Soldier accused in prisoner beating comes home

San Jose Mercury News ^ | 11-26-03 | David B. Caruso

[milemark]

Soldier accused in prisoner beating comes home

DAVID B. CARUSO
Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA

It has been a bittersweet homecoming for Shawna Edmondson, one of four U.S. soldiers accused of beating prisoners of war at a detention camp in Iraq.

The 24-year-old University of Scranton student and security guard quietly returned Friday to a hometown that rallied behind her when she and other members of her Ashley-based Army Reserve unit were charged with abuse and misconduct.

Edmondson, who accepted a demotion and a discharge rather than face a court martial, said her welcome in northeast Pennsylvania has been warm, but mixed. Amid the hugs from family and friends, she said, she has encountered some coldness...

...The soldiers have said they were acting in self-defense.

Edmondson declined to discuss the allegations Tuesday, saying that it was probable that she would be called back to Iraq to testify in the court martial. But, speaking by telephone from her parents' home in Clarks Summit, about 110 miles north of Philadelphia, she said conditions in the camp were frightening and unsafe. Sometimes as few as 100 military police were on duty guarding 8,000 prisoners, she said.

"We were doing our jobs, and that's about all I can say. People don't understand the conditions out there. It is war. It is not back home where everybody is safe," Edmondson said. "Mistakes will be made. People are dying. Our soldiers are dying every day. But they seem to want to be nicer to the Iraqi POWs than our own people."

Edmondson said she plans to spend Thanksgiving with her family, then see if she can get her old job back at the University of Scranton. Her discharge, which came after a demotion from sergeant to private, will likely bar her from pursuing her plan to become a police officer.

Edmondson said she initially joined the reserves 4 1/2 years ago with the intent of getting training that would be useful in a career in law enforcement.

"I was naive. I never thought I'd have to go to war," she said.

© 2003 AP Wire and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.
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[milemark]

"The soldiers have said they were acting in self-defense."

"...conditions in the camp were frightening and unsafe. Sometimes as few as 100 military police were on duty guarding 8,000 prisoners, she said."

"We were doing our jobs, and that's about all I can say. People don't understand the conditions out there. It is war. It is not back home where everybody is safe," Edmondson said. "Mistakes will be made. People are dying. Our soldiers are dying every day. But they seem to want to be nicer to the Iraqi POWs than our own people."

"Her discharge, which came after a demotion from sergeant to private, will likely bar her from pursuing her plan to become a police officer."

Just as well for her. Civilian police officers also must work with one hand tied behind their back. We have to be nice to the American criminals too, not just the Iraqi terrorists.

[Ace's Dad]

I was naive. I never thought I'd have to go to war," she said.

Good Post. Duh, war is what soldiers do. I blame recruiters a little bit, too. 'Ya gotta tell them about the long hours, discipline, and possible death or injury. Thanks, Avery

DTOM