In His Own Words:
Mark Wilkerson's Conscientious Objection to the War In Iraq
Mark Wilkerson—a 22 year old Colorado Springs native from a conservative, Christian family with a military history—rallied for the presidency of George Bush in the 2000 election. Disturbed by military raids on the homes of Iraqi families, he went AWOL from the military for a year and a half, and turned himself in at Fort Hood, Texas, on September 1, 2006 to face the consequences.
As of September 17th, there have been 2,680 U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq, on top of the more than 19,000 wounded there. I honor and respect every soldier who has made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
I read a USA Today article that said that there are more than 8,000 soldiers who have gone AWOL during the Iraq War. I think it would be naive to assume that all 8,000 went AWOL in direct protest to the Iraq War, but I'm sure many of them did. This message is for those of you who did: you are not alone. Don't let anyone judge you for what you believe in. There comes a time when a person must make the right moral decision, regardless of how unpopular that decision may be to others.
My experience in the Army began in June 2002, shortly after my high school graduation from Widefield High School. I enlisted prior to September 11 but found a new resolve to join after that tragic day. I thought I would be able to avenge the people that had been killed. After basic training, I ended up in Fort Hood; in March 2003 I was deployed to Iraq with the 720th Military Police Battalion.
I was nervous and scared but also supportive of my president's decision; I was optimistic about the good things that we could do there for the people of Iraq. I quickly learned that wasn't going to happen. It bothered me to see there was no paperwork on some of the people we were rounding up and throwing into prison. I had many experiences in Iraq that made me question my mission, and also made me change the way I view spirituality, relationships, our government, and my life in general. It was a complete life turn-around, which allowed me to come to the conclusion that military service was no longer the correct path for me.
This revelation led me to apply as a Conscientious Objector (C.O.) immediately upon return from Iraq in March 2004. The military states that a conscientious objector is a person who objects to participation in all forms of war, and whose belief is based on a religious, moral or ethical belief system. I felt I met those requirements; the military disagreed. I told myself I would never return to Iraq, but I would make sure I was discharged in the right and legal way. I told myself I would never go AWOL.
In July, while my C.O. paper was still being processed, my unit was told it was returning to Iraq in January 2005. My C.O. claim was denied in November, so I applied for a rebuttal, and was told it wouldn't be considered until my return from Iraq more than a year away. So I made the difficult decision to go AWOL for political, spiritual, and personal reasons. I am not willing to kill, or be killed, or do anything else I consider morally wrong, for reasons I don't believe in.
I turned myself in to face the consequences of my actions.
While I would not consider myself a very religious man, I do believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ. I would like to share two passages from the Bible. The first—from Psalms Chapter 33, Verse 5: "Seek peace, and pursue it." The second from Matthew Chapter 5, Verse 9—"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God." I believe that, through my actions, I am doing my best to live by those values.
I honor the soldiers who have been killed in Iraq and their families. May their loss remind each and every one of us that life is short, life is fragile, and life must be respected.
There are many other soldiers who should not be forgotten—the large number who return from war with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Many soldiers affected with this disorder don't come forward to make a claim; again, I say to them, you are not alone. If you have a family member in the military suffering from PTSD, urge them to come forward and tell someone who can help.
And I say this to every member of our Congress, even our president: Don't leave any soldiers behind. Give them the help and support they need, because you sent them there. This is a difficult and scary time for our country, but hopefully in the end, peace will rule this great land. John F. Kennedy once said that war will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today.
I look forward to that day.
UPDATE: Mark was sentenced to seven months in the brig where he is being treated for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); updates will be posted here. He anticipates release on August 18, 2007. You may send him letters of support
at:
Mark and Sarah Wilkerson
PO Box 25037
Colorado Springs, CO 80936