U.S. War Heroes of the Iraq War

Pablo Paredes, Navy, Petty Officer Third Class

"I know other people are feeling the same way I am, and I'm hoping more people will stand up," he said. "They can't throw us all in jail."

Update: Pablo Sentenced to 3 months.  See more...

Pablo's Statement To the Court

See also a Statement of Solidarity with Latino Military Resisters. 

December 6th, 2004

Navy Petty Officer in San Diego Refuses War Duty; He won't board ship transporting troops

by Chet Barfield / Union-Tribune

Acknowledging that he could face a court martial and possible imprisonment, a Navy petty officer yesterday said he will refuse to board his transport ship when it departs for the Persian Gulf this morning because he wants to make a public stand against the Iraq war.

"I'm going to throw my ID in the water and say that I'm no longer part of the military," said Petty Officer Third Class Pablo Paredes, 23. "I want to make a statement, and I want it to be heard."

Paredes, a weapons-control technician from the Bronx, N.Y., said he joined the Navy in 2000 and has 20 months left on his six-year enlistment. He said he was stationed previously in Japan and, until now, did not feel he had a direct role in the war, which he has opposed since its inception.

Then, about two weeks ago, he was involuntarily transferred to the amphibious transport Bonhomme Richard, which ferries Marines to Iraq.

"I don't want to be a part of a ship that's taking 3,000 Marines over there, knowing a hundred or more of them won't come back," he said. "I can't sleep at night knowing that's what I do for a living."

Paredes said he wasn't sure he would be allowed onto his ship's pier at the 32nd Street Naval Station this morning because he made his feelings and intentions known in local TV interviews Saturday night. He said he unplugged his phone yesterday at his Imperial Beach apartment in case officials from the base tried to call him.

A base spokesman did not return a message seeking comment.

Paredes said his stance has nothing to do with fear for his personal safety.

"It's not about my own life," he said. "I'm just totally against it."

He said he was young and naive when he joined the Navy and "never imagined, in a million years, we would go to war with somebody who had done nothing to us."

Paredes said he discussed his plans with his wife of two years in New York, "and she supports my decision 1,000 percent," even though he might get a dishonorable discharge and lose pay and benefits.

He said he thought of smoking marijuana or breaking his leg with a heavy metal rod to try to get a discharge but decided instead to go public with his protest. He said he hopes doing so might inspire other sailors, soldiers and Marines to refuse to take part in the war.

"I know other people are feeling the same way I am, and I'm hoping more people will stand up," he said. "They can't throw us all in jail."

More on Pablo Paredes: San Diego Union tribune on December 7, story

Update: 

Pablo continues to tour and speak out against the war.  See Courage to Resist

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Joel Klimkewicz, Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps

Joel Klimkewicz is a religious resister who is paying a heavy price for his refusal to pick up a gun.  It started during Joel's becoming a Seventh Day Adventist during his military service.  Although the faith does not require its adherents to renounce militarism, it supports those who refuse to take up arms, according to their conscience.   And for Joel Klimkewicz, he choose not to use a weapon.  He applied for Conscientious Objector status but that was denied, despite the clear sincerity of his beliefs as can be attested to by his Pastor, Reverend Poole.  He was given a general court-martial in December 2004, sentenced to seven months in the brig, and was reduced in rank to Private.  He will be given a dishonorable discharge upon his completion of his sentence, and is forfeited all pay and benefits. 

It should be noted that Joel is not refusing duty in Iraq or elsewhere, but he does refuse to take up arms.  He has stated his willingness to clear land mines, for example. 

Joel is supported by his church and his family.  His wife, Tomomi Klimkewicz (seen standing with her husband in photo above), says "He has done nothing wrong. He is a good man," she said as she held Carmen, their 2 year-old daughter, in her lap. "He is a good father."  Joel's church will help pay the families living expenses until his release. 

Tom Joad wishes the family well. 

Stories on Joel Klimkewicz from the The Daily News, Jacksonville, NC here & here,

Update:

Joel David Klimkewicz, who received a "bad conduct" discharge from the United States Marine Corps because he obeyed his conscience and refused to pick up a weapon, won a victory that could let him return to the armed forces in the future. In a 3-2 vote, the U.S. Naval Clemency and Parole Board decided to upgrade Klimkewicz's release from the service to a "general discharge."

More...

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