Posted on 01/21/2005 3:13:54 PM PST by Former Military Chick
January 20, 2005 - "I am ashamed to be associated with this mess, and I certainly did not join the Army to kill women, children and old men. I just don't see how these innocent people could be a threat to the Constitution of the United States. An American soldier should not be ashamed of what they do," said Sgt. Kevin Benderman of the U.S. Army.
Benderman has said that he will refuse to deploy to Iraq as ordered. A 40-year old veteran who has received many awards, including four Good Conduct Medals, Benderman was deployed in Iraq from March to September of 2003. During that time, he says, "elements of my unit were instructed by a captain to fire on children throwing rocks at us."
He said that he realized that "the people that we are fighting now are for the most part people like you and me, people that are defending themselves against a superior military force and fighting to keep that which is rightfully theirs." He has also said the Iraqi people have the right to choose their own form of government, "just like we did in America after the revolution."
Benderman, who first entered the Army in 1987, has applied for a conscientious objector discharge. A decision on his application is still pending.
Benderman is not alone in his objection to the war. Twenty-two soldiers in his unit have refused to deploy to Iraq. Seventeen have gone AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave). Two have attempted suicide.
Discontent and low morale are becoming so widespread throughout the armed forces, especially the reserves, that even top officers are getting worried. In a recent memo, Lt. Gen. James R. Helmly criticized repeated "stop loss" orders, decisions extending reservists' tours in war zones, and calling reservists to active duty after they had returned to civilian life.
Helmly wrote that these policies have pushed the Army Reserve to the point that it is "in grave danger of being unable to meet other operational requirements" and is "rapidly degenerating into a 'broken' force."
Meanwhile, soldiers in Iraq face daily attacks from a popular resistance that now numbers more than 200,000, according to the head of the Iraqi Intelligence Service. U.S. deaths in combat are approaching 1,400. As many as one in five returning troops suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The soldiers want to come home, and the Iraqi people clearly want them to leave. In a letter from Kevin Benderman and Monica Benderman to President George W. Bush, they outlined the only way to end the violence in Iraq: "Until America leaves Iraq to the Iraqis, and brings its soldiers home, freedom cannot begin to materialize for the Iraqi people."
January 20, 2005 - "I am ashamed to be associated with this mess, and I certainly did not join the Army to kill women, children and old men. I just don't see how these innocent people could be a threat to the Constitution of the United States. An American soldier should not be ashamed of what they do," said Sgt. Kevin Benderman of the U.S. Army.
Benderman has said that he will refuse to deploy to Iraq as ordered. A 40-year old veteran who has received many awards, including four Good Conduct Medals, Benderman was deployed in Iraq from March to September of 2003. During that time, he says, "elements of my unit were instructed by a captain to fire on children throwing rocks at us."
He said that he realized that "the people that we are fighting now are for the most part people like you and me, people that are defending themselves against a superior military force and fighting to keep that which is rightfully theirs." He has also said the Iraqi people have the right to choose their own form of government, "just like we did in America after the revolution."
Benderman, who first entered the Army in 1987, has applied for a conscientious objector discharge. A decision on his application is still pending.
Benderman is not alone in his objection to the war. Twenty-two soldiers in his unit have refused to deploy to Iraq. Seventeen have gone AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave). Two have attempted suicide.
Discontent and low morale are becoming so widespread throughout the armed forces, especially the reserves, that even top officers are getting worried. In a recent memo, Lt. Gen. James R. Helmly criticized repeated "stop loss" orders, decisions extending reservists' tours in war zones, and calling reservists to active duty after they had returned to civilian life.
Helmly wrote that these policies have pushed the Army Reserve to the point that it is "in grave danger of being unable to meet other operational requirements" and is "rapidly degenerating into a 'broken' force."
Meanwhile, soldiers in Iraq face daily attacks from a popular resistance that now numbers more than 200,000, according to the head of the Iraqi Intelligence Service. U.S. deaths in combat are approaching 1,400. As many as one in five returning troops suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The soldiers want to come home, and the Iraqi people clearly want them to leave. In a letter from Kevin Benderman and Monica Benderman to President George W. Bush, they outlined the only way to end the violence in Iraq: "Until America leaves Iraq to the Iraqis, and brings its soldiers home, freedom cannot begin to materialize for the Iraqi people."
:: Article nr. 9035 sent on 21-jan-2005 18:24 ECT
:: The address of this page is : www.uruknet.info?p=9035
:: The original address of this article is : www.workers.org/ww/2005/reserves0120.php
What is wrong with you?
We called the combat action ribbon (Vietnam) the sitting duck medal. ;-)
Instead of giving this guy a bunch of publicity, just stick in Leavenworth for 10years.
"A Good Conduct medal is given to all service members who haven't really screwed up and served 3 years. This guy is a coward and a leftist scumbag."
Exactly what I was thinking. I think it may even be less than 3 years --- comes automatically w/ an H.D.
Awarded a Good Conduct Medal....oh boy.....everybody gets that(unless you are a real moron)
The link above take you to an Arabic site. If you go to the original site it looks like a communist page. Something smells. If this is true then at the least it's being used as propaganda against our troops.
Thank you for your service to freedom. God bless and many prayers to those you have lost.
I don't know who Danny Deever is. I'm not going to bother to google him. Reservist pukes? Let's not call Reservists and Guardsmen pukes. They'll pulling their weight over there and elsewhere. This guy has made his decision and will stand by the consequences. Let him. I'd rather have someone over there who is willing to do his/her duty than those who do not want to. Look, he signed a contract, he's trying to break it, he'll be dealt with fairly. He's a 12-year veteran and I'm sure he's aware of what his actions may bring him. My beef with him is that it appears he was willing to serve until he was actually called upon to really serve. I know he did one tour over there, he doesn't want to go back. Should have thought about that before he re-upped. If he truly is a C.O. he should keep his face out of the press.
"Danny Deever them!"
You're German, right? How many of your countrymen are fighting in Iraq? Does zero sound about right? Grab a rifle, haul your sorry ass down there and then maybe, just maybe, someone will listen to what you have to say. Till then, STFU!!!
Or the "non-ducker" award?
Take your crap somewhere else troll!
22 refused??? And how many didn't??? Sounds like a not-worth-talking-about ratio refusing.
Bet me DU or a clone of it had something to do with this.
Bet me a burger!
It is outrageous, but I suppose it is of the norm that some feel they are entitled to everything and entitled to it by not spending a dime.
Many join the military not only to serve our country but to also offset their college bills or just to offer service on the weekends.
These guys know that when they sign up, that War is a possibility and that it is THEIR choice to join knowing that serving during war may happen.
I say throw him in jail and toss away the key. Oh wait a minute if he is going to Leavenworth, it is not hard time, frankly it is easy time. The only good they do, in woodworking making the shadow boxes for one's loved one's flag.
Gotta agree and don't let them upgrade theirs like J F'n k. NSNR
Being a troll is bad, but a German troll?
Mein Gott!!!
One step above a frog, but that ain't saying much.
Anyone know how to say "troll" in Deutch?
I'm glad he's willing to accept the consequences. My point is that he's been in for 12 years. He knew he could be called to combat. He is reneging on his obligation and I have no sympathy.
You know my husband is a fine Army Officer, he had to go over to Germany to do review training excercises to make sure our troops are ready to leave at the drop of the hat.
When I awoke to this email in my inbox from my husband, I felt his pain and why he sent it.
These are a bunch of cowards, that is all I have to say, they did NOT need to join, nobody forced them, it is selfish on their part and of story.
Takes all kinds to make the world go around.
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