Posted at 12:10 p.m., Thursday, June 22, 2006
Hawaii man refuses deployment to Iraq
Advertiser Staff
1st Lieutenant Ehren Watada, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, did not accompany his unit as ordered today when it departed for Iraq, according to a statement from the Army's public affairs office in Fort Lewis, Wash, where Watada is stationed.Watada, a graduate of Kalani High School, has made headlines for steadfastly refusing to go to Iraq, saying the war is immoral and illegal. He has been both criticized and praised for his stance.
Watada, 28, remained today within his battalion's headquarters building instead of showing up for the designated manifest call at his battalion location at 5:13 a.m.
Soldiers scheduled to fly to Iraq departed by bus on schedule from Fort Lewis for McChord Air Force Base, which is adjacent to Fort Lewis, at 6:45 a.m., the Army said.
Some 4,000 Soldiers from Fort Lewis' 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division will deploy to Iraq, the statement said.
The Army said no charges will be filed against Watada "until the commander has had a chance to review all of the facts of the case and consult with the Staff Judge Advocate."
Meanwhile, Watada has been ordered to remain on duty at his unit at Fort Lewis, with some limitations on his pass privileges, pending further instructions from his chain of command.
