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Mattis defends use of military at border

Thursday, November 15, 2018

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Wednesday defended the use of active duty troops on the U.S.-Mexican border, saying that in some ways it provides good training for war. He argued that it’s analogous to a 1916 deployment to counter the Mexican revolutionary Gen. Francisco “Pancho” Villa.

Speaking to reporters on his way to visit U.S. troops along the border in south Texas, Mattis declined to provide an estimate of how much the mission will cost. 

He said cost figures he has received thus far are “not anywhere near right.” He added that he believes, “very quickly we’ll know the real cost. So we’ll keep you posted as the real costs come in.”

The Pentagon chief said that within a week to 10 days the 5,800 troops currently deployed for the border mission will have accomplished all the tasks initially requested by Customs and Border Protection, although additional tasks are now being worked out between the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security. Mattis did not say how soon the whole mission might end; current deployments are scheduled to last until Dec. 15, but that could change.

In addition to the 5,800 active duty troops in the border area, about 2,100 National Guard troops have been providing border support since April.

Critics have questioned the wisdom of using the military on the border where there is no discernible security threat, although President Donald Trump has said that a caravan of Central American migrants traveling northward through Mexico amounts to an “invasion.” Since the election, Trump has said little about the matter, and no border threat has yet materialized.

Asked whether he believes there is a security threat at the border that justifies the use of the active duty military, Mattis said he defers to the judgment of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, who joined him at the border Wednesday.

Nielsen and Mattis spoke with senior U.S. commanders and addressed rank-and-file troops. Mattis told the troops their mission is to “back up” Customs and Border Protection. 

“Right now that’s our role and that’s all our role is,” he said.

“The eyes of the world right now — certainly all of the Americans — are on you,” Mattis told the soldiers, adding that they are part of a “non-traditional” mission. “We’re here because of the number of illegals who say they are going to illegally try to cross into our country,” he said, apparently referring to the several thousand migrants moving north through Mexico.

One soldier asked Mattis what are the short- and long-term plans for the military mission.

Mattis said the short-term objective is to get sufficient numbers of wire and other barriers in place along the border as requested by Customs and Border Protection. The longer-term objective, he said, is “somewhat to be determined.”

“When you’re in something like this,” Mattis said, “it’s dynamic, it’s unpredictable. We’ll have to see.”

In an interview with reporters traveling with him to Texas, Mattis took issue with assertions by critics that the deployment undertaken shortly before the Nov. 6 midterm elections was costing the military in preparedness for combat. 

He said military officers have told him that the deployment has been “very good training” because it amounts to a rehearsal for the kind of logistical demands — such as loading aircraft — that must be met in wartime.

For the first time, Central Texas Medical Center is teaming up with San Marcos Police Blue Santa to wrap gifts at the Sights & Sounds of Christmas Festival. Volunteers from both groups will be accepting and wrapping toy donations for Blue Santa to deliver throughout the holiday season.

“We are excited to be a part of Sights & Sounds again this year, and to team up with a great organization like the San Marcos Police Department Blue Santa makes it even better,” said CTMC President/CEO Anthony Stahl. “We are honored to help Blue Santa fulfill its mission of delivering Christmas cheer to those less fortunate.”

Sights & Sounds of Christmas attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped gift of at least a $15 value (no stuffed animals please) to the CTMC booth any of the eight nights for a free cotton candy voucher. Adults and kids alike are invited to assist volunteers at the CTMC booth with wrapping gifts.

“Each year, Blue Santa aims to make sure everyone in the community feels the spirit of Christmas,” said San Marcos Police Department’s Cpl. Laray Taylor. “Thanks to generous donations and organizations like CTMC, we are able to put a smile on children’s faces.”

Blue Santa has been a San Marcos tradition since 1972, providing Christmas cheer to less fortunate children in the community by delivering toys donated or bought with monetary donations.

 “This is exactly what Sights & Sounds of Christmas Festival is all about: two outstanding San Marcos organizations coming together to serve the community during the holiday season,” said Tommy Curtis, 0resident of Sights & Sounds Christmas Foundation. “We look forward to the festival every year and are excited to host another wonderful holiday tradition again this year.”

 Sights & Sounds of Christmas Festival kicks off Nov. 28 and runs eight days (Nov. 28-Dec. 1 and Dec. 5-8) along the San Marcos River.

 (401 E Hopkins St., San Marcos, Texas). From 5-11:30 p.m. each night, free parking and a shuttle services are provided in the Strahan Coliseum parking lot. There is also paid parking available about a five-minute walk in the Edward Gary Street Garage.

 

 

 

 

San Marcos Record

(512) 392-2458
P.O. Box 1109, San Marcos, TX 78666