SGT KEVIN BENDERMAN APPEAL ? ARMY VETERAN AND CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR TO WAR
Monica Benderman
April 18, 2006
"I have learned from firsthand experience that war is the destroyer of everything that is good in the world; it turns our young into soulless killers, and we tell them that they are heroes when they master the "art" of killing."
These are the words of Sgt. Kevin Benderman after having served a tour of duty in Iraq. After his application for conscientious objector status was essentially refused, he was sentenced to 15 months of confinement, and is now imprisoned in the stockade at Ft. Lewis. Additional penalties include loss of all pay and allotments, loss of rank, and dishonorable discharge.
"For making a PUBLIC APPLICATION OF CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION, Sgt. Kevin Benderman was charged with Desertion and Missing Movement. His first court martial was thrown out when the judge ruled that an investigating officer had shown bias in stating her belief of Kevin's guilt before she had even conducted an investigation. A new hearing was ordered, the Army piled it on, and added trumped up Grand Larceny charges to the new orders, and dared Kevin to continue with his actions. Kevin did. His beliefs are firmly held. The Army manipulated evidence, lost witnesses, and gave false and contradictory testimony. In the end, the military judge ruled that Kevin was guilty of Missing Movement, basically that he did not get on a plane, and sentenced him to 15 months confinement, loss of pay and dishonorable discharge. All of this because the US Military was threatened by the public expression of free thought and humanity displayed by one Army Sergeant," from http://www.bendermantimeline.com.
Kevin has now served 8 months of his sentence. During his time in prison, Kevin continues to speak on behalf of active duty soldiers? and veterans? rights. Please visit his web page, ?Letters from Ft. Lewis? at www.BendermanDefense.org. Once Kevin is released from prison, he will use his firsthand experiences to bring greater attention to the needs of soldiers and veterans and address the work necessary to bring about the changes in the military needed to ensure that their sacrifices are met with the respect they deserve.
At the moment, Kevin is working to see that justice is served in his case, that the appeal process begins and that his family is taken care of while the Army has prevented him from being able to meet his responsibilities to them.
We have established a Legal Defense Fund which will provide legal funds for Kevin?s appeal and financial assistance for his family. If you would consider making a contribution to Kevin?s legal fund you may do so by sending a check to:
Benderman Defense Trust
PO Box 2322
Hinesville, GA 31310
Or ? you may make a donation online by visiting www.BendermanDefense.org.
To everyone who has supported us in the past year, we offer our sincere thank you. It has not been easy. There are frustrations and there is anger. But more than that, there is an amazing sense of awe at being part of an effort to create a greater awareness for what we, as human beings, must do to bring us closer to understanding peace.
We look forward to continuing our part in this effort on behalf of veterans who have served this country honorably as Warriors and as Conscientious Objectors to War.
Thank you for your support.
Monica Benderman
Wife of Sgt. Kevin Benderman
Prisoner of Conscience ? Ft. Lewis, Washington
These are the words of Sgt. Kevin Benderman after having served a tour of duty in Iraq. After his application for conscientious objector status was essentially refused, he was sentenced to 15 months of confinement, and is now imprisoned in the stockade at Ft. Lewis. Additional penalties include loss of all pay and allotments, loss of rank, and dishonorable discharge.
"For making a PUBLIC APPLICATION OF CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION, Sgt. Kevin Benderman was charged with Desertion and Missing Movement. His first court martial was thrown out when the judge ruled that an investigating officer had shown bias in stating her belief of Kevin's guilt before she had even conducted an investigation. A new hearing was ordered, the Army piled it on, and added trumped up Grand Larceny charges to the new orders, and dared Kevin to continue with his actions. Kevin did. His beliefs are firmly held. The Army manipulated evidence, lost witnesses, and gave false and contradictory testimony. In the end, the military judge ruled that Kevin was guilty of Missing Movement, basically that he did not get on a plane, and sentenced him to 15 months confinement, loss of pay and dishonorable discharge. All of this because the US Military was threatened by the public expression of free thought and humanity displayed by one Army Sergeant," from http://www.bendermantimeline.com.
Kevin has now served 8 months of his sentence. During his time in prison, Kevin continues to speak on behalf of active duty soldiers? and veterans? rights. Please visit his web page, ?Letters from Ft. Lewis? at www.BendermanDefense.org. Once Kevin is released from prison, he will use his firsthand experiences to bring greater attention to the needs of soldiers and veterans and address the work necessary to bring about the changes in the military needed to ensure that their sacrifices are met with the respect they deserve.
At the moment, Kevin is working to see that justice is served in his case, that the appeal process begins and that his family is taken care of while the Army has prevented him from being able to meet his responsibilities to them.
We have established a Legal Defense Fund which will provide legal funds for Kevin?s appeal and financial assistance for his family. If you would consider making a contribution to Kevin?s legal fund you may do so by sending a check to:
Benderman Defense Trust
PO Box 2322
Hinesville, GA 31310
Or ? you may make a donation online by visiting www.BendermanDefense.org.
To everyone who has supported us in the past year, we offer our sincere thank you. It has not been easy. There are frustrations and there is anger. But more than that, there is an amazing sense of awe at being part of an effort to create a greater awareness for what we, as human beings, must do to bring us closer to understanding peace.
We look forward to continuing our part in this effort on behalf of veterans who have served this country honorably as Warriors and as Conscientious Objectors to War.
Thank you for your support.
Monica Benderman
Wife of Sgt. Kevin Benderman
Prisoner of Conscience ? Ft. Lewis, Washington
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