The Contagious Love Experiment meets Staten Island Activists
Iraq War veteran and conscientious objector Josh Stieber
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — June 13, 2009. On Saturday afternoon, activists from Staten Island and some who traveled from the City via ferry boat, got together at a local coffee shop called “The Cup” located in a very bohemian section of an island that is basically all residentially occupied by middle class families in hi-ranch homes. They came to participate in an intimate, yet intense, conversation with Josh Stieber. Josh is a recent member of Iraq Veterans Against the War or IVAW, and spent 14 months as an Army gunner in Baghdad, Iraq, as part of the “surge”. In April he was granted the status of “conscientious objector” after a year long struggle with the Army. Upon his military “release” he decided to start a journey not only geographically around the Country, but spiritually and emotionally. Josh researched various peace organizations and then started walking from Washington, D.C., his home, over 2 weeks ago.
Elaine Brower introduces Stieber
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)
The room at The Cup was filled with band equipment, old photos of Beatles Album covers, posters from the radical Sixties and vintage furniture. But the discussion was focused on the problems this current generation is facing with wars on many fronts that seem to have no end in sight. Those attending ranged in age from mid-twenties to mid-fifties, all intently listening to Josh recount his journey from joining the Army right out of high school with the fervor of a young boy who wanted to serve his country and help people who were being oppressed by a brutal dictator halfway across the world.
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)
He spoke about how in middle school he witnessed the terrorist attacks of 9-11, saw the Pentagon destruction up close and personal, and decided at that point that he wanted to serve his Country. Raised by an extremely religious and right wing family, he was sure his future was set in the path he had chosen.
In his search for the “good in humanity” he has walked the roads, slept in the woods and on the couches of strangers, and took rides from those who feared for his safety while walking through neighborhoods that might be unsafe.
He spoke of the steps he took in the realization of his mind that got him to this point in his young life of 21 years. While in boot camp, his first realization that he was either not understanding the military life or not cut out for it was when they had them marching to cadences that promoted killing and bloodshed, then watching violent videos of “terrorists” being blown apart with the backdrop of rock music. While in Iraq, he realized that they weren’t really helping anyone there, they were just trying to stay alive and come home, which meant killing anyone who prevented them from reaching that goal.
Josh Stieber’s story was compelling and inspiring to forum participants
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)
Josh recounted one particular incident when his platoon was called out to the streets where Iraqis were angrily protesting against the American occupation. Their job was to clear the streets, and arrest the protesters. In his mind, he realized that if the citizens of this country wanted them gone, then what were they doing there. If our cities had occupiers, wouldn’t we do the same thing?
Through his transition from “my country, right or wrong” to questioning his country’s motives, he read books that helped him delve deeper into the history of US empire and conquests, and included in that religious history. At a point in time when he was given leave in anticipation of coming back home for a month, he decided that he must not “train to kill” any longer. His plan was to take all his combat pay, and walk to Indiana to return it to the government payroll offices. He said he would take the consequences of jail if he had to. But after returning home to his family, discussing his plan, much to the horror of his loved ones, they helped him find another way.
A Vietnam War veteran asks a question
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)
It took one long year of diligently repeating to the Army, including his Staff Sgt that he would no longer “train to kill.” His platoon had mixed reactions, he recalls. Some who knew him and knew he truly meant what he said, stood by him, but others ridiculed him, including his staff sergeant who called him a “coward, slacker and terrorist.” But he was determined to show them that he was honest, was not shirking work, and eventually won him over. By the time his conscientious objector status review process was finalizing, the same staff sergeant who was angered over his refusal to “train to fight” helped him reach his goal.
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)
On a final note, I met Josh through the internet. A notice came via email that an Iraq vet was on a journey to find the good in “humanity” after witnessing so much horror and hatred, and that he needed help and housing. I responded immediately that I had a vacancy in my home since my son who recently returned from Iraq himself, moved out and left his bedroom empty. What a fitting place for Josh to stay, in my son’s room one Iraq vet to another.
Although is was a small gathering, and an intimate setting, it was an extremely powerful and gripping story spoken by citizen Josh Stieber. We were glad to welcome him and hope his quest to find the best in humanity is safe, pleasant and rewarding.
