thedrifter
06-04-07, 11:15 AM
Reservist faces hearing today over protest, profanity
By Heather Hollingsworth - The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Jun 4, 2007 10:53:24 EDT
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Marine who may lose his honorable discharge for wearing a uniform during a protest of the war in Iraq got support Monday from anti-war protesters who gathered outside the site of a military hearing into his case.
Marine Cpl. Adam Kokesh, a member of the Iraq Veterans Against the War, was appearing before an administrative separation board at the Marine Corps Mobilization Command.
Outside, several people stood in front of a bus painted with anti-war slogans, such as “Bring Them Home Now,” “Not One More!” and “What Noble Cause?”
Kokesh, 25, took part in an anti-war protest in Washington, D.C., in March. When he was identified in a newspaper’s photo caption, a superior officer sent him a letter saying he might have violated a rule prohibiting troops from wearing uniforms without authorization.
Kokesh responded with a letter than contained an obscenity.
Kokesh is a member of the Individual Ready Reserve, which consists mainly of those who have left active duty but still have time remaining on their eight-year military obligations.
Kokesh said Sunday during a demonstration in Kansas City that losing his honorable discharge won’t stop him from protesting the war, telling a crowd of about 100 that freedom of speech must be protected.
“If it is not safe for a combat veteran to come home and speak his mind, then it is not safe for anyone,” he said.
Kokesh argues that he was not representing the military at the protest in Washington, and he made that clear by removing his name tag and other military insignia from his uniform.
His attorney, Mike Lebowitz, said Kokesh’s IRR status ends June 18. He said at least three other veterans have been investigated because of their involvement at demonstrations.
Kokesh was a reservist in an artillery unit, assigned to the November Battery, 5th Battalion, 14th Regiment of the 4th Division based out of Pico Rivera, Calif., near Los Angeles. He has said he became disillusioned with the war during his first tour, and now believes there is no way for the country to achieve the rule of law with a foreign military imposing martial law.
Lebowitz said Kokesh technically is a civilian unless recalled to active duty and had the right to be disrespectful in his response to the officer. He said the military usually seeks to change a veteran’s discharge status only if a crime has been committed.
If his discharge status is changed, Kokesh said he could lose some health benefits and be forced to repay about $10,800 he received to obtain his undergraduate degree on the GI Bill.
Ellie
By Heather Hollingsworth - The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Jun 4, 2007 10:53:24 EDT
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Marine who may lose his honorable discharge for wearing a uniform during a protest of the war in Iraq got support Monday from anti-war protesters who gathered outside the site of a military hearing into his case.
Marine Cpl. Adam Kokesh, a member of the Iraq Veterans Against the War, was appearing before an administrative separation board at the Marine Corps Mobilization Command.
Outside, several people stood in front of a bus painted with anti-war slogans, such as “Bring Them Home Now,” “Not One More!” and “What Noble Cause?”
Kokesh, 25, took part in an anti-war protest in Washington, D.C., in March. When he was identified in a newspaper’s photo caption, a superior officer sent him a letter saying he might have violated a rule prohibiting troops from wearing uniforms without authorization.
Kokesh responded with a letter than contained an obscenity.
Kokesh is a member of the Individual Ready Reserve, which consists mainly of those who have left active duty but still have time remaining on their eight-year military obligations.
Kokesh said Sunday during a demonstration in Kansas City that losing his honorable discharge won’t stop him from protesting the war, telling a crowd of about 100 that freedom of speech must be protected.
“If it is not safe for a combat veteran to come home and speak his mind, then it is not safe for anyone,” he said.
Kokesh argues that he was not representing the military at the protest in Washington, and he made that clear by removing his name tag and other military insignia from his uniform.
His attorney, Mike Lebowitz, said Kokesh’s IRR status ends June 18. He said at least three other veterans have been investigated because of their involvement at demonstrations.
Kokesh was a reservist in an artillery unit, assigned to the November Battery, 5th Battalion, 14th Regiment of the 4th Division based out of Pico Rivera, Calif., near Los Angeles. He has said he became disillusioned with the war during his first tour, and now believes there is no way for the country to achieve the rule of law with a foreign military imposing martial law.
Lebowitz said Kokesh technically is a civilian unless recalled to active duty and had the right to be disrespectful in his response to the officer. He said the military usually seeks to change a veteran’s discharge status only if a crime has been committed.
If his discharge status is changed, Kokesh said he could lose some health benefits and be forced to repay about $10,800 he received to obtain his undergraduate degree on the GI Bill.
Ellie