AWOL U.S. Soldier Surrenders

(AP)  A U.S. Army soldier who fled to Canada rather than return to Iraq said Tuesday he was traveling to Fort Knox to surrender to military authorities.

Kyle Snyder, a former combat engineer, left the United States in April 2005 while on leave to avoid a second deployment to Iraq.

"I don't see a lot of positive things coming from this war," Snyder told reporters Tuesday morning at a Louisville church. "I see it as a counterproductive mission."

The 23-year-old from Colorado Springs, Colo., had trained as an engineer with the 94th Corps of Engineers, but he said he was put on patrol when he got to Iraq in 2004, something he said he wasn't trained to do.

Snyder said he began to turn against the war when he saw an innocent Iraqi man seriously wounded by American gunfire. He believed the shooting was not properly investigated.

Attorney James Fennerty said a deal has been reached to keep Snyder from being court-martialed. Instead, he said, Snyder will receive an other-than-honorable discharge.

That would be the same punishment received by another deserter, Darrell Anderson, 24, of Lexington, who surrendered at Fort Knox on Oct. 3. Anderson was held for three days while his case was processed, then released.

Snyder had fled to Canada while on leave from the Army and applied for refugee status. He said he worked as a welder and at a children's health clinic while there.

Snyder was nervous about returning and said he understood people may not agree with his decision to desert the Army.

"I don't know how the American people are going to take the things I say," he said Tuesday.

[phatcrayonz]

HE SIGNED UP FOR HIS TIME... WHAT A BABY. BUT I DO AGREE WITH WHY HE DID IT. THE WAR IS ILLEGAL AND WE SHOULD NOT BE THERE, BUT----BUT HE KNEW WHAT BEING IN THE MILITARY ENTITLED. IF YOU SIGN THE CONTRACT DO YOUR FREAKIN' TIME AND STOP BEING A BABY ABOUT IT. NO RESPECT FROM ME.

[getagrip54]

Fighting for your friends is an admirable thing, but the US occupation of Iraq isn't. I'm sure the British troops that occupied the 13 colonies during the Revolutionary War had esprit de corp but it didn't make their cause right and they eventually lost. If you believe the US should still be in Iraq, why should we be fighting with part-time soldiers. If the cause is just, but they don't have the troops they should quit *** around with the National Guard and reinstitute the draft. Then the next election would show if the hearts and minds of the American people agree.

[delta5243]

hey ey200, right back at you brother !!!

[ey200]

I will never be able to walk again like I did before I went over there. I have lost almost all of the use of my right leg, I have a scar across the back of my head from hot steel, and two bullet holes in my arms. I gave my word that I would serve my country, and Dammit, if I could go back I would It's not about anything else but the guys next to you on the battle field!!! I don't give much thought to anything people back here think. My buddies needed me to have their back just like I SWORE I WOULD!!!

Delta, YOU GO BROTHER!!!!

[delta5243]

first off Getagrip54 I'm a 25 year old veteran, and E-5 in the U.S. Army I spent 17 months in the very beginning of the war in Iraq....saw horrible things, and will more than likley be going back over by no later than Febuary 07 which just happens to be right when I am supposed to be getting out, I know I'm not getting out any time soon...instead of ******** about it and running off to Canada I will follow my friends back into combat. I gave my WORD and to some people such as myself, my word is everything....as right or wrong as this war may actually be, I gave my word to obey the President of the United States and I'm going to keep it. and for you Kerry fans...I did go to college and I even graduated...took me 6 years thanks to Iraq but apparently I was smart enough for them to actually give me a diploma....who would have thought

[getagrip54]

I see delta5243 managed to unwrap himself from his flag long enough to post. Most of the Guardsmen are people who signed up expecting to spend a few days a year on manuevers in the US. Instead they're being sent halfway around the world for deployments of a year or more and this government has no qualms in redeploying them over and over again. I don't see Bush's daughters patrolling Sadr City. The Hawks should lead by example, send their kids to Iraq if they think it's so important. I suggest delta5243 and all the other pro-war posters volunteer for Iraq to replace those soldiers that aren't as committed to this boondoggle.

[delta5243]

let's put the war aside, how in God's great name could you let your brothers in arms go back over there without you, how in the hell can you justify that...my 3 best friends and I all served together and we saw our far share of deserters and made somewhat of a pack....if anyone in our company went AWOL, they where out, WHEN they where brought back (and every singe one of them where) they got the worst details, the worst fire guard times, always had to run the police calls, and NEVER EVER where to raise or take down the American flag.

-Delta

[stick130]

Kyle Snyder raised his right hand just like I did 30 years ago. We took an Oath to Protect the USA,not Defend Bush's LIES! Way to go Kyle. I would do the same,but I wouldn't come back until bush was out of office,I don't trust the Lier's.

bwright923 wrote:

"I, ___________________________________, do solemly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I WILL OBEY THE ORDERS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES and the orders of the officers appointed overme, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

And what if the President of the United States is tearing apart the very constitution that you swore to defend when you took the oath?

And what happens when you receive orders that go against everything that you and the regulations stand for.

If a superior officer tells you to kill innocent civilians, what would you do?

What if you were guarding prisoners in a prison and if you were ordered to treat prisoners inhumanely.

In Bush's war, the officers receive protection - the enlisted do not.

As far as I am concerned, in this particular case, the President is an enemy of the United States AND the Constitution.

[bwright923]

I, ___________________________________, do solemly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I WILL OBEY THE ORDERS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES and the orders of the officers appointed overme, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

PRETTY WELL SPEAKS FOR ITSELF