The Continuing Saga of Sgt. Benderman.

[reprehensor]

Sgt. Benderman follows conscience, not orders: Refuses to participate in illegal war

The ongoing saga of Sergeant Kevin Benderman’s denial regarding the legitimacy of war and his refusal to participate in it has now crystallized into a war of words and legalities, pitting his beliefs and first-hand battlefield knowledge against an action by the U.S. Government and Army prosecutors who are charging him with desertion for choosing to follow his conscience, in a war declared illegal by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Benderman is scheduled to stand trial before a General Courts-Martial at Ft. Stewart on May 11 on counts of desertion and missing a unit movement.

Benderman’s wife, Monica says that she is having a hard time expressing her feelings at this point. "Our lives right now have been put on hold by this issue. My husband is baring his soul. I don’t know what more proof these people need, something so simple, so basic, and they do not appear to have a clue."

The Investigating Officer overseeing Sgt. Benderman’s Conscientious Objector application, U.S. Army Captain Victor Aqueche maintains that Benderman does not have sufficient grounds to pursue his claim, and Aqueche’ s DOA (Department of the Army) Memorandum For Record regarding Bernderman’s case recommends disapproval, citing non-qualification.

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