Soldier Who Refused Iraq Duty Faces Charge

[Rose Siding]

FORT STEWART, Ga. -- 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."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/28/AR2005072800255.html

[Cha]

1. Good Luck, Kevin Benderman..

Whatever happens it will be much better than following the orders based on Lies that a president(cough)told to get us to bomb Iraq.

[uppityperson]

2. Thank you Kevin and good luck to you

Continue to stand by your morals.

[Eugene]

3. AP: Army Mechanic Acquitted of Desertion

Thursday July 28, 2005 8:16 PM

AP Photo GASM601

By RUSS BYNUM

Associated Press Writer

FORT STEWART, Ga. (AP) - An Army mechanic who skipped his unit's
deployment to Iraq while he sought conscientious objector status was
acquitted of desertion but found guilty of a lesser charge during a
court-martial Thursday.

Sgt. Kevin Benderman, 40, faces a maximum sentence of two years in
prison on the charge of missing movement. If he had been found
guilty of desertion, he could have faced five years in prison.

A judge on Thursday began deliberating his sentence.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-5173869,00.html

[wellst0nev0ter]

4. Are These The "Re-enlistments" They Are Talking About?

eom

[DFWJock]

5. Hey Kev

Just tell them you have "other priorities."

[meganmonkey]

6. Here's a link to his website

http://www.bendermandefense.org/

He and his wife have posted here before. They are heroes, AFAIC.

:patriot: