Iraq War Objector, Sgt. Kevin Benderman, Court-Martial Begins Today

[G_j]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2005/07/28/national/w013333D55.DTL

Troop Who Refused Iraq Duty Faces Charges

By RUSS BYNUM, Associated Press Writer

Thursday, July 28, 2005
(07-28) 01:33 PDT FORT STEWART, Ga. (AP) --

Sgt. Kevin Benderman turned his back on war, but he insists he never deserted the Army whose uniform he continues to wear six months after refusing to deploy to Iraq for a second tour.

Benderman served in Iraq during the 2003 invasion, but says he decided he could no longer be a part of the destruction he witnessed, even if that meant choosing his conscience over his commitment to his fellow troops.

He faces a general court-martial Thursday on charges of desertion.

"I went to war. I never ran from it," Benderman said Wednesday. "I experienced it and I realized it's not what I should be doing. In my opinion, it's not what anybody should be doing in the modern world."

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http://www.bendermandefense.org/
Thursday, July 28, 2005

Court-Martial Begins Today: Kevin's Supporters Gather for Trial at Ft. Stewart and Demonstration Across Country

[goodhue]

1. a true hero

[ulysses]

2. his wife posted here a while back, right?

All best to Sgt. Benderman.

[G_j]

3. yes, both of them have

Quite a few times, I know they have appreciated the support of many here.

This must be a stressful time.
If only more people had their courage.

[ulysses]

4. damn - I missed his posts

Courage - yes.

[G_j]

7. Kevin posted at least once

under his wife's screen name. I remember replying to his post.

He was saying he didn't consider himself brave or a hero, just doing the right thing.

[gratuitous]

11. Sometimes that's all it takes to be a hero

Doing the right thing when so many others are doing the wrong thing. The courts and the government, of course, can't just let Benderman go, as his stance is in direct opposition to our national mythic belief in redemptive violence, the idea that the only way to overcome violence and hatred is with greater violence and more virulent hatred.

[G_j]

12. "national mythic belief in redemptive violence"

that really says it.

[Solly Mack]

5. I hope the judge sees fit to let the man go in peace

Some will use the excuse that an example needs to be made...but in a military where the CinC advocates torture and grants immunity to the commanders and the interrogators, while jailing the rank and file solely because of publicity, then no one within that military has the moral authority to make an example out of anyone.

Let the man go in peace.

[G_j]

6. absolutely

at least it was good to hear the phony larceny charges were thrown out.

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. Will keep this family in my prayers today.

[G_j]

9. ~kICk~

[Coexist]

10. kick - nominated

[goodhue]

13. kick

[G_j]

14. kick

[ClayZ]

15. Here is a Hero!

May his words be heard across the land!


:kick:

[Karenina]

16. Kick!

:kick:

[frictionlessO]

17. and another! Kick!

So very important to support this man.

[eridani]

18. "The chimes of freedom flashing"

"Flashing for the warrior, whose strength is not to fight"

[kevinand monica]

19. THANK YOU FROM THE BENDERMANS

This is just a thank you -- I have posted in all the threads that I could see that have been in support of Kevin.

Tonight was difficult. I went to visit him at the jail where he is confined. It was hard -- he was wearing the typical black and white striped pajama style clothes -- and basic velcro white tennis shoes -- VERY UN-KEVIN. He is strong, though - and he is proud. I am proud of him - Kevin has done nothing wrong. We will fight this - we will not let them win - as much as they think they have.

Kevin is free -- they do not own him. It will stay that way. I will make sure of it. He will not be alone, he will not be forgotten and what he stands for will be expressed in every way that I know possible - as loudly as possible - in his honor and because he deserves it.

Thank you for being there for him. We both are grateful.

I love my husband. I am proud of him, and I am proud of all of the good people who support his work.

Fondly. Monica Benderman

[marions ghost]

20. thank you both

for standing up for your principles. A man who would go to jail rather than go back to kill in a war he doesn't believe in is a hero in my book. We continue to support your work.
:loveya: