what do we do with deserters?

[BeirutBill]

An Army soldier who fled to Canada rather than redeploy to Iraq surrendered Tuesday to military officials after asking for leniency.
Spc. Darrell Anderson, 24, said he deserted the Army last year because he could no longer fight in what he believes is an illegal war.
"I feel that by resisting I made up for the things I did in Iraq," Anderson said during a press briefing shortly before he turned himself in at nearby Fort Knox. "I feel I made up for the sins I committed in this war."
Anderson, of Lexington, returned to the United States from Canada on Saturday. He could face a charge of desertion.

Attorney Jim Fennerty of Chicago said Anderson will be interviewed by military investigators, given a uniform and assigned to a barracks while his case is processed. In three to five days, he will be given a discharge of other than honorable. At that point, he should be free from his military commitment and face no other charges, Fennerty said.
"He's not a criminal," Fennerty said.
As Anderson left the news conference, World War II veteran Les Powers confronted him, and shouted: "They should have shot you."
Powers said Anderson abandoned his military commitment and should face a court martial, not receive a deal that lets him out of the Army.
"He's a deserter. He's a coward," Powers said after Anderson was gone. "He should be given a dishonorable discharge."
Gini Sinclair, a spokeswoman for Fort Knox, would not discuss Anderson specifically, but said officers review AWOL soldiers' cases before they are discharged.
"In some cases, you can be here only a few days," Sinclair said.
Anderson joined the Army in January 2003 and went to Iraq a year later with the 1st Armored Division. He was wounded and received a Purple Heart in 2004.
He fled to Canada in early 2005 after receiving orders to return for a second tour of duty in Iraq, becoming a highly visible war critic and spokesman for Canadian peace groups.
Anderson's mother, Anita Dennis, said the military failed in its responsibility to take care of her son after he returned from war.
"They treated his physical wounds, but they left his emotional wounds untreated," Dennis said through tears.
Anderson said he suffered from nightmares and was unable to get the treatment he needed by the time he was ordered to redeploy. He said he was able to get some treatment for emotional distress while in Canada.
Anderson's Canadian wife, Gail Greer, said she supports her husband's decision.
"I'm really anxious and nervous, but he's definitely doing the right thing," Greer said. "I just hope people listen to what he has to say."

[DearMilSpouse]

I think both him and his wife should have a couple of grenades shoved up their ass! But that's just my opinion.

[Trapper]

I am sure the Army has counseling services-Bridge, help me out on that...

It used to be that deserters in time of war was a capital offense, rating the death penalty.

Aww, he felt bad, lets slap his wrist and let him out of his contractual obligations and while we are at it, why not just pat him on the back, thank him for serving in the first place and send him on his way.

So he goes home. Even though he will have a tough time getting a job, he is a free man from his Army contract, and moves on with his life in one form or another. Sooooooo, now the precedent is set. I feel that if they "let him go", a lot more will start deserting figuring they won't get in too much trouble, and they will be out of the military. I get a bad feeling about this...

It reminds me of that Lebonese Marine that went missing in Iraq and ended up at the American Embassy in Lebenon. Massoud or something like that. He did not get discharged did he? He barely got a slap on the wrist, basically. I don't understand how some get one punishment(if you can even call it that) and others don't.

[BeirutBill]

I think both him and his wife should have a couple of grenades shoved up their ass! But that's just my opinion.

Don't candy coat it for us Bridget, tell us how you really feel LMAO!
you go girl!

i was thinking of live court martial on the military channel, and court TV, followed by a public (broadcast) execution.
thats just my thoughts, but on the subject but, I'm a Liberal on the subject as you can plainly see :D

Bill

[DearMilSpouse]

The Army does have counseling services as do all branches. Upon returning the Army requires all Soldiers to go through therapy classes basically. These classes were set up in response to several Soldiers coming home from war and killing their wives. Anyway upon return from war each soldier is requires to attend these classes which help them to deal with what they just went through, etc.. The classes last I think 2 weeks long. Those who are still having problems will be seen by Therapists. However, the Army are not mind readers, the Soldier would need to tell them that they are still having problems.

Here is what I think. I think he wasn't having any problems. I think he just didn't want to go back...period, and he is trying to make excuses. His wife needs to go down for aiding and embedding IMO. She no longer rates the rank of Military Wife, stupid +++++. I'm sorry this shit just irritates the hell out of me!

[Trapper]

I'm sorry this shit just irritates the hell out of me!

Really? I thought you liked the ARMY!

[DearMilSpouse]

Really? I thought you liked the ARMY!

LMAO you're funny!

[nightwolf]

How about we cancel the court martial all together and make his death sentence: DEATH BY LEE ERMEY!!!

Oh and good call Trapper!

[V8403]

Strip him of his American Citizen ship and shp his arse off to mexico

[nightwolf]

Pit him in an arena against Saddam and see if he can regain his honour!

[Trapper]

I just do not understand how you can give up on your country, esp. in a time like this? I understand people's feelings change based on circumstances, but I cannot image what would have to happen to me to get me to forget I am a US fighting man. He volunteered to join the military, knowing he may have to kill someone, etc. A little late to be a concientous objector now, isn't it? It isn't up to the grunts(meaning the troops, not neccesarily infantry) to determine if it is an illegal war or not.

[DearMilSpouse]

He was probably one of those that just joined for free college.

[nightwolf]

Or was probably looking for an easy way to get money and was hoping to slide through his tour.

[Trapper]

Anyone who thinks that is the case is a moron. I served in peacetime, and it was not always a cakewalk. Imagine the work they are doing now...If you look at usmc.mil, there are soooo many stories of units going through this training and that training. And they train hard, knowing they can and will be called up to the show. It is pretty much a given these days that every unit for the most part is going to do some time in Iraq or Afghanistan.

[BeirutBill]

maybe he thought he was joining the boy scouts LOL
throw the book at him!

[nightwolf]

Anyone who thinks that is the case is a moron.

That was my point.

[Trapper]

That was my point.
I figured it was. In the old days when I was on this site, sarcastric intent was colored green. Is that still the case here? Old timers, Hank? Bridget? Do we still use Green text to denote sarcasm?

[BeirutBill]

I'm gonna rush right out and find out for you

you are correct

[Trapper]

Oh, someone DOES remember... the good old days...

[nightwolf]

Well the green text explains alot. I saw Bill do it once but I wasn't sure what he mean't. I didn't speak up about it though cause I didn't want to look an idiot and that just reminded me of a quote I heard on here:

Don't be the first to do anything, don't volunteer to do anything and DON'T be the last to do anything!

[Trapper]

A gentleman(I use that term veeerryyy loosely...) name innersanctum coined the use of green text for sarcasm. It stuck. So if you ever see green text here, that is it. Some people are always sarcastic, so thier text may not be green, but still implied. Now you know.

[BeirutBill]

Oh Really? LOL
i guess the shoe fits in my case

Bill

[nightwolf]

A gentleman(I use that term veeerryyy loosely...) name innersanctum coined the use of green text for sarcasm. It stuck. So if you ever see green text here, that is it. Some people are always sarcastic, so thier text may not be green, but still implied. Now you know.

This has been your world of facts presented by Trapper!

Heh, sorry I just had to.

[V8403]

GOT TO LOVE IT TRAPPER

[loveamarine214]

I am shocked that he wasn't shot on site upon touching down on American soil, the little chicken shit. Purple heart, he deserves to have his heart ripped out of his chest and stomped on until it is mush and then his body strung up in a very public place to serve as a reminder for anyone else who decides to renig on the oath they took. His day will come when he stands before all of our fallen heroes. I personally would not want to be in his shoes when this happens.

Death before Dishonor

Tammy
Semper Fi

[Trapper]

Soooo, Tammy, how do you feel about that?

[BeirutBill]

lets give him to the gold star parents, let them decide what to do with the human excrement!

[nightwolf]

I am shocked that he wasn't shot on site upon touching down on American soil, the little chicken shit. Purple heart, he deserves to have his heart ripped out of his chest and stomped on until it is mush and then his body strung up in a very public place to serve as a reminder for anyone else who decides to renig on the oath they took. His day will come when he stands before all of our fallen heroes. I personally would not want to be in his shoes when this happens.

Death before Dishonor

Tammy
Semper Fi


Amen to that!

[Joe_Evans]

lets give him to the gold star parents, let them decide what to do with the human excrement!


who are they???

[BeirutBill]

Parents of the dead Marines,Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors.

[Trapper]

Now we all know. I was not familiar with that, either.

[BeirutBill]

on the same note
Blue Star mothers have "children" in country (war zone)

[Trapper]

That goes with the stars on the Service flags?

[BeirutBill]

it is a tradition brought back from WWII

[Trapper]

Is it tied with teh service flags? What do the stars on the Service flags rep?

[DearMilSpouse]

I have had a blue star flag up since the President declared it was ok to bring them back out (there has to be a presidential order before anyone is allowed to display them). It's no longer just for mother's even though that is how it started. You may display one now if you are an immediate family member of someone serving (mom, dad, sister, brother, wife, husband, child). If you do not have an immediate family member serving you are not allowed to display it. You can have up to 5 stars on one flag (each star represents someone in your immediate family that is serving). Should that person get KIA, a gold star is placed over the blue star allowing for a blue outline of the blue star underneath which shall represent that you have lost that person by an act of war.

The blue star flag is also sometimes referred to as the service flag not to be confused with the actual service flags of each branch.

[Trapper]

So, without actually knowing it, I was correct. Sweet.