Gay reservist in Lejeune brig is focus of anti-war protest

[thedrifter]

Gay reservist in Lejeune brig is focus of anti-war protest
November 13,2003
ERIC STEINKOPFF
DAILY NEWS STAFF

A Marine reservist in the Camp Lejeune brig who claims to be a gay conscientious objector to war is the rallying point for an anti-war protest scheduled in Jacksonville on Saturday.

Anti-war protesters from New York and other areas are supporting the cause of Lance Cpl. Stephen Eagle Funk, 21. The embarkation specialist with Beach Terminal Operations Company Alpha, 4th Landing Support Battalion in San Jose, Calif. did not show up when his unit was mobilized earlier this year for the war with Iraq. He later turned himself in at his San Jose, Calif., unit, where he was charged with desertion and unauthorized absence.

Funk left college just prior to the call-up, said his mother, Gloria Pacis. She said he turned himself in as a conscientious objector.

Marine Forces Reserve public affairs officer Capt. Jeff Pool said Funk could have received a year in prison following a special court-martial held in August in New Orleans. He was sentenced to six months confinement in prison, a bad conduct discharge, reduction to the rank of private and forfeiture of two-thirds of his pay for six months. Pool said Funk was found not guilty of a charge of desertion with the intent to shirk important duty, a charge normally levied when a service member has been missing for 30 days or more.

"Twenty-seven other Marines declared conscientious objector status during the war," Pool said. "Sixteen were granted, five were denied and the rest were pending."

He was taken to the Lejeune brig where he remained Wednesday, base officials said. He began serving time in September.

"He was handed a heavy sentence considering the crime," Pacis said. "Six months confinement for 47 days (absent without official leave) is out of step with society."

Pacis said she's fighting for son's release and planned to join at least one busload of people at the Lejeune gate on Saturday. Dustin Langley, a spokesman for the Committee to Support Stephen Funk, said Saturday's rally will be held at 10 a.m. on North Marine Boulevard near Wal-Mart.

"Steve's in prison and it represents more than a family struggle - it optimized what we're feeling - helpless and isolated," she said.

She said her son had been raised in a caring family without formal religious education. She did not know the origin of her son's recent objections to war. She said he was confused when he joined the reserves.

"It was a time in his life when he was disillusioned about college and he was battling with his own sexuality," Pacis said. "He was 20 years old and felt restless - without structure."

Pacis said shortly after Christmas, Funk agreed to speak with a family friend who was a lawyer in an attempt to get out of his military obligations, but the reserve call-up came too soon.

"We're trying to make the public aware that the military tries to get away with things because we're either too busy or too tired to protest," Pacis said. "The government and the military assume that people aren't going to rise up. We are far from giving up and that's why we're taking the time to do this."

Organizers for the rally also criticized the way the United States is handling the situation in Iraq and how it treats the environment.

Pacis acknowledged that their peace rally in a military town might not be viewed favorably.

"We're looking for a place out of doors and as close to the base as possible," Pacis said. "If you're on public property, I don't see why people can't congregate."


Contact Eric Steinkopff at esteinkopff@jdnews.com or 353-1171, Ext. 236.


http://www.jdnews.com/SiteProcessor....2&Section=News


Sempers,

Roger

[MillRatUSMC]

Oh! what a baby...
"It was a time in his life when he was disillusioned about college and he was battling with his own sexuality," Pacis said. "He was 20 years old and felt restless - without structure."
It's time mom cuts the apron strings.
Many have given their all, while this buthole was running away.
6 months instead of death is a small price to pay.
IMHO

Semper Fidelis
Ricardo

[Super Dave]

I'm SICK and tired of the PUS*IES that sign up for the bennies then when it comes time to do their job, they say wait..hold it..i don't want to do that! If you sign up, you go..end of F'ing story! if you don't want the possibility of serving don't enlist!!

[yellowwing]

"Six months confinement for 47 days (absent without official leave) is out of step with society." - Not for our Marines Corps! I think they went soft by letting him keep a third of his pay.

[mrbsox]

I think they went soft by letting him keep a third of his pay.

What about just getting a BCD ?

DIS-Honorable should have been the decision. He didn't act BAD, he showed no honor.

And ditto to everybody else.

Terry

[CplCrotty]

This fruit loop raised his right hand and swore an oath to his country, and then subsequently broke it. He has no honor. A dishonorable discharge would have been more appropriate.

[firstsgtmike]

Articles like this, concerning protests and rallys, remind me of a time when I was a kid. There was a fire in the neighborhood. It consumed several buildings. It is not an exaggeration to say that the spectators numbered in the thousands.

It did not make an impression on me at the time, but when I look back I remember seeing a great quantity of street vendors that were attracted by the opportunity offered by the crowd.

They were selling balloons, ice cream, Dodger baseball pennants, cotton candy, hot dogs, knishes, pretsels, apples, and kosher pickles. The neighborhood photograper and his pony was selling children's photos, and there was even an organ grinder with his monkey.

That was a "spur of the moment" opportunity, too good to miss out on.

Times change. Communications being what they are, it's easier to plan ahead, and to get the word out.

Phones, faxes, and e-mails get put to work. "We're having a protest rally next Saturday, we've notified the press and TV, do you want to join in?

And so: Anti-war, anti-military, gay rights, Committies to Support ....., Committees Against ......., Citizens for ....., Citizens Against ....., Ban The Bomb, Save the Whales, etc. will comprise the crowds.

Sometimes I wonder if a "Neighborhood Vendor's Association", to create an opportunity for increased sales, were the original organizers of the "event".

"Busines has been slow this month, let's get a protest rally going, it's easier than starting a fire."

[MarineGrunt1775]

Hey Super Dave. I agree with you. When I was in the first Gulf War I ran into a reservist from my hometown. He was *****in too that he had to leave piror to he had to take finals and would have to taken them after he returned. Hell you know what you're getting into when you sign up. I think even 48hrs ran a segment on reservist and the national guard being called up. I remember they showed a reserve WM whinning that she had to leave her b/f. Hell she whined too when her 1st SGT *****ed her out when she couldn't BZO her M-16. Just made u shake your head.
Hey that reservist from my hometown got over it. We kept hooch juice around. After that ,his problems went away....

[kentmitchell]

Re Mama's comment on the sentence being "out of step with society"

Yeah. And we're extremists, too.

[Devildogg4ever]

I agree with everyone here! Most like this are pu**ies and mama's boys! The man should receive no pay and a dishonorable discharge! He signed a contract just like the rest, yet wants better treatment. They should have really burned him and anyone else that wants to play that game!!!

[FREDDY]

I myself think he should be shot ! ! period

[Doc Crow]

All I want to know is how you join the Corps and be a C.O.

[jerry wozny]

He ran in the face a war he should be shot, he deserted his unit when the had to face it, he is a chicken sh*t coward that needs to be treated as one. A BCD is to good for him, he should have be given a Dis Honorable, he is a coward and I hope he gets what he deserves from the prisoners.

[CPL-Mac]

Ready......Aim......FIRE!!!!!!!!

[marinemom]

I have two words for that mother - and they are not Merry Christmas