Thank You, Lt. Watada!

I'm impressed by what this person did. The service will probably find some way to make their life harder as a result, but the example Watada is making will possibly have resounding effects that will hasten U.S. military departure from Iraq.

Open Letter From Mother of Lt. Ehren Watada, Resister of Illegal War
By Carolyn Ho
t r u t h o u t | Statement

Thursday 22 June 2006

I am the mother of Lt. Ehren Watada, an officer stationed at Ft. Lewis. He is part of a Stryker brigade unit that deployed today to Iraq. Despite an unflinching commitment to his men and to democratic ideals, he chose not to accompany his men. His decision came through much soul-searching and through research and consultation with experts across disciplines, inside and outside of the military and the government.

After weighing the evidence, he came to the conclusion that he could no longer be silent while atrocities were committed in the name of democracy. He could no longer be a tool of an administration that used deception and lies to make the case for pre-emptive war.

As a member of the armed forces, sworn to uphold the US Constitution, he refuses to blindly participate in a war of aggression, an illegal war that undermines who we are as a nation and violates international law. Implicit in his oath as an officer is the duty to disobey all unlawful orders, for to carry out these orders renders him an accomplice to a criminal act. Furthermore, to order his men to participate in a war of aggression multiplies his guilt a thousandfold. His conscience will not permit him to do so. He believes that he can best serve them by taking a stand against the war. In so doing, he demonstrates that one does not relinquish the freedom to choose what is right, even in the military, and that the freedom to choose what is right transcends the allegiance to man and institutions.

As a mother, I have evolved from fearing for his safety and for his future to the realization that there is a higher purpose to all that has transpired. My son no longer stands at the crossroads. He has chosen "the road less traveled." Come what may, he is committed to staying the course.

I invite you to affirm your support of Lt. Ehren Watada on June 27th, National Day of Action. On this day, groups across the country will participate in peaceful demonstrations, prayer services, candlelight vigils, parades, leafleting, visitations to recruitment stations to provide counsel to prospective recruits, etc. Please contact your local organization for details.

For updates on news and actions regarding Lt. Watada, please check out: www.thankyoult.org or www.couragetoresist.org.

My deepest thanks,
Carolyn Ho, Ehren's Mom

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Tuesday, June 27th: National Call for Action Day to show support for Lt. Watada who is resisting orders to deploy to the illegal occupation.
Members of CodePink and Civil Resist Portland are heading up to Ft. Lewis on Tuesday, June 27th in response to a national call to support Lt. Watada's courage in refusing orders to deploy to Iraq. We will join Tom Krebsbach, who has been doing a solo vigil there several days a week from 10-2. We are still working out the rest of the details. Other peace groups have been notified about this effort and the more who can come out in support of Lt. Watada, the better.

Let us know if you or anyone else you know is interested in joining us. Feel free to contact me  azulism@yahoo.com and I can copy you on to our planning emails.

My husband and I will be there. This is for my brother in law who shipped out from there drafted in 1967. He died in Vietnam. We want to be there for Lt. Watada.

Every time we drive by on the freeway we see sickening pro war displays. Now we get to express outselves too. Hope to see a few signs and supporters for Suzanne Swift who is being held there too.

See you there!