A Father Speaks for His Son

This past week it was my privilege to host Bob and Rosa Watada during their visit to the Phoenix area. Bob and Rosa are the father and stepmother of Army Lieutenant Ehren Watata, the first commissioned officer to refuse service in the Iraq war. Lt. Watada is hardly alone in his refusal–many enlisted soldiers have previously refused to serve in Iraq–but his action dramatically escalates the military resistance to BushCheney’s illegal war in Iraq. For the first time an officer has refused to follow what he believes is an illegal order. More important, Lt. Watada has spoken out eloquently against the war. He is currently facing court-martial for missing deployment and for conduct unbecoming an officer.

The Watadas are making a nationwide speaking tour sponsored by Veterans for Peace. Since Lt. Watada cannot speak for himself, they are doing it for him and raising money for his defense.. I already knew of Lt. Watada’s refusal but meeting his parents gave me a new appreciation for his courage.

Keep in mind, it takes real courage to refuse an order as a matter of conscience. Lt. Watada, who joined the Army in 2003 because he wanted to serve his country. He served a year in Korea–a war zone–and took his responsibilities as an officer seriously. His father said that he volunteered for early deployment to Iraq but was told to wait and spend the time learning about his pending deployment to Iraq so that he could explain to his men why they should risk their lives, so that he could honestly lead them into battle and ensure that they were fully prepared for that task. Lt. Watada learned more than the Army bargained for. His father says that as a result of his studies, his son came to question the war and the orders he was being asked to follow. The more he studied, the more he came to see that the war was illegal and that by participating in it, he would violate his oath to preserve and protect the Constitution of the United States.

Mr. Watada says that his son did not come to his decision lightly but once he made it, he was fully prepared for the inevitable consequences, which could include up to eight years in military prison. Perhaps the greatest testament to his courage came when he spoke at the Veterans for Peace convention in August. As he stood at the podium, he was joined by about 50 Iraq Veterans Against the War. These men and women who did follow orders and returned to bear witness against the war offered the greatest tribute an officer can receive: a soldiers’ respect.

All this resonates with me. I sure as hell didn’t have Lt. Watada’s courage. I followed orders because I was too afraid to say no. Amazing that I was more willing to risk my life, to kill others rather than tell my country it was wrong. So when the opportunity to assist the Watadas in spreading the word about their son arose, I was happy to offer them and their Veterans for Peace representative, Doug Zachary, a place to stay for a couple nights. It was a small gesture for a courageous man.

If you live in one of the cities the Watadas will visit on their tour, please go hear them speak. Mr. and Ms. Watada are quiet individuals but their message and support for their son is eloquent.