------------------------- Via Workers World News Service Reprinted from the Dec. 5, 2002 issue of Workers World newspaper -------------------------
SOLDIER REFUSES IRAQ DUTY, GETS DISCHARGE By John Catalinotto There are times when a vast movement of millions of people that can change history begins with the actions of a few individuals or even of only one person. Those trying to stop the murderous war that the Bush administration is poised to launch on Iraq can hope that Pvt. Wilfredo Torres is one of the individuals whose action opens the flood gates. Pvt. Torres has decided to refuse service in the Gulf. Tod Ensign's Citizen Soldier group supported and defended his stand. Pvt. Torres took part in a meeting of veterans in New York the day before Veterans Day, Nov. 10. He spoke at a news conference in Washington the next day. There he explained that he had joined the Army to "serve my country and because I was promised college aid and skill training as a cook." After describing various problems he had with his drill instructors, he said he had left the Army a year before. He then announced that out of disagreement with U.S. foreign policy, he would refuse to be sent to the Gulf. He also noted that "from what I've been hearing lately, our government has done a poor job of caring for Gulf and Vietnam vets who are sick because they served." WW asked Tod Ensign, the director of Citizen Soldier, what happened to Pvt. Torres. It seems he returned to the military. He was at Ft. Knox with about 60 other GIs who were long-term AWOLs. While Pvt. Torres was there, the base received a call from Rolling Stone newspaper asking to interview the GI. The base command apparently thought it would be best to remove the problem quickly, and the next morning issued Pvt. Torres an "other than honorable" discharge. For people in the anti-war movement, Pvt. Torres has taken a more than honorable step, a courageous step. His history is common to many now in the armed forces, and if this latest chapter is spread far and wide throughout the U.S. military before the invasion of Iraq begins, his response may become a common one. n - END - (Copyright Workers World Service: Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies of this document, but changing it is not allowed. For more information contact Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011; via e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe [EMAIL PROTECTED] Support the voice of resistance http://www.workers.org/orders/donate.php) ------------------ This message is sent to you by Workers World News Service. To subscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send administrative queries to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
