Author
The World Productions
JOHN CANAL INTERVIEWS U.S. SERGEANT BENDERMAN, WHO HAS REFUSED APPLIED FOR CONTIENTIOUS OBJECTOR STATUS AND RISKED COURT MARTIAL BY REFUSING TO RETURN TO IRAQ .
On January 7, 2005, 40 year old Sergeant Kevin Benderman refused an order from the his Command Sergeant Major to re-deploy to Iraq and then requested a court-martial.
Benderman is a combat veteran with the 2-7 Infantry Battalion at Ft. Stewart, Georgia. He served in Iraq in 2003. During his tour, his outfit was ordered to open fire on children who were throwing rocks at unit personnel. Having personally witnessed this and other illegal acts by military personnel, Benderman has said publicly that under no circumstances will he participate further in the war in Iraq, a war Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan has labeled "illegal". He has applied for Conscientious Objector status.
The story was brought to light by Robert S. Finnegan, Managing Editor of South East Asia News.
John Canal has been studying the Bush administration activities since before 9/11. He reached Sargeant Benderman and his wife Monica in their home in Ft. Stewart, Georgia on January 14.