A Chapter Closes...
by Agustin Aguayo, June 2008
My bid to the Supreme
Court was rejected March 18, 2008. This means my case will never be heard
by the Supreme Court and my quest for justice failed and I will never be vindicated
legally. Although, I have come to accept this and knew of the possibility
it has been disheartening. I don't need outside sources to validate me. I
know who I am and I know what is in my heart. And even though I know I am
not defined by this outcome or by others' opinions of me I can't deny my disappointment.
How can others not see I am a TRUE conscientious objector? In the end, I know
I fought this to the very end and we gave it our all. I will always look back
with no regrets. Thank you to every person who made it possible for me to
fight it all the way.
As of yet, I haven't been discharged from the Army. I was informed last month
that the Commanding General has decided to affirm the convictions of desertion
and missing movement which were successfully tried against me in court-martial.
I eagerly anticipate being discharged soon.
My family and I have been put through so much emotionally, physically, and
financially. We are finally on our way to a full recovery and I feel so blessed
and at peace.
Currently, I am involved in peace work and speak as much as I can to at-risk
youth. My wife and I also support many soldiers and their families going through
the CO process and/or deployment. For more information on this program click
here. To help fund this project click here. And
although we still don't have a book deal we are actively working on a book
project.
Obviously, this is no way to support a family. But we are doing the best we
can to survive. This work means the world to me. However, I am looking for
FT or PT work. If you have any leads please contact
me.
I am also looking into continuing my education and am contemplating pursing
Peace Studies. Again, if anyone has any leads on this please contact
me.
Sincerely,
Augie
Our Family Recovers...
by Helga P. Aguayo, June 2008
I thought that when Augie returned our ordeal would be over and our family would be OK. More than anything I yearned for some peace and tranquility for all of us after all the campaigning, after all the legal battles and after all the pain we endured hoping for a better Aguayo tomorrow -- all I wanted was a little peace.
When Augie came home, we were joyful and exuberant he was finally with us. Sadly the jubilation was short lived and nothing could have prepared me for what came next.
My health which had been on a steady decline finally deteriorated to the point where my condition of Psoriasis became life-threatening. The stress of fighting the Army and being persecuted for opposing this war had finally caught-up with me. There have been ups and downs to my health but the situation when Augie got back was pretty grim. I think I had been so strong for so long that I was finally able to let go and fall; I knew Augie would be there to catch me.
Aside from my condition I didn't realize how badly hurt my family was. Our harshest battle has come from trying to put our family back together, again. My panic attacks were out of control and it almost seemed as if Augie and I picked-up right where we left off the last time we were together: having major panic and anxiety attacks while he jumped out the back window and went AWOL. His PTSD kicked in full force and I was a basket case.
Throughout our ordeal, Raquel and Rebecca had been strong and fought side by side with us, with poise and courage. But they too, began showing signs of emotional crises. They began cutting and withdrawing and all four of us were diagnosed with depression.
Our girls, and we were in such turmoil we had no idea how to repair ourselves. But how could we not be in so much pain? Especially the girls! After dealing with a year long deployment -- not knowing if their father was in danger, which also meant they saw their friends' fathers return from Iraq in body bags. We lived on a military base in Germany away from friends, family, and support. The girls went to a military school for over 3 years. They saw my health deteriorate. They saw with their own eyes -- they lived through -- the military persecuting their father and family. (Next -- Page 2)