By Benji Lewis, Courage to Resist for AlterNet. April 8, 2009

I am a veteran of Iraq who served two tours in the U.S. occupation of that country. I experienced firsthand the horrors of that war, and like many others, came to see it as nothing more than a chance for a very few to make vast profits in a short amount of time. Now, because of those selfish and irresponsible actions, the citizens of not only the U.S., but of the entire world, are asked to pay for the fallout of war in blood, sacrifice and currency.

But this is old news.

By Benjamin Lewis and Brandon Neely (photo right), AlterNet. November 11, 2008

On this day, Veteran's Day, we would like to express to the American public why we, veterans of the Global War on Terror, have chosen to refuse orders to reactivate into military service. We are direct witnesses to the horrors of this war, having experienced its atrocities at their source, and we have decided that we can no longer carry out these illegal and immoral policies.

Marine Benjamin "Benji" Lewis served two tours in Iraq and was honorably discharged in 2007. Recently, he received notification that he was a candidate to be recalled to active duty. Two weeks ago at a Winter Soldier event in Portland, Oregon, Lewis publicly announced his intention to refuse reactivation from the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). This is an article he wrote about his experience in the Marines.

By Benjamin "Benji" Lewis for ZNet. November 5, 2008

An imperative exists within United States Marine Corps dogma that states it is necessary to win the 'hearts and minds' of the indigenous population. Though seemingly amicable, the rationale for this statement translates into control through direct influence. For the Corps, this is parallel rhetoric: to accomplish this goal it is first necessary to control the minds of the Marines that are chosen to execute this task, an indoctrination that goes to the very roots of American society.

By Courage to Resist. October 27, 2008

Marine Benjamin "Benji" Lewis served two tours in Iraq and was honorably discharged in 2007. Recently, he received notification that he was a candidate to be recalled to active duty. Last week at a Winter Soldier event in Portland, Oregon, Lewis publicly announced his intention to refuse reactivation from the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR). Ten days before that event, Lewis spoke with Courage to Resist.

Part one. 18:20 min. (above). Part two. 12:01 min. (below)