Bagram Airbase and 9/11
Old documents show, During a 9/11 anniversary speech, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz recounted a poignant moment when he claimed to have “stood one night in the dark of night at Bagram Air Base in Iraq” and witnessed an American soldier’s body being loaded onto a plane.
This statement has raised eyebrows, as Bagram Air Base is located in Afghanistan, not Iraq, and Walz himself did not deploy to either location during his military service.
Critics have pointed out this geographical error, questioning the accuracy of his recollections and the implications of his narrative on the solemnity of the 9/11 commemoration.
FIVE Sins of Tim Walz
- Walz claimed combat experience despite no active combat.
- Retired from the National Guard to avoid Iraq deployment.
- Misrepresented service location in 2006 campaign ads.
- Suggested risks in Italy were like combat zones.
- Misrepresented military record for voter appeal.
The misstatement highlights the complexities surrounding discussions of military service and remembrance, particularly in the context of significant national tragedies like 9/11.
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), a Navy veteran, slammed Walz.
“I proudly served 20 years in the U.S. Navy, with multiple deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq – retired as a Master Chief,” Gonzales said in his post.
“Yes, that makes me the highest ranked enlisted service member to EVER serve in Congress. A claim Gov. Walz has falsely paraded around.
It’s important to call out DISHONESTY. Tim Walz should immediately be WITHDRAWN as the Vice President Nominee.”
Tim Walz Lies
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is facing accusations of “stolen valor” regarding his military service, particularly from Republican Senator JD Vance. Critics allege that Walz misrepresented his military record, especially his retirement timing in relation to his unit’s deployment to Iraq.
While Walz served 24 years in the Army National Guard, he retired in 2005, just before his unit was mobilized for Iraq in 2006, prompting claims that he sought to evade combat.
Walz, who achieved the rank of command sergeant major, has defended his service, stating that he takes pride in his military career and has always been transparent about his assignments.
Fact Check
Verdict: False
Although it is clear that Walz has embellished his record in many ways, and has quite probably lied about his time in the national guard, he did go to Bagram as part of an official delegation while in Congress.
So although there are some errors and misleading statements in his testimony, he did not lie about this.