Daniel Garza

I joined the US Navy in April 2003. Deployed on the USS Nimitz in 2005 and 2007 in support of OIF / OEF. During my 2007 deployment, I finally forced myself to deal with the facts of the war. I considered becoming a conscientious objector, but couldn't find the courage to stand up to my superiors.... a decision that still haunts me.

Honorably Discharged in December 2008. I have since read much history on American Imperialism and the fate of countries who refuse to cooperate with our political / business plans. It makes me sick that we claim to bring freedom and democracy to the world, but history shows that we install puppet governments that exploit and abuse their own citizens at the behest of the American Government (Guatemala, Honduras, Cuba, Phillipines, Panama, Vietnam, Chile, Iran coup of 1953, etc). I feel guilty for the hundreds of thousands civilians my country has been responsible for killing, and the millions left wounded.

Why am I joining IVAW.... because stopping the wars and giving the dead and wounded (American, Iraqi, and Afghani) some justice is the right thing to do.