, ask Mr. Putin a simple question for our children and our country?  We await your response.