And Cindy's KOS Diary: Open Letter To George Bush
November 21, 2005 Kevin and Monica Benderman, OrbStandard.com
Open Letter to George Bush from Kevin Benderman November 20, 2004 followed by Open Letter to George Bush One Year Later By Monica Benderman
Monica Benderman is the wife of Sgt. Kevin Benderman, Prisoner of Conscience, serving a 15 month sentence at Ft. Lewis Correctional Facility, for speaking out against war, and for daring to tell the Truth.
Updated with the following:
A Thanksgiving letter to G.I. Special from Monica Below this.
"For All Of The Soldiers Who Have Died"
From: Monica Benderman
To: GI Special
Sent: November 24, 2005
For all of the soldiers who have died at the hands of these people -- for all of the soldiers who suffer irreparable wounds, internal and external, because these people don't care about anyone except themselves -- Kevin has faced everything that he has - and it's time for these people to pay the piper.
With the letter to Bush that Kevin sent last November [see below], he clearly told Bush and his commanders what he intended to do. He said no more -- that one letter was all he needed.
On December 22, 2004, I clearly told the American people what they were allowing these people to do to our soldiers and their families in an Open Letter to Our Leaders. [See below.] There was nothing more that needed to be said. Words weren't going to do it -- actions were.
We spent one year silently taking everything they could throw at us, because of those two letters - and we documented everything - sworn statements, testimonies that contradicted each other, counseling statements that were meant to shut Kevin up, legal motions filed that were designed to keep Kevin's voice from being heard in the court room -- the year is over -and now they will face what they did.
We believe we have all the evidence we need, and we hope the BendermanTimeline website will serve as the showcase for what we have to say.
Thank you for supporting us - and for staying connected. Lots of people, because we didn't openly speak out, thought we didn't know, and thought we couldn't see. We saw -- but it's faith in what isn't seen, and trust in what cannot be said, that brings the best results.
Hopefully we will accomplish what we set out to do when we started.
If we do - it will make everything we have been through worth something for the sacrifice. And -- it should be what brings Kevin home -- soon.
Thanks again.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Monica and Kevin Benderman
End Of Update
Kevin and Monica Benderman
(Photo Credit: Lewis M. Levine, distributed by www.bendermandefense.org)
Three Direct Ways You Can Support
Kevin Benderman
November 20, 2004
To: George W. Bush
From: SGT Kevin M. Benderman
When are you going to tell the truth to the people of the United States?
Why don't you tell them why you want to be in Iraq so bad?
I was there for six months and I did not see the first weapon of mass destruction. I did receive orders from the company commander to shoot children if they threw small rocks at us and that was when I figured out that the entire thing was way over the line.
Over 1200 soldiers have died in Iraq so that you can have a couple billion more dollars, that should make you feel very good about yourself.
The soldiers that have died for this sham that you have put over on the American people are so much more deserving than that. You are not worth the dust off of their boots.
If you truly had respect for the military and the people that serve then you would not continue to kill them in your war.
I joined the Army to protect my country and not to be a mercenary for a political despot.
If you wish to put me in prison because of my views then you should make room for about 75% of the military.
And while you are at make some room for yourself and about half of your administration. You are responsible for what happened at Abu Gharaib and you are shirking your responsibility.
The commander in chief is not above the UCMJ, as you would like to believe.
I want to fulfill my contract that says I joined the Army to protect my country against all enemies foreign and domestic, and as far as I am concerned you are a domestic enemy of the United States.
You care nothing for this country; you just care about the profits that are to be made from the oil in Iraq. That much is evident to me from the way the contracts were passed out to Halliburton and KBR. It must be nice to have the deck stacked in your favor by the president of the USA.
Since your are raising the debt ceiling of America so that we can pay the bills that you have run up, why don't you forgive the debts of every one in the armed forces since they are the ones that are making it possible for you to make billions from the oil from Iraq.
Sincerely,
SGT Kevin M. Benderman
By Monica Benderman
Dear Mr. Bush:
Over one year ago, my husband showed the integrity of a true leader by facing everything he had committed to for you, in the name of well, first there was national security, then it was freedom from tyranny for the Iraqis, then it was terrorism, then it was freedom for the American people, and what is it now????
Don't worry we know. It hasn't changed. First it was oil, then it was saving face for a president who has never faced responsibility for his actions EVER.
But now, you are a president who has nowhere left to hide you've seen for yourself, the doors are locked you cannot escape us.
You and your army of commanders could not allow my husband to have his voice you actually thought you could control him and the TRUTH he had to speak. You put him in prison, and thought you could take him away from me. You dared to believe we would go away quietly and leave you to your war.
Your army cannot control him, because the Truth will not hide. And the commitment my husband made to defend the constitution, to keep his soldiers safe and to defend his home and his family has a depth of integrity you will never understand.
Your doors are locking around you, Sir. And the jail cell that you put my husband in the prison that confines all of our soldiers this war and the horrific actions you have asked them to commit in our country's name their doors are opening. I hope you feel every moment of this and, Sir, I hope you know it comes from Kevin and me.
For over a year, my husband, Sgt . Kevin Benderman took everything the military could pound him with, and walked tall, held his head high knowing the day would come when the "Truth would set him free."
I walk every step with him, Sir not to hold him up when his drugged stupor wears off, no, Sir I walk proudly by my husband's side, because I know the leader that he is, and I know the strength that he has.
It is an honor, Sir to stand by his side and help him build his case against you, and all of those who have dared to disrespect him.
What is it that you and the commanders who imprisoned him are so afraid of?
Why was it that they were so willing to commit crimes, to tell lies and to manipulate evidence in my husband's case?
Because they have known from the beginning that he speaks the truth and my husband's voice is a powerful voice. They should be afraid you should be afraid - very, very afraid.
You dared to use this country to give yourself a place in history. You dared to use my husband's integrity, his honor and his commitment to duty, and thought that his dignity could somehow serve to make you great.
You were wrong, Sir.
One year ago, my husband told the world what he knew to be true. Attorneys -advisors told him it would be difficult to prove. Kevin and I knew better and I stood beside him knowing we would face what you and your commanders would try to do, together, and in time, YOU would prove what he already knew. That is what happens with the Truth. He knew this because he lives this a powerful man.
You, Sir wouldn't know the truth if it looked you in the eye. AHHH... I'm wrong you know the truth and it terrifies you.
Those locked doors in Korea they are the end of your road there is no one to help you, and what you thought you had locked away is your worst nightmare now.
My husband will not be silenced for he speaks the Truth, and it is coming for you.
Please visit the websites at BendermanTimeline and BendermanDefense
Monica and Kevin Benderman may be reached at mdawnb@coastalnow.net
Visit: Military Project-G.I. Special
James Starowicz
USN '67-'71
'67-'68: Meridian Mississippi/Naval Air Station
'68-'70: GMG3, Panama Canal Zone/Rodman Naval Base
'70-'71: GMG3, Coronado Calif, CounterInsurgency/S.E.R.E. School, Vietnam in-Country COMNAVFORV
Member: Veterans For Peace
