Danish veteran who lost legs in Afghanistan says Trump’s NATO rhetoric ‘betrayed’ him: ‘Help America after 9/11’

A Danish veteran who lost both legs while fighting alongside US troops in Afghanistan has spoken of his anger and sense of betrayal after US President Donald Trump recently said the US “never needed” a NATO ally.Martin Alhom, who was seriously injured in an improvised explosive device explosion while serving in Helmand province, said Trump’s comments ignored the sacrifices made by allied soldiers during 20 years of war.

“Well, he made me angry,” Alhom told CBS News. “Well, it makes me feel betrayed.”Trump’s recent claim that allied forces were “a little bit further away from the front lines” in Afghanistan drew the ire of Denmark. Alhom said the comments were deeply hurtful to veterans who fought and died under U.S. military leadership.“I sacrificed a lot of friends, a lot of family, all because I was put on a path to help America after September 11, 2001,” he said. He added: “I also lost both legs and some fingers, I also had a broken arm, basically my whole career.”

Alhom was deployed to Helmand Province in 2009, one of the most dangerous areas in Afghanistan. He said that the Danish army actively participates in major combat operations.“In 2009, we were deployed to Helmand Province and stayed on the front lines to break through Taliban defenses,” he said. “We conducted an operation called Panda School, which was the largest Allied operation since D-Day.”During one such mission, he stepped on a powerful explosive device. “I got to a position where I could defend the area. There was an IED there for me. About 50 kilograms of explosives,” he said.A few weeks later, Alhom woke up in a hospital in Denmark. “I had to change my dreams, my future, everything,” he said.In response to Trump’s remarks, Alhom said: “I think America has lost its soul.” He added that Trump’s statements on Afghanistan were wrong and ignored clear evidence of the sacrifice of allied troops.“This is not the America I grew up in,” he said. “America is the champion of world peace. and hopes to spread democracy. “Asked what America stands for now, Alhom responded: “I would say it’s a terrible place, well, a terrible place for every non-American.”His remarks came as nearly 10,000 people, including veterans and their families, marched through Copenhagen to the U.S. Embassy to protest Trump’s remarks.