3 brothers go AWOL in Minnesota

[annm4peace]

Source: Star Tribune


"After enlisting in the Minnesota Army National Guard, the Kamunens had second thoughts and didn't return to basic training after Christmas."

I couldn't believe when I saw the front page of the star tribune.... I thought I picked up the Pulse. Curiously, when I went online to re-read the article I couldn't find it right away.. I had to go through the 'search".

I'm a little confused because I thought someone could change their mind of servicing while they are in Basic Training... anyhow I hope more troops go AWOL,... I hope a lot more do because it seems the only way to get the rest of the troops home. Congress doesn't seem to have the courage to do it, and Bush would never do it.

I bet they "Freepers" are going to send a convey here to hang those deserters high, and slap a yellow sticker on them.

Read more: http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1222965.html

[uppityperson]

1. Not LBN due to timing

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x87249
More than 12 hours old, doesn't fit LBN.

Now, to comment on the article: good article, good to read. Pretty wild, lies, deceptions, how many AWOLs. "The Kamunen brothers are an example of a growing problem -- Army desertions have risen 35 percent in the past two years, according to Defense Department figures. The number rose from 2,450 in 2004 to 3,301 in 2006."

""Lower-quality recruits desert at much higher rates than higher-quality recruits," said Krebs, author of "Fighting for Rights: Military Service and the Politics of Citizenship," published last year by Cornell University Press."

[uppityperson]

2. kick and recommend for a very interesting article.

[uppityperson]

3. Found you, moved to GD. Links to other sites (non-register ones)

LBN is strict about posting rules. This piece, while a good piece, is more than 12 hours old, making it not LBN, so it got moved to GD. Anyway, it is interesting, so kick again.

Found links to same article you don't need to register for
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2007/06/05/mn/02mn0605.txt
http://wcco.com/local/local_story_155133237.html

[ComerPerro]

4. wonder if they thought they could con the Military out of the sign-on bonus

[Tom Joad]

5. Thanks for posting this. first, every high school student should watch this video

... so they don't get caught up in Bush's military machine in the first place
http://www.tomjoad.org/notyoursoldier.htm

Second, read the stories of those that resist.
http://tomjoad.org/WarHeroes.htm

Third, go to Courage to Resist, and find out how you can help the resistance within the military.
http://www.couragetoresist.org/x/

[uppityperson]

14. I keep being drawn back to this topic, having worked anti-recruiting with teens.

I keep asking myself how could they have done this? How can they be so, um, naive? Just wild. UP Jr is at a bit of a loss of a specific focus, but has a whole bunch of things that are of interest, problem is more which one to focus on. These guys, I don't know. These people, how can they be so naive? I guess there are a whole lot of people who want to believe. I wonder who they voted for, or even if they are registered to vote.

[Tom Joad]

15. Look at how many people here, most much older, thought the Dems really wanted to stop the Iraq war.

Seems pretty naive to me too.

It was hardly on their agenda.

[annm4peace]

20. Very Strong Counter Recruitment Community in MN

There is several groups and coalitions of these groups that education, speak out, protest, participate in civil disobeince, speak at School Board meetings, participate in walk outs, stop traffic for over 45 minutes, pass out literature, trying pass state bills..etc.

Yet even with all that MN has one of the largest groups of National Guard troops in Iraq.
It is sickening.

MN has one of the largest and most active Veterans for Peace chapters.
It also has a very impressive and courageous high school students at various high schools that organized www.YAWR.org they work to kick out recruiters at their high schools.

and a mostly college age group of Anti-War Committee.

Then there is the incredible women of WAMM Women Against Military Madness at www.worldwidewamm.org

There are many other AWOL people who these groups have been helping.

i would like to thank the DU members for giving this kicks.

[lonestarnot]

6. They have to catch them first!

:evilgrin:

[Yukari Yakumo]

7. Nope.

By the time you're in Basic Training, you've already signed the contract.

Which leads me to wonder just why did they signed up in the first place. They had to know a tour in Iraq was almost a certainty.

[uppityperson]

9. Think they were "mostly high school graduates who aren’t sure what to do next,"

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2007/06/05/mn/02mn0605.txt

...The men’s father, Leo, suggested Luke join the Guard because he believed the military would help him pay for college.

In March 2006, Luke walked into the National Guard recruiting office in Duluth. The recruiter, Sgt. Chris Beron, told him about a $20,000 signing bonus and, according to Luke, said that deployment was unlikely. “He told me that it’s really a rare occurrence that I was going to war,” Luke said. And if he did go to Iraq, “he told me I would be sitting in the barracks somewhere fixing a vehicle.”...

(clip)Beron “was telling us all the benefits and what we would be doing,” Leif said. “He made it seem too good to be true. All the money, we would be together through our career. He said there was always a chance (of Iraq), but he kind of minimized it.” Over the summer, younger brother Leo signed up too. “I was sick of this town,” he said.

[Tom Joad]

8. "I didn't feel so strongly about fighting for George Bush's war"

"I decided there was no way I could be apart from her for long periods of time when I didn't feel so strongly about fighting for George Bush's war," he said.

On Jan. 2, Luke slept in and missed the plane back to his military base. Leif missed the flight, too. So did Leo.

"We saw each other a couple days later," Luke said, "and we're saying, 'What, you didn't go back, either?' "

[uppityperson]

10. kids drifting, looking to survive until they develop some sense.

Incredible, but there are lots like this.

[LuckyLib]

18. That's it exactly. Rural guys, few jobs available, no money, no chance

to earn enough to attend school. Smooth talking recruiter, you're in.

[burrowowl]

11. WOW!

They woke UP!

[Bozita]

12. Story's got all the elements needed for MSM coverage.

War.

Three brothers enlist.

Family-style warm fuzzies.

AWOL.

Tell me this story doesn't have what it takes. It's got public support. Every poll says it's over.

[mzmolly]

13. Preying on the poor...

Carlton County's jobless rate is more than 6 percent. "It's really hard to find a job that's going to pay what you're worth," Luke said. "You either work for McDonald's or as a janitor."

Their father, Leo, suggested Luke join the Guard because he believed the military would help him pay for college. "It sounded really good," Leo said. "I encouraged him as much as I could."

In March 2006, Luke walked into the National Guard recruiting office in Duluth. The recruiter, Sgt. Chris Beron, told him about a $20,000 signing bonus and, according to Luke, said that deployment was unlikely.

"He told me that it's really a rare occurrence that I was going to war," Luke said. And if he did go to Iraq, "he told me I would be sitting in the barracks somewhere fixing a vehicle."

[Bozita]

16. The military industrial complex requires poor folks.

So they sell patriotism to kids who have no jobs and even fewer possibilities.

$$$$MONEY$$$$

Sign here, son. You'll be flying a F-16 in 90 days.

[Swamp Rat]

17. Good for them!

I hope they make it to Canada or wherever.

[LaPera]

19. Usual lying recruiters...3,497 reasons and growing not to go.