Unit gets ready for Iraq -- without Watada

[spindrifter]

By MIKE BARBER
P-I REPORTER


In the eyes of the military, 1st Lt. Ehren Watada could face court martial for not living up to his oath to defend his country by refusing Thursday to be deployed from Fort Lewis to Iraq.

In the eyes of his parents and war opponents, however, Watada is living up to his promise to refuse to fight in what he considers an illegal and immoral war.

He made good on his promise before dawn Thursday when his unit of the 4,000-member Stryker Brigade mustered for McChord Air Force Base to fly to Iraq.

"He was ordered to mobilize this morning and deploy and he refused," one of Watada's lawyers, Legrand Jones, said. Army officials said Watada is confined to the post and has to remain at his unit's area.

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http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/275056_watada23.html

[RufusEarl]

1. This act took courage!

[spindrifter]

2. Yes. It's huge.

I am glad he is getting some good support. I cannot imagine being surrounded by all the Stryker unit people when you have a "different opinion."