Liam Athias Babington

The reason I joined the military was in essance following in my fathers foot steps. I had originally served in the early to mid 80's and then got out. with along break in between. When I joined back up much had changed. adn it was one year before 9-11 The events of 9-11 occured and I truely believed that being in the military was the right place and that I was, in what ever capacity was defending my country. Events took a tun of events, I was stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and saw what was happening to all the soldiers, sailors marines and Airmen. my borthers and sisters... and how they were falling through the cracks!! I did what ever I could. even bending the rules, "splitting hairs" to help those left out in the cold. After this assignment I was assigned to casuality affairs, this is where notifications went out to family members were notified about theri loved one's whom had been killed in the Iraq war. It was here that I started to begin to really feel the full impact of what we were doing. We were killing ourselves, people in another country and destroying the very fundations upon which we believe in... fairness. The war was a lie, this has since come out. But I still continued on as I had made a commitment to serve out my time It was from here that I was assigned to Andrews Air Force Base, and tasked out to the Security Forces Squadron on the base. Things did not fair well for me, when certian laws were broken and I challanged my leadership as to what was to be done with regards to the matters which I raised. I was rebuffed, harrased and threatened. I became completly dissalusioned. I can beyond any doubt state that I watched the legal , moral and ethos completly break down. There was nothing left. when the orders which I was on ended. I had the opportunity to transfer into the IRR. and did. I went home to Norway where I am at preseltly. This place is my home. With out much pomp and fanfare I came home. But since comming home, (and again) with out going into much detail I was diagnosed with PTSD suffer to this day. mostly from the betrayal, but also from the threats and harrassment which I recieved. My wife had the sad burden to see the end result of the baggage I brought home. It was not pretty. SHE is the one whom should be honored, not me. She saved me from myself. I was not supported by the military as I should have been. I was simply shown the door, by the Air Force. like a tool that is broken and thown away. Why did I Join the IVAW? Simple, I have a daughter, she will grow up and I do not want the military getting theri hands on her. I also wish to remain vigilant. against any other "wars" conflicts, etc that will (sooner or later) occur. I want to stand up against this because no matter how much the politicians want us to believe, NO war is a good war. And those whom make the decisions never stop to consider the law of unintended consiquences. I can not say that I was in Iraq or Afganistan. I can say that I saw the end result of war. the pain and suffering. I still see it today. There are Iraqi citizens whom live here in Norway. We made promises to them; and of course broke those promises. what of them?! They as human beings are carrying around the scars of war. It has been said never again. but again we repeat these words...again. I am taking sides, I do not support war. nor those whom covet it.