In his first in-depth interview after more than a year in jail, a Marine corporal convicted of conspiracy and other charges in the death of an Iraqi man tells The Associated Press how he and his squad came to do what they did.
When an Atrosity occurs, in a War Theater, and the Citizens know who are insurgents and who are innocents, it puts All the Troops in Extreme Danger from the Blowback!
Above is the title given to a report by Spc. Eleonai "Eli" Israel on the why he faced the reality of our illegal endevor into a War Of Choice and choose to oppose what he and his fellow soldiers were doing.
Spc. Eli Israel on JVB duty in Iraq
My story by Spc. Eleonai "Eli" Israel. Other reports by Military resisters can be found at Courage to Resist. For like my brother 'Nam Vets, not really too many years back and since, it does take real "Courage" when one realizes the folly they've been sent into to start speaking of the truth to the reality of War, especially Wars Of Choice engaged by Civilian and power seaking Military Leaders for nothing more than ill gotten gains in Wealth, Status, Quick Advancement, and a want for History to label them as Great Leaders forever more!
Two months ago, I took a stand that changed my life forever. As a Soldier, a JVB Protective Service Agent, and a Sniper with the Army who had been in Iraq for a year (running over 250 combat missions), I refused to continue to be a part of the occupation. I regret nothing.
Joining up, the first time
I joined the U.S. Marine Corps in the spring of 1999, the month of my 18th birthday.
"Eli's" journey to serve his country is just one man's story of the why. It varies from my own story as it does from the tens of thousands of others, throughout history. One thing I do know, not all join the military for the monies needed to jump into the Industry of Higher Education, most don't choose that route and never did, most choose a higher learning through experiance, chosen professions, other means than a need for a piece of paper saying they are intelligent. I know I did as did my 4 brothers and 3 sisters, all advancing their intelligence along a wide veriaty of interests. That is what has built this Country, through hard work and the innovations found in the masses, All highly educated but in differant ways.
The military can and does give structure to ones life, that is totally differant than what the majority experiance and it is never forgotten.
Thirteen weeks after arriving at Parris Island, I was changed forever. I graduated as the leader of a platoon squad with a meritorious promotion, and was now well on my way to a shining career as a Marine. Then came September 11, 2001.
Re-enlisting for my country
Like many after September 11th I wanted to serve, again. I felt I owed something more to my country after my years of training. I trusted my president and my leadership to tell me the truth. I also trusted my own integrity. I knew that I would never willingly do anything that I knew to be immoral or wrong.
This time, unlike 'Nam except for many of us who served there, Eli and the country found out rather quickly the Lies that the president and other leaders used trying to justify their bloodlust, those Lies are well known and still there!
I reasoned that my actions during these missions were justified in the name of "self-defense." However, I came to realize my perception was wrong. I was in a country that I had no right to be in, violating the lives of people, and doing so without regard to the same standards of dignity and respect that we as Americans hold our own homes and our own lives to.
Destroying lives
I have taken and/or destroyed the lives of people who were defending their families from being the "collateral damage" of the day. Iraqi boys are joining groups like "Al Qaeda" for the same reason street kids in the U.S. join the "Cribs" and the "Bloods". It’s about self protection, a sense of dignity, and making a stand. The young man whose father and cousin we "accidentally" killed, and whose mother and siblings cry every time the tank rolls through the neighborhood, doesn't care who Osama Bin Laden is. The "militants" we attacked were usually no different than an armed neighborhood watch group who didn't trust their government. We didn’t trust the government either, and we put them in power! Our own sacrifices, as tragic as they are (and they are tragic), are dwarfed in comparison to the carnage that has been brought on the Iraqi people.
Some realize, rather quickly, they aren't there fighting to defend the U.S. by invading someone elses country, that did nothing to deserve the invasion of destructive power, they realize they are trapped in an existance of survival, their's and those they are serving with!
Taking a stand
I informed my chain of command of my beliefs. I could tell from that first conversation that things were not going to go well. I told them that I believed our presence in Iraq was unlawful. I explained that I no longer believed in a policy of war and that I would file as a conscientious objector. Simply put, I could no longer in good conscience participate in a combat role against the Iraqi people.
I was just released from the brig the other day and I’m now in the process of being "kicked out" with an "Other Than Honorable" discharge. I regret nothing.
True 'Honor' and 'Courage' is one standing for their beliefs and trying to live by those beliefs as an example for others to see and hopefully respect.
Military strikes back
The next day I was told that I had been "flagged" as an OPSEC (operational security) “concern”. No reason given. They were hostile and consumed with the task of making "an example" out of me, and they were looking for ways to ruin my reputation and credibility.
I’ll let them think they won, for now.
Freedom
The truth will come out, and there is nothing they can do to hide it. The occupation is a disaster. I’m convinced that every day it continues that it makes America, and the Iraqis less safe.
For many of us that truth has been there since the War Drums started beating and hasn't wained one iota, only gotten stronger as the carnage unfolded, we were 'The Focus Groups', millions strong, that the so called Intelligent Leaders, Media, Power Brokers, War Profitteers, only heard in whispers as we came together in one Large Voice of opposition to the coming Failed Policies!
Seek the truth. Make the stand.
If they were sent to fight, they are too few. If they were sent to die, they are too many!
Is 'Funding' Really For Troops?
What Happened To Funding and Oversite For Military/Veteran Care In Previous Congresses?
While this country swoons over the big money gatherers, running for political office, placing them in tiers, the more money the higher up they go, especially for President, this is how you treat those who give Defensive Military Service to this country!
Out of site, unless you hit the skidrows of your cities, out of mind, during and after we've sent them into invasions of other countries, especially countries that did nothing to deserve the Offensive Invasion!
His fits of sleep brought nightmares of the wounded and dying troops whom Kevin, a combat medic, had treated over 16 months of suicide attacks and roadside bombings. He kept thinking about an attack that killed 13 of his comrades. He hated himself for having survived.
Let them live in their own nightmares of what they've seen, or done. We just don't want to pay the costs for what we've allowed!
"The general public believes that when a vet comes home, he's well taken care of," Downing said. "That's a horrible misunderstanding."
Those who've served know full well what the Greater Majority, who haven't and never thought about, pay attention to and are apathedic and in denial about!
Social workers say combat trauma is responsible for the plunge into homelessness for many veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Unable to cope, veterans turn to alcohol and drugs, lose their jobs and the support of their family and friends, and end up on the streets, said Larry Fitzmaurice, whose homeless shelter in Boston is currently providing beds to seven veterans of the Iraq war. Mental problems "really interfere with the ability to maintain a stable relationship, to maintain a secure employment," Fairweather said.
And the booze and other drugs just bring them further into dispare, for a few they will find the small minority of caring people who try to come to their aid and give them at least some comfort and care. But there has always been way to few caring citizens for far too many Veterans who need much more than just Help!
Than of course we have the families of the returning men and women wondering 'What The Hell Is Going On?', and where is All this 'Support' everyone likes to mouth, Especially when coming from those who sent these men and women into harms way!
Family disappointed in benefits for soldier injured in Iraq
Spc. Josh Eckley returned from Iraq in 2006 with the same two legs, two arms and two healthy eyes he took with him. And therein, oddly, lies his problem.
The payment would have been $100,000 for losing both hands, both feet or sight in both eyes.
We send others to do the killing and maiming, to be killed and maimed, and wether right or wrong, when most return they have many other battles, lasting for years, fighting for what We Owe Them!
A metal rod now holds his aching back together. A three-inch gap in his clavicle prevents him from lifting more than 15 pounds or so. He has headaches and is undergoing therapy for problems of forgetfulness. "They gave me the minimum $25,000 for it," he said. "I don't understand the guidelines."
Jones said she called for an explanation of why her son was denied more than $25,000 for his wounds and was told, in part, that Eckley could dress and feed himself.
could dress and feed himself. Now does that make everyone feel proud of those we call Heroes and Speak of 'Supporting?'!
Now lets look at what we've done this time, and what those we've sent will be living with for the rest of their lives, those who haven't died. As will we all, for this isn't a repeat of past failed policies, this will Haunt this nation for a long time!
Iraq no longer exists as a unified country. The experiment that was Iraq, the cobbling together of disparate and antagonistic patches of the Ottoman Empire by the victorious powers in the wake of World War I, belongs to the history books. It will never come back.
The American occupation forces are one more source of terror tossed into the caldron of suicide bombings, mercenary armies, militias, massive explosions, ambushes, kidnappings and mass executions. But wait until we leave.
I suggest you take a visit over to this report By Chris Hedges and read it in full, if you haven't already. It's worth the read and the thoughts you should have, not about who the front runners are, about the future we are leaving to not only our children but this world's children!
Nice being Responsible Adults isn't it!
Where once our folks sweated and toiled, as their folks did also, to build a better world for us, look at what we're giving to the generations coming!
And the political game playing don't mean jackshit!
