Objecting Soldier Sgt. Kevin Benderman to Face Larceny Charges

[G_j]

--what an outrage!

~~~~~
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/14/AR2005061401059_pf.html

washingtonpost.com

Objecting Soldier to Face Larceny Charges

By RUSS BYNUM

The Associated Press
Tuesday, June 14, 2005; 3:53 PM

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- A soldier who refused to go to Iraq will be court-martialed for accepting unearned combat pay, despite an Army investigator's conclusion that an accounting error was to blame.

Larceny charges were added against Sgt. Kevin Benderman, 40, who was already awaiting trial on charges that included desertion. The larceny charges raise the possible penalty from seven years to 17. A trial date has not been set.

"It's an outrage," Benderman's attorney William Cassara said Tuesday. "They said up to 100 soldiers at Fort Stewart received that money improperly, and he's the only one facing any disciplinary action."

Benderman, an Army mechanic, refused to go to Iraq with his 3rd Infantry Division unit for a second tour of duty Jan. 8, days after he told commanders he was seeking a discharge as a conscientious objector.

<snip>
An officer assigned to investigate Benderman's case recommended dismissing the larceny charges. Soldiers not in combat zones commonly receive extra pay because of accounting glitches, a Fort Stewart finance officer said at a hearing.
..more..

----------
to find out how to support Sgt. Kevin Benderman, see:
http://www.bendermandefense.org /

[peace4all]

1. an act of pure retribution and desperation

how dare he refuse to take part in war crimes!!

[Tinoire]

2. Kevin Benderman and DUer true_notes

Kevin Benderman is a modern day hero and I'm very grateful he came to DU to talk to us (see sig).

His entire court-martial is a farce and he needs all the support we can give him (see sig line again!)

Just came back from another thread. Seems we have a new DU poster, sailor stationed in Italy, about to tell them "hell no" also.

I hope this is a trend but I really hope we give these men all the support we can!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3858119&mesg_id=3858340

[Karenina]

3. Kick!

:kick:

[Tsiyu]

18. kick

[G_j]

4. though I know he doesn't think of himself as a hero

he has taken a courageous stand and is an inspiration to others who also deeply care. There is little doubt there will be more and more people in the military resisting the criminal enterprise called the "Iraq war".

[Catrina]

5. That's an outrage!

That issue was resolved, and I believe Kevin and Monica explained that the extra money in his paycheck was combat pay and that he reported it after he made the decision to apply for CO status and not to return to Iraq. The delay in deducting it was not his fault, and AIRC, it was eventually deducted

Actually, though, since everyone knows this is a sham, I wouldn't be surprised if the judge throws this out also. So, maybe it is a good thing for Kevin. It shows they have no case against him, imo.

I will link this thread over to the other forum where Monica and Kevin post regularly and maybe they can give us their opinion of the fake charge.

The prosecution should remember that the judge already threw out the other charges which he found to be 'biased'. This is even more obvious bias and desperation, imo.

Kevin is a true American hero ~ and each new day, as more and more of their lies are revealed, his stand against this war is more honorable. :patriot:

www.pinsforpatriots.com

[Karenina]

6. SUPPORT THE TROOPS!

MAY I HEAR A RIGHTEOUS AMI "R-O-A-R!!!"

RALLY TO THIS TRUTH-TELLER'S DEFENSE IN "NUMBERS TOO BIG TO IGNORE!!!"



OR SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCE!!!

[patdem]

7. So the military, if they have no case, can overpay you then charge you

with larceny? Wow, could I accidently deposit my paycheck in my neighbors account (whom I dislike) and charge them with stealing? Wow...now I can not only pre-emptively murder her/him, I can now set them up for any charge I want by doing the deed he is charged with myself. Ain't America Great? :banghead:

[Catrina]

8. It's ridiculous

but, yes, that is what they appear to be doing ~ and it is pure spite, imo. It's not as though Kevin avoided war, unlike the CIC and the rest of this administration, he was there! So frustrating!

Karenina, I agree ~ :hi:

www.pinsforpatriots.com

[monicab]

24. The military is a strange animal to

those who have not served in it. There is nothing else like it, and it lends itself to corruption by the very fact that it is self-contained. In the lowest enlisted ranks, most soldiers don't even know that they have a right to copies of their medical records... or any documents pertaining to them, for that matter. One reason it is so difficult for many soldiers to fight against disciplinary action is because they don't get copies of counseling statements, or disciplinary action reports.. so they have nothing to defend themselves with. Commanders run these soldiers lives... even telling them when to go to the dentist, the doctor. There is something called "Fun Day." It is mandatory for soldiers. What does that tell you... MANDATORY FUN? Soldiers are ordered to report to football and baseball fields and play.. whether they want to or not. In the month before deployment, when family time was so infrequent and soldiers needed time to prepare their personal matters, soldiers were ordered to go to fields and play ball. So many wanted to just leave and be with their families.. they couldn't because even on that day, if a lower ranking enlisted soldier did not report to his commander at different formations throughout the day, he could be disciplined for being AWOL.

As far as disciplinary procedure.. the military polices itself.. so how is that fair? All that does is lend itself to further corruption. That is why we are so impressed that we have a seemingly fair judge for Kevin's case, he actually seems to consider all the evidence and treat it honestly. We just hope that we can continue to trust that as this new case proceeds.

[monicab]

9. Kevin and I were not too surprised...

by the fact that the charges went to CM. It's not about justice, it's about vengeance, and we know that.

FYI.. there is another soldier, Jennifer Dyer, who brought one of her officer's to trial for "rape" - a case which was lost by Jennifer, as the officer only received a slap on the hand for "conduct unbecoming an officer" - was discharged from the Army after the trial was over. The Pentagon is now filing a lawsuit against Jennifer for "larceny." They found a way to make her discharge orders retroactive through the time that her officer was on trial, so that when she was discharged, the Pentagon could claim that she received over $4,000.00 in pay that was not hers to receive since she was discharged.

I am going to send an article to Tinoire to have linked to this thread, please.. Tinoire. It is an article about another soldier from Kevin's unit who is also faced with vindictive action by the same command Kevin is dealing with. Kevin is one of the NCO's in this soldier's unit.

Back in November, 2004, Kevin and I were through trying to get anyone in this unit to do the right thing. I wrote an article about the 3rd ID and it was published on Dissident Voice. Then, Kevin filed for CO status. When the command refused to approve his request for the CO application process, they somehow learned that I had written this article. It is because of this that they are doing what they are doing to Kevin now.

Everything will work out.. we know.. but we will have to face it all the way through for that to happen. We appreciate everyone's support, and we hope to be able to stay in touch in this thread as well as on other forums.

We have some plans... and we hope to have them worked out so that the truth will come out for the benefit of not only the soldiers, but all people involved in this madness.

THANK YOU... for everything you give us. We can't begin to tell you what all the support really means for us.

In Peace,

Monica and Kevin

[Catrina]

10. Thanks, Monica

How petty that they would even have the time to pusrue this merely for revenge because you spoke your mind. Wasn't that what Kevin was protecting for all those years he gave to the military, the right to be able to speak freely, amongst other things?

I remember the case of Jennifer Dyer ~ but I did not know they about the charges of larceny against her.

It's sad that such vengeful, small-minded people are allowed to represent the military. I know there are so many principled people who serve their country honorably, as Kevin has.

I hope Jennifer Dyer was able to beat the charges ~ she went through enough.

The truth is pretty obvious to most thinking people, Monica ~ and I hope it will be to the judge.

We are here for you both, because we so appreciate what you are doing, and how important it is.

Thanks for stopping by ~ I just wish this would all end for you. You would think the military would have more important things to do. It seems to me their priorities are not exactly in order. :-)

www.pinsforpatriots.com

[monicab]

12. The 3rd ID has a reputation as...

the "Rock of the Marne" dating back to their defense of the Marne during WW II. They received honors from France for doing that. Unfortunately, the 3rd ID of today believes that THEY were the ones who earned the honor, and use it to their advantage, to TAKE Advantage of anything and everything. This is a very closed installation in terms of anyone knowing what is going on. The reason is that there is so much wrong here.

Revenge is necessary in this case, because they are at risk of having too much exposed about what they have and have not done for and to their soldiers. In another thread (actually the one I believe that Tinoire linked earlier) there are some stories from soldiers here at the 3rd ID, who can offer testimony to mistreatment by officers who claim publicly to care.. but most often, only care about themselves.

In Kevin's Article 32 hearing.. the commander said that he had over 170 soldiers in his command, he couldn't be bothered to worry about one of them over the others... so, in essence, he is saying that it's easier to care about none of them.

This is what the Army has become.

[G_j]

14. thank you for sharing

this additional info. It is amazing how an institution can manifest vindictive attitudes more suited to a spoiled six year old.

It appears similar retribution has been dished out to whistle blowers and anyone else within the 'system' who attempts to reveal truth.
Clearly a time when bullies are rewarded and integrity and honesty are punished.
The 'adults' are NOT in charge.

[Tinoire]

11. THIS IS HOW BUSH BRINGS THE TROOPS HOME: (For Monica)

Posted for Monica but also posted here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3866363




Kevin, Monica, Dawn-Marie and David Beals :toast:

I pray you all have strength to get through this. I am ashamed of what our country has done & is doing to you.

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

THIS IS HOW BUSH BRINGS THE TROOPS HOME:




BRING THEM HOME NOW!!!



An Army Where You Are Lied To, Mistreated, Over Worked And Under Paid Only To Be Told That You Are Pieces Of Crap

From: Dawn Marie Beals

To: GI Special

Sent: June 10, 2005

He told my husband that he was going to deploy that week if he had to go from the hospital to the plane in shackles and chains.

All I can do is ask you to help my Soldier and all other Soldiers in his situation. And I can just pray that someone will finally stand up and take responsibility before he becomes another statistic of an American suicide in Iraq.

June 9, 2005


Dear Congressman,

My name is Dawn Marie Beals. I am the wife of SPC. David Beals, Bravo Company, 3rd Forward Support Battalion, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Ft. Stewart, Georgia.

Previously Fox Company, 2-7 Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division

I am writing this letter in concern for my Soldier as well as the thousand other Soldiers suffering the way my husband has and is currently suffering.

My husband is currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to Balad, Iraq.

My husband suffers from Combat Stress Disorder.

This is his second deployment with the 3rd Infantry Division to Iraq. He has suffered with this horrible disease since August 2003. On 7 January 2005 my husband tried to take his own life.

That night after having received treatment and stabilized at a local hospital his superiors had him transferred to Winn Army Medical Center and admitted him into the psychiatric ward. He was admitted to Winn under a suicide watch in fear he would try to take his life again. My husband has had many symptoms showing that he was suicidal and that he was suffering from CSD.

He had asked his superiors on numerous occasions for help and tried to speak with them about what he was feeling. To no avail he was never helped.

In the weeks leading up to this incident I had myself called and spoke to Chaplains regarding my husband and my fear that he was to the point of being verbally abused by his superiors and suffering from this disease that I thought he may try to take his own life and I was worried for his safety as well as the safety of others around him.

In the hospital his team chief openly admitted to CSM William Grant that my husband had shown signs and had asked for help.

He said that my husband was a great Soldier who never got into trouble and who had just passed the promotion board to be promoted to Sgt. Effective 1 February 2005. He admitted that Soldiers were being told things and treated very badly by the Platoon Leader whom we had already made numerous complaints against.

Yet, no one investigated them and still has not to this day.

When my husband was at Winn, before even being properly evaluated he was told by Dr. Capp, that he was just malingering like all of the rest to get out of the deployment and that he would be charged with malingering.

He told my husband that he was going to deploy that week if he had to go from the hospital to the plane in shackles and chains.

Now, tell me is this how we are now treating our Veterans? If, so we should be ashamed. He was not even properly evaluated or counseled before receiving such accusations and marks.

These Drs do not know my husband, they have not been in combat where he had been. Who are they to make the decision of if he is malingering before they even know who he is?

Another physician who evaluated my husband wrote that he suffered from Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety with the disturbance of mood, emotion, and conduct. On 11 January my husband was picked up by one of his Non Commissioned Officers to go home to pack his bags so that he could deploy. Yes, deploy only 4 days after attempting suicide.

My husband went AWOL that day. He stated that he felt like he wouldn't make it if he deployed with the people who wouldn't help him and didn't feel at this time he could do it. He stated he didn't have a problem with going back but felt he needed and as a Veteran deserved help first.

Now, he stayed gone 9 days, but from day 1 he stayed in continuous contact with his Commander D. Tavares, telling him that all he wanted was the help he needed before they threw him on a plane and this escalated more than it already had. He stated he felt numb, like he had no control and just felt like he couldn't take it anymore.

He made several statements he font felt he wanted to crawl in a hole and die.

He stated to Cpt. Tavares that he was concerned with his mental well being and said he felt that he needed treatment and did not think that he could make it thru another deployment again without such. He then on his own returned himself to his Commander at Ft. Stewart. He was told he would receive treatment before being made to deploy. That he could stay as long as mental health felt he needed treatment.

Now, my husband went to his counselor Mrs. Barnett, she said that he suffered from CSD and needed to be in her treatment program which would run into April so he would have to stay at least thru then for the treatment. She also sent us home with pamphlets on ways to cope with CSD and Depression etc. She asked him what his Commander would need to keep him here. Cpt. Tavares said a phone call will work.

Mrs. Barnett called Cpt. Tavares on 22 February 2005. My husband never heard a response from anyone regarding his mental health class, so I sent an email and asked Cpt. Tavares if she had contacted him. He said yes, she had called and he would deploy on 15 March 2005, that he could get his treatment for this disease in 2 weeks instead of the 5 weeks she had told him he would need.

My husband was given an Article 15, he lost his promotion to Sergeant and he has been tagged by his subordinates as someone who went AWOL. They punished him under UCMJ, AFTER he went AWOL for being threatened by Doctors, never helped by his NCOs, trying to commit suicide and STILL mistreated as if some common criminal.

Is this how you as a Congressman think our Veterans should be treated.

Because my husband is not the first and will not be the last Veteran to be treated this way by the 3rd Infantry Division.

My husband was deployed to the same individuals who would not help him in the beginning. Only 2 months after attempting to take his own life, put on a plane to deploy to these individuals and still VERY suicidal.

When he was received in country, he had comments made to him by 1SG D. McClinton, that Rear Detachment had lied to him (He was given written order when he deployed he would not have to go back to this company.)

Now, he was also ignored by the other Soldiers in country. Then when he confronted one of the Soldiers as to why he had no friends when just 2 months prior he had many. The Soldier stated that the Platoon Sgt had held a briefing before his arrival informing them that he had ran off and went AWOL and that he was a loose cannon and everyone was to stay away from him.

AGAIN, is this how we are now treating our Veterans?

Yet, he left out the suicide part that they had no idea about, or the CSD, or anything else that had happened in the last 2 months. Just that he had ran so he didn't have to deploy.

Then he was put in a talk, to sit because they didn't think he should be in the motor pool. The 1SG would pop his head in and out regularly and ask if he was ok, "you aren't going to hurt yourself are you?" and laugh and leave the room. Did everyone forget?

He wasn't running, he was asking for help and scared and no one would do as they should have and helped him? Since when is the Soldier the common criminal? He asked for help, no one would help, he got scared and ran. Why is this the Soldiers fault? This is the Commanders fault, the 1SG's fault, the NCOs' fault. This Soldier was not a bad Soldier, he had not been in trouble, they were promoting him. HE JUST NEEDED HELP.

Finally after receiving emails from my husband stating he wanted to crawl in a hole and die and the kids and I were the only thing that made him not want to die I emailed numerous people and spoke with plenty, but no one eager to help.

So, finally after getting in contact with CSM Dixon of the 3rd FSB, I stated the situation to him and he sent out orders for the Command to pack my husband up and move him out. He was to be transferred to where the Division mental health would be. He could receive mental health treatment, be under a new Command etc. He said that it was deemed a rehabilitative transfer. My husband was transferred from Tikrit to Balad, Iraq, where he is currently still stationed.

After getting to Balad, he was finally able to see a mental health Dr. The Dr. prescribed him medications and asked how he was deployed to begin with. He also set up regularly scheduled visits.

Now, that's a good question? How was he deployed? How was he punished when in the Dr's own words he had disturbance of mood, emotion and CONDUCT? Should a Soldier be punished and lose promotions, face and the worth of his name because he was mentally unstable? And it is confirmed? Is this the way our Soldiers should be treated?

When my husband went AWOL he had a flag placed on his personnel file for adverse action, the day the punishment he received was imposed the flag should have been lifted.

Yet, the Command failed to do this as well.
The flag was not lifted until last week when I finally once again made a trip to visit Ft. Stewart.

My husband even appealed his Article 15, yet the Commander never forwarded this paperwork to the Major for his review and never gave my husband a final copy of such appeal or Article 15.

My husband has been told in the past few weeks that he was going to be sent back to the Company he came from, because the Command cannot find where his Article 15 went to show he actually was punished and that his old command will promote him to Sgt.

And just punish him again for the incident as a Sgt.

Once, again I believe I have gotten this cleared up as well, but how long is the administration going to allow for our Soldiers to be treated this way?

How many more Soldiers have to be mistreated and take there own lives in Iraq and raise the statistics before someone will say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

Help them, don't hurt them. My husband will probably never receive a promotion to SGT while he remains at Ft. Stewart because he has been tagged not for his disease but for AWOL. That is all anyone sees. Even though under Army Regulations my husband's incident nor his punishment should have ever went forward to his new company. It is to be left at the old company.

If the Commanders had kept there mouths shut and did there jobs then at least he would have some peace in having a fair chance to get a rehabilitative start, but they took it upon themselves to gossip and forewarn the new Command. He is a good Soldier, with a good track record. So, why is he the criminal?

The DOD states that new guidelines mandate counseling for Soldiers immediately before and after deployment to a combat zone. A third counseling is required 3-5 months after deployment as well. My husband did not receive this treatment or we would not be where we are today. In this mess.

Maybe someone should spend their money on a poll of the Soldiers with the 3rd Infantry Division to find out just how many did receive this treatment. Being that there is already a inquiry into medical records being changed at the hands of the Command so that mentally unfit Soldiers can deploy.

No wonder the Army cannot recruit new Soldiers.

Why would anyone want to be in an Army where you are lied to, mistreated, over worked and under paid only to be told that you are pieces of crap.

To be told by your platoon leaders that half of you will not return home from war and that they don't want to have to deal with shipping your Sh** back home to your families.

Why would anyone want to sign up for that I ask myself.

Yet, after everything my husband still wants to be a Soldier. He is the better man. So, I am asking you. When is enough enough and when are Congressman, Senators, Democrats, Republicans, The President and the American People going to start holding the true criminals accountable for their actions instead of the Soldiers with only good marks who need help and never receive it.

So, I am asking you today to inquire into the conduct in this case and situation at Ft. Stewart, Ga.


I am asking that you help the Soldiers who should not have to suffer anymore from something they have no control over.

Help this Soldier get the promotion he deserves, help him get the treatment for his illness that he deserves.

If nothing else, why not offer him a suicidal compassionate re-assignment. When his Commander knew he was being honest and was not lying about his emotions, why not give this Soldier that option instead of punishing him? And yes, it is an option, it works the same as a compassionate re-assignment, except it is just for Soldier who have attempted suicide.

All I can do is ask you to help my Soldier and all other Soldiers in his situation. And I can just pray that someone will finally stand up and take responsibility before he becomes another statistic of an American suicide in Iraq.

Very Sincerely,

Dawn Marie Beals

"In war there are no un-wounded Soldiers"



From: Dawn Marie Beals

To: GI Special

Sent: June 10, 2005


"I don't care what I have to do, I want to and will protect my husband" DM in Savannah Morning News.



I wish I could go and personally bring them all home! Thanks T

:cry: :cry: :cry:

[monicab]

13. THANK YOU, Tinoire..

just to mention... again.. this soldier is in Kevin's unit.. Kevin is one of his NCO's. ON the day that this soldier attempted suicide, his wife called us and asked for help. The commander would not let her into the psych unit to see her husband. I called the hospital the next day, and she and I went together to see her husband (this day is also the day that the command is saying that no one could get in touch with Kevin and that Kevin had deserted his unit.) For the entire weekend, Kevin and I both were available and accessible to this soldier and his wife... and his wife saw Kevin at home more than one time during the time that the commander says that Kevin had deserted.

On the Monday following this weekend, Kevin reported for duty as he always has, and went immediately to the IG's (inspector general's) office on post to report the actions of the command against this soldier. This soldier's wife and several others also tried to report what had happened. 10 days later... the command first filed the charges of desertion and missing movement against Kevin.

[Tinoire]

15. I can't even imagine!

What you are describing to me is an entirely different Army than the one I knew.

Where are all the NCOs? The Senior NCOs, not the 1SGs, SGMs or CSMs who tend to be complicit but the E-7s and E-8s?

Simply stunned and galled at all of this. Please let Damn Marie know that there is a community here that will give her support.

:hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

16. This stinks like old fish scales on a hot day.

[Tsiyu]

17. kicking

[monicab]

19. support for the soldiers....

I posted this on one thread.. but it matters so much to me.. I felt compelled to post it here as well. THANK YOU for your support.

When Kevin deployed, I knew that I needed to support him, but I couldn't support war - not this war. We talked about how we felt before he left. I knew he had mixed feelings.. but he had taken an oath to defend his country (which at the time he thought he was doing) and more importantly, he felt a duty to see that the soldiers he served with were kept safe. I believe that is an underlying factor that keeps many from leaving and saying NO, now. Soldiers have to reconcile that by stepping away and following their conscience, they are not leaving their fellow soldiers. The soldiers there now are protecting each other. They don't know who to trust anymore.. and every day that they are there without a positive, caring support from us, they fall deeper into the darkness that living and breathing combat brings. They just want to get home.. and they are holding on to what they remember home being.

Even while I could not support the war, I did everything I could to support Kevin. Boxes were sent weekly, foot powder, powdered drink mixes to make the warm water taste better, canned meat to replace the MRE's.. new sox and t-shirts.. magazines, books and current newspapers, and pictures from home. I wrote to him every day and made sure that I was available 24/7 for when he called.. even telling clients that I would leave a meeting if he called... they always understood. Supporting him did not mean that I condoned the war... it meant that I would do everything I could to keep him comfortable and help him, through the madness, to remember that he did have a home that was safe.. and it was waiting for him. I think we all have to do that for the soldiers. I fought hard against this war here in the states, the entire time that Kevin was gone, but I didn't fight against him because he learned by being there that he never would be part of that again. Maybe that is what our soldiers are learning now. If they can just get home safely, and bring their fellow soldiers home safely too.. they can say no.. and not return. Once they are aware of how many back here really do feel about all of this, and once they know that they have a place to talk about their feelings without being considered a COWARD.. more will open up and more will say no. But they have to know that they can heal. We won't reach everyone.. there are some who will never change their mind about killing and war.. and being a warrior.

There's a difference between being a pacifist and saying no to aggression.. and being a soldier and saying NO to wanton killing. Conscientious Objection is an objection to war and the destructive acts involved. It should not preclude the objector's right to defend his family and home if attacked, with the amount of force necessary to protect what is his. In this war, Conscientious Objection has become an "obligation" it seems. If a soldier is morally strong, he must question what he's been asked to do. It may not be something that he thought about before he saw combat, but once a volunteer soldier has seen a tour of duty in this war, there is almost an obligation for a soldier who stands on his moral integrity, to say that he will not volunteer for another tour in a conflict with no justification.

Conscientious Objection is the only legal way for a soldier to separate from the military when he knows that what is being done is wrong. In the current military interpretation, there is very little chance for someone to be accepted as a conscientious objector. Kevin and others like him are not pacifists. They just have the moral fortitude to say that they will not be a part of what they know to be wrong. We need to give them that option. By making that option available to soldiers, more will stop fighting, and more will say no to future attempts at similar conflicts. We will do whatever it takes to see that our family is safe, but we won't strike first and we won't shoot to kill unless there is no other choice. THAT should be the essence of the beliefs of the new Conscientious Objector.

We just need to get these soldiers home.. and we need to be prepared for what we will face when they do come home. BUT most importantly.. soldiers and their families need people to listen and know that we are trying to learn how to balance taking care of our families and our communities, defending our constitution.. and at the same time protect ourselves from those who would choose to abuse our service and disregard our humanity. We can't do it alone. We would gladly defend a country that was willing to defend us when we need it to. Soldiers from many wars have done what they could do keep us safe.. and families of soldiers have been there through the sacrifice, giving themselves because they love their soldier. In this war, soldiers have been abused. Just like an abused wife or child who knows they are in trouble, but needs help to get free - the soldiers know.. but they are so busy fighting for their lives, they can't also fight to get free. We have to do that for them. To honor the soldiers we should do what we can to see that they know that home has not forgotten them... but we need to fight like HE** to get them home.

[G_j]

20. CO is a tough one

I was turned down for it during the Vietnam war, even with a stack of letters from teachers, clergy etc. I received draft counseling from the Quaker Friends Service Committee. They told me almost everyone was turned down. I appealed, but never heard back. I wanted to make my moral statement regardless. I am glad I did.
Luckily for me the draft ended in the nick of time.

btw, I just sent you a PM, thanks for the article. Well done!

[Just Me]

21. God, this makes me so sad and so angry!!!

This isn't justice. This is retaliatory revenge, pure and simple. :grr:

I want Kevin and Monica to know that, your courage under fire is truly amazing and an inspiration to me. :patriot:

[lateo]

22. I'm not surprised....

And I wouldn't be suprised to see even more of this happening to them.

[converted_democrat]

23. This is sooo telling.....How low can you go?

[monicab]

25. An interesting development following the larceny charge..

filed against Kevin for combat pay that was erroneously deposited into his account. Capt. Diogo Tavares and SSG Cordova, who are the acting Rear Detachment commander and "CSM" for Kevin's unit are traveling to Iraq for two weeks. There is no valid reason for this trip.. they are just going. They have arranged their travel for the last week of this month and the first week of next month. By traveling over this time, and just for being physically in Iraq for those two weeks, these two soldiers are anticipating receiving TWO MONTHS WORTH OF COMBAT PAY.

Where is the justice now???

[G_j]

26. kick

[monicab]

27. The actual charges of larceny against Kevin read as follows.....

Specification 1: In that Sgt. Kevin M. Benderman, U.S. Army, did, at or near Ft. Stewart, Georgia, between on or about 7 January 2005 and in or about 4 April 2005, steal money, to wit: Combat/Hazard Duty pay, Family Separation pay - the property of the United States Government.

Specification 2: In that Sgt. Kevin M. Benderman, U.S. Army, did, at or near Ft. Stewart, Georgia, between on or about 7 January, 2005 and on or about 4 April 2005, steal money, to wit: tax exemptions and credits - the property of the United States Government.