War Deserter’s Fate Now in Hands of U.S. Military

16 July 2008

By Monique James

BOISE-The first Iraq war deserter to be deported back to the United States from Canada is a Boise (Idaho) native.

The U.S. military has detained 25-year-old Robin Long, a Timberline High School grad, on charges that he fled the country to avoid fighting in Iraq.

Long’s fate is now up to his military commander in Fort Carson, Colorado. That's where Long is headed.

That commander has three options for punishment: Long can be discharged from the military, he can be returned to duty or he can face desertion charges and a military trial. The latter is the most likely option.

"No decisions have been made about anything dealing with him. All cases of alleged violations of the uniform code of military justice are handled on an individual case basis," said Karen Linne, Fort Carson public affairs.

Long fled the United States for Canada in 2005 when his non-deployable military unit was sent to Iraq.

He's been living in British Columbia for the past three years and has a two-year-old son there.

Long's sister, Christine, says she fears for her brother now that he's back in the U.S.

"When I heard what was going on I’m kind of freaked out because he's my brother, I don't want anything to happen to him," said Christine Long.

Long's Canadian expulsion comes after he failed to check in with Canadian immigration officials and provide them with a current address in Canada.

On Monday, a Canadian federal judge ordered Long's expulsion and he began his journey back to the U.S.

Until today Long was being held in the Whatcom County Jail in Bellingham, Washington.

Commentary

When I see stories such as this, it reminds me of the Vietnam War all over again and how many considered that war unjust; as the ones in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Furthermore, this situation is like watching an old newsreel; the only difference is now, we have color.