A Message From Conscientious Objector Sgt Kevin Benderman - American Hero

Jack Dalton of Jack's Straight-Speak

I received the following from Monica Benderman earlier today: Hi Jack... Kevin and I had a great conversation this morning... he says to let you know he really appreciates you. He wanted me to pass something of his along... and maybe you can see that others hear it...

But first I have a couple of things I want to say. Not the least of which is simply this: if you want someone of character; of high ethics and integrity; of high moral conscience and standards that you want as a role model you need look no further than Kevin Benderman. Kevin is all of that and more. To be called 'friend' by him is an honor.

When Kevin's unit was sent to Iraq the first time, Kevin saw the utter destruction caused by our invasion of Iraq. He saw how quick and easy it was for people to develop a complete disregard for human life in their struggle to just stay alive; he saw the slaughter of innocent people; he saw the total disregard and elevation of man's inhumanity to man; he heard orders to "shoot to kill" even children.

He saw, heard and began to understand that what Americans were being told about what was happening in Iraq were lies; whose only purpose were to keep public approval for this U.S. war of aggression up - deliberate deception. Kevin began to realize, as have so many others that have been to war, that war is not the answer. And a war based on deliberate deceptions and lies, as is this Bush/Cheney & Co., Inc war of choice in Iraq, is definitely not an answer to anything.

Kevin returned from Iraq knowing that war is wrong; "that it is the most dehumanizing creation of humanity that exists. He saw war destroy civilians, innocent men, women and children. He saw war destroy homes, relationships and a country. He saw this not only in the country that was invaded, but he saw this happening to the invading country as well, here in the U.S. - and he knew that the only way to save those soldiers was for people to no longer participate in war. Sgt. Kevin Benderman is a Conscientious Objector to war, and the Army is mad." The Army's response was to send Kevin to a military jail at Fort Lewis, Washington for the next 15 months.

Sending Kevin to Fort Lewis was the Army's last jab-in-the-back at Kevin and Monica. Fort Lewis is 3,000 miles away from where Kevin was stationed - Ft Stewart, GA - and where the home they are buying is located. Now, not only is Kevin in a military jail, but one 3,000 miles away from the home Monica is now living alone in.

"Is this what we have allowed this nation to become? Lives that are not our own, but the states to do with as it will when it will? That's not an all volunteer military, that's called forced indenture - once it was called slavery." (Monica Benderman)

See Kevin Benderman Defense Committee for further information and updates about Kevin and Monica Benderman and their fight for true justice.