We are Just Beginning
by Kevin and Monica Benderman

August 16, 2006

It's hard to believe that a year has gone by since Kevin's court martial at Ft. Stewart, but it has. Kevin has served over a year in prison for standing on principle, using the legal tool available to him to follow his conscience and refuse to participate in further acts of war after seeing the destructive effects of war firsthand during a combat tour in Iraq.

In just a short time now, Kevin will be released from confinement at Ft. Lewis. That, too, is something that is very hard to believe - but something I am very happy to finally be so close to happening.

I remember when he called me from Iraq to tell me that he was finally going to be able to come home - as much as I wanted him home, I was almost afraid to believe that he would actually be on that plane.
I had already learned not to trust the Army when it "gave its word" on anything.

This has been an amazing time - not just this past year, but the entire time of our involvement with the Iraq war. When I was growing up sitting on a quiet beach watching the waves, there was no way I could have imagined the road that Kevin and I have traveled. It has been a very difficult time, full of challenges, obstacles and roadblocks -- but it has been a time that neither one of us would trade. It has been a time that has brought us closer - and it has been a time that has given us incredible insight into just how much good there is in our country - and how much there is worth fighting for.

Taking a stand for what you believe, making a conscious choice to live by your principles, to retain your values and hold onto what your conscience believes to be morality can be a very lonely stand -- but it is also a stand that brings a sense of peace that is hard to describe. The journey is well worth the difficult twists and turns -- of course it's made all the better when you are sharing it with someone who believes as you do - from deep inside.

Kevin and I both feel that we are just beginning -- and we are looking forward to the next turn in the road.

We can't speak for all Conscientious Objectors, or all veterans, or all activists - but we hope to be able to speak to many people to say "Thank You" and to help lead a public discussion of changes that can be made to bring the divided factions of our country together again, and to help move us all closer to peace.

We can speak out about our experiences – about our beliefs – about lessons we have learned and mistakes we have made.

We can, and will speak about what Conscientious Objection means to us – why Kevin chose it and why I support his choice.

We can, and will speak out about the benefit of returning to the foundation of our country – the Constitution – and hopefully help inspire a public dialog regarding the principles and freedoms on which the Constitution was developed and how they relate to Conscientious Objection.

We can, and will speak out about the changes that we believe must be made regarding soldiers’ rights, and giving our veterans the respect they deserve for the service they have given.

We can, and will use our experiences to hopefully help others to see that there is a light at the end of every challenge, and if what you believe in is from deep inside; if it is from your conscience, then it is worth taking the challenges presented and working through them. What you believe can become reality – but it takes hard work, patience, commitment and an acceptance that you will be the one doing the work. When it’s your beliefs and your conscience guiding you no one else can do the work for you – but there can be an awful lot of valuable support encouraging you as you face that challenge.

Kevin and I both want to thank you for the support you have given and continue to give us. We've each had to face our own challenges in this past year, but the support and encouragement you give has been more meaningful than you know. High-wire acts are not nearly as scary when there is a safety net strung below --- your support has given us that net --- and it is truly appreciated.

We are just beginning -- and we hope that as we do move forward we do it in a way that respects the faith that your support shows for our actions.

We hope you will continue to visit www.BendermanDefense.org, and that you will look for updates on our future projects, and for news of Kevin's release.

Thank you for having been there -- and thank you for what you do for us.


In Peace,

Monica and Kevin Benderman