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Refusing to Fight
"Today, this area has again become a haven for a few American soldiers fleeing the US war in Iraq. "
By Reina Gonzales, 24
October 4th, 2007
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When members of the United States armed forces have been absent without leave for 30 days, and show "no intent to return to the military" the military re-classifies them as "deserters." Instances of desertion from the US Army went up 27 percent from last year. Youth Radio’s Reina Gonzales traveled to Canada to meet two young men seeking refuge from both the US military and the consequences of being classified as deserters. (October 4th on KQED)
Nelson, British Columbia is a small town nestled at the foot of the Selkirk mountain range in Canada. After just a few hours there, I was struck by the town's seclusion and tranquility. It makes sense that this place has long been known as a sanctuary for those seeking peace.
Russian pacifists emigrated to Nelson in the late 1800s, followed by Americans avoiding the draft during Vietnam. Today, this area has again become a haven for a few American soldiers fleeing the US war in Iraq.
Most people in Nelson have welcomed these former soldiers, offering moral and financial support. But even in a peace town like Nelson, there are people who think of deserters as cowards for reneging on their commitment.
The two young deserters I met admitted they were scared to serve in Iraq. But in the end, both claimed their decision to desert the military was more complicated than that. Ryan Johnson felt conflicted about serving in the army from day one. But he saw the military as his ticket to health care and college. What pushed him over the edge was the poor medical treatment he says he received on his base in Fort Irwin, California. He left the military before ever setting foot in Iraq. The other deserter, Kyle Snyder, reached his breaking point after months of perilous duty in Mosul. He told me he went AWOL after witnessing the shooting of an innocent civilian. CNN reported Snyder's version of the events, but Army officials now tell me there’s no record of the shooting incident.
The deserters in Nelson both hope they'll soon be vindicated, given Americans' growing opposition to the war. Even so, it's unlikely they'll ever receive amnesty, since they joined the Army voluntarily. And last year marked the Army's highest rate of prosecution for desertion since the Gulf War.
Back in Nelson, some neighbors continue to support these former soldiers, hooking them up with odd jobs around town and stopping by with home cooked meals. And while the comforts of home are reassuring, they're also a reminder of what Johnson and Snyder have left behind.
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