Lt. Ehren K. Watada: American Hero
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
U.S. Army First Lieutenant Ehren K. Watada earlier this month became the first commissioned officer in the nation to refuse deployment to Iraq. “Lt. Watada believes that the war and occupation in Iraq are illegal, and thus participation in the war is also illegal. At this time he has been restricted to base and has been ordered to have no communication with non-military personnel,” states the website Thank You Lt. Ehren Watada.
The war in Iraq has also been opposed by the Vatican and the World Council of Churches. Most Christian churches in the United States and their ecumenical bodies – such as the National Council of Churches USA – have also opposed this conflict.
We know that Iraq did not as the president claimed have either a link to 9/11 or weapons of mass destruction.
Please keep Lt. Watada and his family in your prayers. Over 2,500 Americans have now died in a failed military adventure which has contributed to the deaths of tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians. Lt. Watada is exhibiting great bravery in challenging the immoral policies of our government.