U.S. Marine From Vermont Tosses His Medals, Calls for End to War in Iraq
Video: Jon Turner from Burlington, Vermont tears off his badges and medals and speaks out at the Winter Soldier hearings
"At one point, this was OK. But reality has shown that it is not ... I am sorry for the hate and destruction I have inflicted on innocent people ... The reason I am doing this is ... until people hear what is going on with the war, it will continue to happen and people will continue to die."
As citizens of this country we have a civic duty to know what is going on in Iraq. Our tax dollars are paying for it and we have a right and duty to know. Who better to tell us the truth, than the brave soldiers on the ground who risk their lives.
Jon Michael Turner, a U.S. Marine from Burlington Vermont saw that something was wrong. He saw that we are not "bringing freedom" to Iraq; we are killing innocent people - families and children. He knows first hand. In a heroic act of patriotism, he decided to tell the American people what is really going on in Iraq. He hopes that when people realize what is really going on there, we will do what is necessary to end this war, as soon as possible.
Jon's story is not watered down or filtered by the media. It's the plain truth. And many other soldiers are lining up to tell their similar stories of atrocities and why the war must end. "Winter Soldier" was a forum set up for these soldiers and veterans to speak the truth to America.
You'd think that if a group of soldiers who have served their country and risked their lives had a forum such as this, it would make the headlines, or at least get some exposure in the media. It is the media's duty to inform the public, so we can make informed choices, for example when we vote. The circumstances in Iraq, where our children are being sent to fight and die, is something we all need to know about. But not surprisingly, the corporate controlled media ignored Winter Soldier completely. Not a single major news network or newspaper has even mentioned it. This is a slap in the face to the soldiers who deserve to have a voice and be heard.
Even the Burlington Free Press has failed to mention the hometown soldier's comments and actions.
In regards to the upcoming election which could have a profound affect on the direction we take in Iraq, the media chooses to focus on irrelevant side issues and rarely bring up the war at all. Shame on the media for not doing its job.
I believe what Jon said is true. The people need to know what is really going on, in order to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions. If we get the watered down version of the story from the media, we're bound to sit complacently and just hope it ends soon. But when I watched his video and heard his story, and I realized what is really happening there, I am more motivated than ever to do something about it.
Once again, it's up to the people to "be the media" and help brave patriots like Jon Turner have a voice. Please share this video with others. Please go to the Winter Soldier website and view some of the other soldiers' speeches. To comment or "blog" about this video, please do so on the YouTube page here. If we all do a little to help spread the word, the message will get out and the American people - both Democrats and Republicans, will demand an end to the war.
