I V A W's Matthis Chiroux, Iraq war resister....

In a press conference held in the Cannon House Office Building in May, 2008, Matthis read a statement that said, in part:

“As an Army journalist whose job it was to collect and filter service members’ stories, I heard many stomach-churning testimonies of the horrors and crimes taking place in Iraq. For fear of retaliation from the military, I failed to report these crimes, but never again will I allow fear to silence me. “Never again will I fail to stand. … This occupation is unconstitutional and illegal, and I hereby lawfully refuse to participate, as I will surely be a party to war crimes. …”

According to Department of Defense policy, the Army can recall soldiers for up to four years after their active-duty service. If Matthis refuses to report to duty in June, Nathan Banks, spokesman for the Pentagon, said Matthis could be listed as absent without official leave (AWOL) and could possibly face arrest.

His father, Rob Chiroux, said he is worried about his son’s future if he doesn’t return to the Army. He realizes his son could stand to lose everything he has gained in his military career: college funding, veteran health benefits — even his honorable discharge status. Rob Chiroux was quick to add, however, that no matter what his son decides on June 15 — to serve again or to fight reactivation into the Army — he stands firmly behind his son’s decision. “I support my son 100 percent,” Rob Chiroux said. “I would support him if he chose to go back to Iraq, and I’d worry about him every day.”

Following his announcement, Matthis Chiroux said he felt at peace. “I don’t fear any prosecution,” Matthis Chiroux said. “There may be repercussions, and I’m ready to face them.”

Matthis enlisted in the Army days after graduating from high school. During his five-year enlistment, Matthis served as a journalist in the Army, with tours in Germany, Japan, Afghanistan and the Philippines. While serving in Afghanistan and Palawan, Philippines, Matthis experienced hostile environments fighting against Islamic insurgents.

After receiving the Army’s orders to deploy to Iraq, Matthis was depressed, confining himself inside his New York apartment, he said. He reflected on his values and his views of the Iraq War. “There was just no way I could carry a weapon, go to Iraq and not be part of the problem,” Matthis said by telephone Thursday, referring to the Iraq War, which, he said, he has opposed from the start.

Rob Chiroux, a Navy veteran and self-described conservative who voted for George W. Bush twice, said he is having second thoughts about the Iraq War. “He feels strongly that this is wrong, and I feel strongly that this is wrong,” Rob Chiroux said, regarding the Army’s orders to have his son return to active duty.

Taking a stand against issues was something Rob Chiroux and his son often talked about when Matthis was growing up, especially when the topic turned to politics. Rob Chiroux would sometimes tell his son, “If you want to change the system, you’re going to have to take a stand.”
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I met Matthis Chiroux in Minneapolis during the VFP/IVAW convention. He is a thoughtful, intelligent and courageous young man who deserves our support. Matthis has worked tirelessly for the principles we in IVAW stand for: US troops out of Iraq, reparations for the Iraqi people, medical care for returning troops, including mental health care for PTSD, so desperately needed by over 300,000 service members. Please keep Matthis in your hearts and prayers. Mary Ann

Free Robin Long, US Political Prisoner.....

My fellow member of Iraq Veterans Against the War, Robin Long, is in prison…he was treated differently than any other war resister who has been prosecuted for not deploying to Iraq. Many patriotic people stood up for Robin and testified at his trial, they made their case that the Iraq war is illegal under our constitution and that Robin had every right as a conscientious objector to say no to his orders. But the judge in his court martial took the opportunity of his trial to try and send a very harsh message to other soldiers. Robin received a fifteen month prison sentence and a bad conduct discharge.

Disparity? Yes, others were either not prosecuted at all or received six month or less prison time for exactly the same charged offense. Robin has been treated unfairly by the military judicial system. I truly believe Robin is a United States Political Prisoner. I wrote this piece for Robin. I hope everyone will sign the petition, lets send Robin back home to his family…. the sooner the better.


Political Prisoner

It always breaks my heart to hear his name
Robin Long, an example he was made
to frighten conscientious objectors
into keeping quiet and staying in the game.

Robin was always up front about his status
he refused his orders to wage war in Iraq
he told the truth to his superiors
then Robin and his family moved to Canada.

The Canadian government didn’t see the fact
that Robin objected to war itself as relevant
the Canadian people supported Robin
their government in its wisdom threw him out.

So Robin was arrested at the Peace Arch gate
tried and then convicted by an Army court
in Colorado they threw the book at him
fifteen months in prison for opposition to hate.

US political prisoner Robin Long is my hero
this solitary man, in prison for saying no
to a war of greed for oil and souls
we can all make this right, help Robin go home.

“Free Robin Long, US Political Prisoner”
Please sign the petition: “Free Robin Long”

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/free-robin-long

Thanks for your support of IVAW member Robin Long.

Peace, Mary Ann

Published in “Members Speak” at www.ivaw.org 11/10/08
Published on http://www.gotpoetry.com/ 11/12/08

OK, We have a President Elect......

Breathe, assemble thoughts, begin writing again....... I had no idea of the emotions and the energy draining fear that would consume me on election night. Thank God for Lisa, Kirsten and the others who sustained me and kept me somewhat focused throughout the evening. Avoided a meltdown, I did. Happiness, relief, pride; our system worked this time. I hope Tomas was able to be in that Chicago crowd... please keep getting better, Tomas. I was thinking of you as PA and OH went blue.

Now, back to reality. The Iraq war will not stop itself. Powerful men still hold the strings, even control our new new administration. A bucket of cold water hit me when the first appointment was of an Isreali Lobby middle-east war hawk... Rahm Emanual. Ok, I understand, debts need to be paid, no one gets elected in this country without incurring debts. "Feet to the fire", Barack. We will hold you to your promises to us. The lives of our military personnel depend on keeping our promises to them. No free lunch, I am not a party hack - I see the darkness and the light and I do not forget my obligations.

Writing.... I just about ran out of poems to post on Gotpoetry! I did not realize all my energies were being absorbed by worry and writing long emails to my good friends in Australia and England. Perhaps I should just post the emails. Naw, I'd better get to work. Meanwhile, I did write one topical piece I just posted on GP. I do believe I'll post it here, too.

Come Together


I want to know why we can’t all come together.
Just as Americans, why don’t we just get over
the red versus blue, now that the election’s done.
Get on with it; we have problems to overcome.
And one more thing I’d like to see….

No more mention of the “Black President” thing.
Sure, it was interesting…..but it’s all over now.
I’m not going to want to listen to that forever.
Just get over it and move on.
He’s Our President….. please let him do his job.

People are wondering about us around the world,
we looked like we’re still fighting the civil war.
I don’t blame them, I saw those TV maps before.
What would you think if you lived in Timbuktu?
Yeah, that’s what I thought; and I’m just like you.

I want to know why we can’t all come together.
The Beatles wrote the song a long time ago, brother.


Today is Friday. I must get my sign ready for the vigil in Aberdeen in heavy rain. Boy, that sign has been though a lot and still looks pretty good. Elma, WA on the 11th, Veteran's Day... the parade..... with Veterans for Peace, Fred, Mary and maybe Janice. Maybe my IVAW brothers will come too.

Thanks to everyone who sustained me and put up with my rollercoaster moods these past months. Whew, breathe.