PBS: Soldiers Deserting to Canada Rather than Return to Iraq >

[Stephanie]

And it's one, two, three, what are we fighting for?


==============================

Identifying themselves as "conscientious objectors," some American soldiers are forgoing a second tour of duty on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan because of personal or moral reasons.

GOING AWOL
May 25, 2005

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/military/jan-june05/deserters_5-25.html

<excerpt> SPENCER MICHELS: This Toronto peace group is helping about ten American military who have fled to Canada, with food, shelter and legal aid. Activists estimate there may be up to 100 American servicemen in Canada today, most blending into the population or hiding in remote areas.

Among those speaking out: 22-year-old skateboarder Darrell Anderson from Kentucky who left the Army, and 20-year-old Ivan Brobeck of Virginia, who deserted the Marines, both after serving in Iraq. Anderson says he joined because he was promised healthcare and college tuition, but in Iraq he says he was ordered to do things he never anticipated, including attacking civilians.

DARRELL ANDERSON: They set up a roadblock with, in Arabic writing that says, "Stop or you'll be shot." This is a third world country. How many people can read? And I was in that situation: The family didn't stop, stopped in front of me. I was ordered to fire. I refused and said, "The window's rolled down." And I said, "Look there's children in the back." There's a family. I did the right thing. They said, "No you didn't. Next time you will open fire or you'll be punished." I'm a 22-year-old kid. Should I go to prison because I can't kill women and children?

***

SPENCER MICHELS: In Canada, Darrell Anderson is well aware that some Americans regard deserters like him as cowards, even though he was wounded in action.

DARRELL ANDERSON: I take shrapnel in my side, it's kind of like being in the eye of a tornado, just can't hear, you can't see, and I pull a piece of burning metal out of my side and I drop it in the street cause it's hot. I throw my gear back up; I go back up there. I fight the battle. This was all in one day, and people in America call me a coward. Freaking, I'm a war hero, man. I did crazy stuff in battle. No one else, these guys sitting on the couch saying, "He's a coward" -- okay, you go fight the war.

[Nikki Stone 1]

1. Recommended

This needs to get out there.

[sarcasmo]

2. Canada land of the free. America land of the Evil Regime.

That country is looking better and better every day.

[NinetySix]

5. Looks pretty good out my window right now!

I came here for love, stayed for the politics.

And I ain't going back!

[mzmolly]

8. I'm envious.

:(

[murray hill farm]

3. Their courage and conviction...

give me hope...their words are words of reason..and of a higher calling than that of killer in the name of the high chimpanzee.

[demnan]

4. Recommended

:kick:

[Pacifist Patriot]

6. If I lived in Canada I'd be giving aid and shelter.

But then I support our troops.

[Tinoire]

7. Recommended

in honor of these soldiers and of SGT Kevin Benderman (see sig line)

:toast:

America needs more heroes like you!

[JohnyCanuck]

9. Not a chance. The freepers have other priorities.

like drinking beer and eating pizza.

these guys sitting on the couch saying, "He's a coward" -- okay, you go fight the war.

[TheMightyFavog]

10. They're also too busy...

bitching about how the military should bring back shooting deserters.

[DrDebug]

11. Recommended

:toast:

[Lisa]

12. one of the groups here that's supporting US war resisters

http://www.resisters.ca/