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He has their back - Iraq Veteran Begins Weeklong Tower Guard Vigil in Bellingham, Washington

[ED Note: Also see Tower Guard Vigil, Washington Outsiders, and Dying to Preserve the Lies. NM]

Returning Iraq veteran, Evan Knappenberger, who well knows tower guard duty in Iraq, launches his  'tower guard' duty in Bellingham, Washington this week.  He wants to draw attention to the US military 'STOP-LOSS' and INACTIVE RESERVE policies which he submits are being used as a substitute for conscription in a political war. See press release and his new website www.TowerGuard.org

This military family agrees with him - we know the 'back door draft' all too well with two of our own caught up in it After they were already deployed in Iraq and had not much other choices.  My son-in-law going back for second 'stop lossed' 15 month deployment to Iraq this year - 2007, hints that it may be longer - 18 months or longer. Pay attention to the rumors that there may be additional extensions beyond the already announced 15 month deployments applied to all the troops.

Evan, respect and my hat is off to you in your 'tower guard' vigil up there in Bellingham.  (first blogged at Washington Outsiders ) See Evan's press release below the fold

 

Iraq Veteran Begins Weeklong Tower Guard Vigil

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2007

CONTACT:
Iraq Veteran Evan Knappenberger: (434) 249-5956
www.TowerGuard.org

Marie Marchand, Executive Director
Whatcom Peace & Justice Center
(360) 734-0217 (office); (360) 920-4817 (cell)
www.WhatcomPJC.org; WhatcomPJC@fidalgo.net

WHERE: Federal Building 104 E. Magnolia Street, Bellingham, WA
WHEN: 24-hrs. a day, June 1-7

Standing Tower Guard on a 6' scaffold at the Federal Building in downtown Bellingham, Iraq Veteran Evan Knappenberger, 1st BDE, 4th Infantry Division, started a weeklong vigil on June 1st to draw attention to the US military STOP-LOSS and INACTIVE RESERVE policies, which he submits are being used as a substitute for conscription in a political war.

I spent a year in Iraq. I pulled 97 nights on tower guard, explained Knappenberger. Many of the friends I served with have completed their contractual obligations to Active Duty. Now, they're being sent back to Iraq for their third or fourth tours. Some soldiers are getting called up after living years of civilian life. Stop-loss is an unethical policy.

The Whatcom Peace & Justice Center, a non-profit organization in Bellingham, is supporting Knappenberger's week-long action. "This is a powerful, highly-visible action," said Executive Director Marie Marchand. "It's a nonviolent, creative way of educating the public about this widespread exploitation and abuse of our soldiers. Evan has seen this injustice perpetrated against his friends and comrades. We will do everything we can to help him get his message out."

Community members have shown an outpouring of support for Knappenberger, including help with night security, media outreach, meals, and solidarity. A new website has been set up: www.TowerGuard.org.

"People come out of the woodwork to support courageous leadership like this," stated Marchand. "This is huge; and the news is spreading across the nation like wild fire."

Western WA University students are also hyped-up by this action. Student group, Western Against War, has made a statement of support for Knappenberger. "For those who take notice, this sobering demonstration will bring the hardships our solders have been forced to endure a little closer to home," stated Michael Biesheuvel, WAW president. "Western Against War wholeheartedly supports Evan."

Knappenberger invites the public to talk with him while he is on Tower Guard, and to learn more about the unethical stop-loss policy.

###

Marie Marchand, Executive Director
Whatcom Peace & Justice Center
100 E. Maple Street/PO Box 2444
Bellingham, WA 98227
(360) 734-0217
www.whatcompjc.org

< One contributor dominating initiative process is nothing new | Automatic Signature Verification: Automated Disenfranchisement? [Update] >
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One of the organizers just sent me this photo. I hope Bellingham people post some comments on what's going on there.  

by noemie maxwell on Fri Jun 01, 2007 at 03:00:35 PM PST

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Maybe Congressman Larsen can stop in to thank Knappenberger for showing the courage of his convictions while he is visiting the district over the Memorial Day recess.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

by The Left Shue on Fri Jun 01, 2007 at 03:18:27 PM PST

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--that a volunteer army works just fine for the purpose of self-defense, but if you are going to use it for imperial domination there are only two options, a)conscription or b)abusing the volunteers this way.

by eridani on Sat Jun 02, 2007 at 09:33:47 AM PST

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For up to the minute video spots of Evan Knappenberger's 'tower guard' vigil are being posted at Washington Outsiders.

I'm also adding some of the videos in sequence all at one post on Evan at website (blog) for Military Families Speak Out - Washington state chapter, and my own blog,  Dying to Preserve the Lies.

Encouraging many to spread the word and follow the progress this week on Evan's vigil in Bellingham.  Also, I have to give a shout out of thanks and respect to the good people in Bellingham, and Whatcom Peace and Justice.  

(Just as a reminder, Bellingham is the first and to my knowledge only city in Washington to have passed a Bring The Troops Home Resolution.)  

"The bar for success (in Iraqi)is so low that it is almost buried in the sand." Barack Obama, Sept 12, 2007

by Lietta Ruger on Sat Jun 02, 2007 at 11:28:48 AM PST

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