US Army Interrogator Sgt. Ricky Clousing returned home to Washington State on December 23, 2006 after three months in a military prison. After his release, Clousing travelled to nearby Raleigh for a reception with local human rights supporters at the Raleigh Friends Meeting House.

An Iraq combat veteran, the 24-year-old Army interrogator from Seattle outlined his opposition to a "war of aggression" that has "no legal basis to be fought" at a August 11, 2006 press conference during the national Veterans for Peace convention. Photos: Iraq combat vet Sgt. Ricky Clousing speaks out against illegal war

“In Iraq I operated as an interrogator and was attached to tactical infantry units during daily patrol operations. As an interrogator I spoke to Iraqis each day. This gave me an idea of what local civilians thought of coalition forces. Throughout my training very appropriate guidelines for the treatment of prisoners were set. However, I witnessed our baseless incarceration of civilians. I saw civilians physically harassed. I saw an innocent Iraqi killed before me by US troops. I saw the abuse of power that goes without accountability. Being attached to a tactical infantry unit and being exposed to the brutalities of war, I began to doubt and reconsider my beliefs.” - Sgt. Ricky Clousing