Iraq vet plans to return his medals in protest

Iraq vet plans to return his medals in protest
By Ryan J. Foley - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Sep 26, 2007 6:27:56 EDT

MADISON, Wis. — An Iraq war veteran said Tuesday he is returning his military medals in what anti-war groups are calling a rare and powerful protest.

Josh Gaines, 27, plans to mail the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and National Defense Service Medal to former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. He said he will do so during a protest scheduled for Wednesday in Madison.

“I’m going to give those back because I truly feel that I did not defend my nation and I did not help with the Global War on Terrorism,” said Gaines, who lives in Madison. “If anything, this conflict has bred more terrorism in the Middle East.”

Gaines served a yearlong tour in Iraq between 2004 and 2005 with the U.S. Army Reserve. He spent his time guarding two military bases and issuing ammunition to soldiers but never fired a weapon, he said.

The experience convinced him the war was a mistake and that a steady withdrawal of troops was the right course of action, Gaines said.

~snip~

Jonathan Dedering, a Students for a Democratic Society activist who is helping organize Wednesday’s protest, said it’s extremely rare for Iraq veterans to return their medals. The tactic was a more common form of protest among Vietnam veterans.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/09/ap_givebackmedals_070925/

B*sh won't for his war profit buds. Congress won't, for the same reason? (or maybe politics). When the soldiers refuse to fight, refuse to go and refuse to sign on, it will be over. Until Blackwater can build up it's force.

Please be sure to have your name tags firmly affixed to the medals and to include three copies of the supporting citations, since you may later be inclined to run for office and it is important the medals in question include a paper trail so that you can be attacked ONLY on your beliefs and not on the provenance of your protest...this of course will apply only if you are a Democrat...

:applause: :applause: :applause: