Subscribe to Common Dreams News Updates
Most Popular This Week
- The Rise of the New Economy Movement
- Preying on Poverty: How Government and Corporations Use the Poor as Piggy Banks
- The Organic Watergate: Alarming Report Reveals USDA's Cozy Relationship with Corporate Agribusinesses in 'Organics'
- Updated: Under Pressure, TED Releases 'Income Inequality' Talk
- 'Biggest Act of Civil Disobedience in Canadian History'
Popular content
Today's Top News
Iraq Vet Says He Won’t Return
After two deployments, Marine doesn’t want to go back, could face jail
When Benjamin Lewis was 17, he joined the Marine Corps' delayed entry program, looking for a new direction in his life. He had dropped out of school and was struggling. The military seemed like a good option.
Benjamin Lewis chats with a patron as he tends bar at Block 15. After doing two tours in Iraq in the Marine Corps, Lewis is now in Corvallis, going to school and working as a bartender with a new perspective on the war. (Casey Campbell/Gazette-Times) After two deployments to Iraq, and an
honorable discharge, Lewis, now 23, recently learned that he might be
involuntarily redeployed to the region. He's decided that he's not
going back, even if it means facing imprisonment.
The road to that decision was a long one.
Back in California, Lewis's recruiter talked him into going back to school to get his diploma before heading to boot camp in San Diego. After three months of infantry training, he joined the Third Battalion Fourth Marines in 29 Palms, Calif. They deployed in 2004, where the battalion participated in the first assault against Fallujah, supporting front-line infantry.
After a crash course in Arabic, Lewis became a translator for his platoon on patrols. He spent a lot of time on foot patrols in Haditha, living for months with local policemen there, sometimes working long hours with almost no sleep.
"We were really just making a show of force, marching around the streets and making a show of our presence."
After returning to the United States following their first tour, the battalion was redeployed to Iraq in 2005. They operated a vehicle checkpoint in Fallujah for seven months.
"It was a very long and stagnant tour," he said.
He spent the last year of his service as an urban combat instructor in California for the Marine's Mojave Viper operation, where he realized that teaching suited him.
"That was almost like being deployed. It was 14-hour days. You'd get a couple days off every 20 days or so."
In 2007, Lewis was honorably discharged from active duty. He moved to Corvallis and enrolled at Linn-Benton Community College to pursue a dual degree in philosophy and English literature. He planned eventually to work with peace organizations. But two months ago, Lewis learned he was being considered for involuntary reactivation under the military's 2004 Individual Ready Reserves provision.
As a Marine, Lewis had made an eight-year commitment to the Marines, so although he was discharged, he was still eligible for redeployment. But in the year since Lewis had left the Marines, he'd realized that he did not agree with the Marine Corps' actions in Iraq, or with the United States' involvement in the region.
Last month, Lewis went to Kansas City, Mo., for muster, or formal military inspection. At that time, he and other Marines were told that they'd receive their formal orders within two months. Lewis is now waiting to hear the final word, but said he has long since decided to refuse to reactivate.
Lewis has contacted groups such as Courage to Resist and Iraq Veterans Against the War. He's consulted attorneys about what might happen if he refuses. He said he's prepared for jail time, if that is the result, but until that time, he's speaking out against the war.
COVALLIS, Wa. - "After being in the Marine Corps and joining up with the intention of helping people and hoping to execute those romantic ideals you see in the advertisement," he said, "once you're there you realize not only are you not capable of doing it, you're in an organization that suppresses any individual will to do such things."
Lewis started having these thoughts while training other Marines during his time with Mojave Viper. He said that having some distance from Iraq, and time to learn more about how the United States got into the war originally, gave him a new perspective.
"I was able to be more objective, and I was watching these mentalities," he said. "They started to scare me, the convictions that people had over things that were complete fallacies."
Later this month, Lewis plans to fly to Washington, D.C., to talk to activists there. He is trying to start an Iraqi Veterans Against the War chapter in Portland with a satellite in Corvallis. He's been writing about his experiences and his convictions. He's interested in talking to other Iraq war veterans who have served since Sept. 11, 2001, and he's asking them to contact him at corvallisivaw@gmail.com.
He's also awaiting his final orders, and he's dealing with the reality that his decisions could mean he'll face jail time.
"I made the resolve once I left 29 Palms that I would never go back into the Marine Corps."
- Posted in
18 Comments so far
Show AllThere would be more like him if Blackwater didn't soak them up.
I'll say it once again - there is no 'Iraq War' and it would benefit us if we changed the paradigm and re-framed the message. Here's today's argument:
Using the term 'war' automatically assumes the existence of an 'enemy'. Millions of 'Muricans will never retreat, withdraw or surrender to an 'enemy'. Only victory or catastrophic defeat will change their minds. They will not listen to arguments against fighting a 'war'. Even now, 5 years after the obscene Presidential victory dance on an aircraft carrier, the mostly liberal city of SF voted against calling for a cut in funding for the 'Iraq War'.
Why not accept that the war is over? Give them their victory. Hey, the war is over and why are our troops still there? How long will we police the Iraqis? Why can't they take care of themselves?
This argument provides an end run around the (unstated) reasons for our armed occupation of Iraq.
The US achieved its war goals, according to the Congressional legislation that started the whole mess. Once again, they were:
1. To stop Iraq from being a 'continuing threat' to the US.
2. To get Iraq to obey UN Security Council resolutions.
There is no Iraq war anymore, so bring the troops home.
Good luck to Mr. Lewis and everyone like him.
I think that all efforts to bring peace to Iraq should start by eschewing the hawks' frame of "war". Using lies as a pretext, President Bush invaded Iraq without declaring war - Iraq did not attack the US, was not an aggressor to the US therefore Bush had no excuse for a declaration of war against Iraq or Afghanistan for that matter. I would like to see all activism/media outlets call these invasions what they really are: an (illegal) occupation. Replacing the false frame of "war" for "occupation" would help shift our public opinion closer to the reality of what Bush's corporate Middle Eastern policy is, thus facilitating a change in policy to end American occupation in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As disgraced Att. Gen. Gonzalez testified on February 6, 2006 before the the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Wartime Executive Power:
"There was not a war declaration, either in connection with Al Qaida or in Iraq. It was an authorization to use military force. I only want to clarify that, because there are implications. Obviously, when you talk about a war declaration, you're possibly talking about affecting treaties, diplomatic relations. And so there is a distinction in law and in practice. And we're not talking about a war declaration. This is an authorization only to use military force."
I just read the article about the growing homeless population of Iraq/Afghan Veterans. There the phrase "war on terrorism" is used extensively. I've gone back and forth a few times on the war or occupation label and personally settled on occupation; though now I question the function of such. Whether it was WWI or II, or the so called "occupation", a large part of PTSD is due to the sight, smell and touch of dismembered body parts, repetitive bombings as well as being chronically on high alert. Thus, remembering that Joseph Campbell counseled us that a "war" goes on to some degree with every decision we make, on individual as well as collective levels; it serves us better, in my mind anyhow, to focus on recognizing organically the suffering and cost imposed on so many, for the economic profit of the so few...whether it be called an occupation or war.
Happy Armistice Day - Peace.
Good Man!
Deja vu all over again and again and again,
Bushspeak like Trumanspeak, and Johnsonspeak was a way to sound legal about Illegal war.
Bush calls it "war on terrorism" and he is the "War President" but when it comes to defend his war, Bush's War, then his stooges call it an "Authorization to use force". So in their twisted minds it is not a real declared war so then there can be no war crimes on their part in their own minds.
History calls it like it is "Korean war" "Vietnam war" "Iraq war" even the Pentagon wanted to call it the "Long War" because generals are proud to fight in wars not authorizations. Generals know the game around the Constitution they have been ordered to play so this legalese game gives them and all the politicians a little bit of an excuse since they all take an oath to defend the Constitution.
But the old men who ordered the war call it "police action" "fight for Freedom" or "Authorization to use military force".
That way they get away with their Crimes....So far.
We'll see.
Defund blackwater and the rest of them.40% of our tax dollars go to these people.Tony
A great guy who I wouldn't mind having as my bartender. Too bad he's an English major, though. Hey, write poetry or something but don't get stuck in that bartender's job!
If the vets pick up a assault rifle and attack the ruling elite or their institutions then they will know war.
Good luck, never quit.
WAY TO GO, BENJAMIN, AND OTHERS!
What you have decided to do, you do to preserve your inner self, and you also do it for the rest of us out here. May we be as courageous.
Thank you.
God Bless ...
Personally I have been there, and done that, as far as the service is concerned. Having the guts to say enough is enough, that takes a bigger man than I, it is deeply important to know there are such strong people out there. After one tour and two extensions in Vietnam, it became patently obvious that POGO was correct, "We have met the enemy, and he is us." Today, just like then, and probably every other war that has been fought, it is obvious we are not fighting for democracy, we are fighting for whats in it for us, and democracy has nothing to do with it. Dr. Howard Zinn in his many books explains this on many different levels, but when he speaks of his war, he sees it with clarity. Getting into these wars starts off by trying to stop some fascist thug from doing something we find repugnant. Germany was bombing innocent women and children in London, the Japanese were bombing innocent women and children in Manchuria and China. By wars end, we were bombing innocent women and children in Dresden and certainly we bombed innocent women and children in Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Governments have no conscience, they do what they want for what ever reason they want. They have no families, they suffer no pain, and they plainly don't care about those who do. I salute Mr. Lewis and all good people of conscience. Here are the true patriots, the ones with more guts than any of those who would prosecute them.
I admire Benjamin's awakening and his conviction to change course. But there is the little matter of his having "made an eight-year commitment to the Marines." The Marines calling him back certainly cannot be called unfair or unexpected.
Were I in Benjamin's shoes, I'd try to suck it up and honor my commitment, unless they were asking me to so something unconscionable. If the Marines came along and tried to keep me in beyond the eight-year commitment, why that would be a different matter.
So while I'm not unsympathetic to Benjamin's plight and certainly think he could be doing something better with his life than serving in Iraq, his situation underscores the need to know what one is agreeing to before one makes such a commitment. I feel the same way about all those people who bought houses with exotic mortgages. They are just as responsible for their plight as the unscrupulous brokers who got them into their houses.
Dave
http://daveeriqat.wordpress.com/
Your ignorance shines like a star, on a moonless night. His commitment to the USMC was for eight years but was given in good faith. He did not agree to commit international war crimes by participating in an illegal war of aggression. The fact that he learned from his previous mistakes is even more emphasized by his refusal to repeat his offense. I am proud to call him a "brother Marine"-----
You might try reading the Geneva and Nuremberg Accords-----and try to remember that ignorance is not terminal---it can be treated with information, and with enough dosages, over a period of time---can be totally cured. So there is hope for you.
By the way, I am one of those fools who "volunteered" for service as a member of the USMC during the Vietnam fiasco/illegal war-----it was ignorance of those previous mistakes that led so many people to support this latest illegal war of aggression----had that been properly taught in the public schools you may not be so ignorant yourself.
I speak from experience. I was ignorant then---but found the "cure"----it's called "information/knowledge"----------try it, it might change your life.
Executives, Congresspeople and news pundits now claim they did not understand what was going on in Iraq, yet they sit in their comfy chairs and collect all the present and future benefits, despite all the death, disability and ruin their blithe actions caused.
How can you hold an idealistic youngster to a higher standard? He is trying to correct his mistake.
I had a gung-ho cousin who did the same about-face during the Vietnam invasion. He shows up for a moment now and then, and then disappears for long periods. He has been crazy, jobless and homeless for decades.
Benjamin did something that required hard swimming against the tide. Let us hope that we all welcome Benjamin home better than we did my cousin, and give him a chance to use his strength and live a good life.
Joe
First of all. A lot of people enter the armed forces with a naive belief in America's goodness. After the Iraq war many soldiers can no longer see this.
Technically it's "fair" that the Marines are trying to redeploy Benjamin. Thats what he signed up for.
After seeing what the Iraq war is about shouldn't a democracy honor the freedom of conscience of a soldier? You say you'd suck it up "unless they were asking [you] to do something unconscionable." Isn't this war unconscionable?
You bring up the mortgage crisis. These loans were PREDATORY and shold have been illegal. These financial institutions were trying to sell a very dangerous product without letting the consumer know the danger. To say otherwise is shameless and blames the victim.
I blame the U.S. Military and Capitalist greed. Let's not blame Benjamin or poor families for the deep structural flaws of our society.
You have more than one commitment in life and they are not always compatible.
You may have an technical obligation to a piece of paper you signed as a result of false marketing practices. I am not a lawyer, but I believe that contracts that are based on falsehood and deception may be challenged.
Then you have a much deeper moral commitment to respect truth and life. Nuremburg made those distinctions.
Joe
A pretty tough spot to be in. I also was one of those gung-ho fellows who thought I should join up and do my part. I do not know if I did any good or not. Still confused, I guess.
This Iraq thing is a terrible mess. I believe a lot of funny stuff went on.
A lot of folks, mostly Bush fans, say it was right, but you do not see their kids enlisting.
I'll say a prayer for this young Marine brother, he will do what is right for himself.
Semper Fi.
It is a tough position to be in. And it takes a strong person to stand up against injustice, and abuses of power, and those things that we know to be "wrong." Mr. Lewis is on that track.
In 1970 I wasn't a gung-ho type. I was a messed-up kid who didn't comprehend why I was opposed to the path our nation was on, but was left holding a draft notice in my hand and very few options.
I rolled the dice and allowed myself to be inducted into the military. While it wasn't pleasant, it wasn't all bad. I grew up a lot; got a good part of the messed-up straightened out; and best of all from my perspective as a combat soldier, was assigned to a permanent duty station in Germany, not South East Asia.
Having lived under the UCMJ for a couple of years, I'm aware that george w. bush has placed every member of our armed forces serving in the Iraq combat theater at risk of being charged with waging unlawful warfare against a sovereign nation without cause. It might be a stretch, but I'd say that constitutes treason on the part of the so-called commander in chief, since it amounts to making war upon the members of our own armed forces.
The conflict in Iraq was wrong from the start; there is absolutely no way to turn the outcome into something good. Once a person arrives at that conclusion, their willing participation in the further destruction and killing taking place in the U.S. occupied nation of Iraq becomes a psychic wound that will never heal. They'll take the consequences of their actions with them to their graves.
And that's my salute to Mr. Lewis, and Lt. Watada, and every other member of the U.S. military who holds by their convictions and refuses to join george w. bush in leading the United States down a path strewn with shame, violence, and disregard for the well-being of our world.
I can't let this one go by:
"There was not a war declaration, either in connection with Al Qaida or in Iraq. It was an authorization to use military force. I only want to clarify that, because there are implications. Obviously, when you talk about a war declaration, you're possibly talking about affecting treaties, diplomatic relations. And so there is a distinction in law and in practice. And we're not talking about a war declaration. This is an authorization only to use military force."
What did they say about Clinton, "he was parsing his words," well, rumsfeld and gonzalez, that bird just don't fly.
Congress can pass all the legislation it wants; and the bush administration can make all the legal determinations and create all the signing statements and executive orders it wants; and the supreme court can say whatever it will; all those things don't mean a thing.
When one nation sends its military to attack and occupy another nation, the first shot fired and the first foot that crosses the border IS the declaration of war.
By declaring war on Iraq, a sovereign nation that had not attacked the U.S. and posed no danger to our citizens, and by killing its citizens, the U.S. perpetrated an unjustified war against the peace upon the People of Iraq, and the world community.