Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
USA Today
December 12, 2006
Pg. 18
By Carolyn Thompson, Associated Press
TORONTO — He was on his way to his hometown of Buffalo, he had told his military superiors, to see whether the Bills' unproven quarterback, J.P. Losman, was "the real deal."
But on that long bus ride from Clarksville, Tenn., last year, the soldier vomited twice, maybe three times — and it wasn't football that had him so unnerved.
As he rolled north, Army Sgt. Patrick Hart was veering off a road he'd been on for nearly 10 years.
Every mile he traveled led away from the Army.
Away from his wife Jill, who worked in the commander's office at his Fort Campbell, Ky., base, and away from their young son.
"I knew I was at a turning point," said Hart, 33.
From Buffalo, Hart would cross into Canada. His parents, who were in on his secret, drove him across the Peace Bridge and delivered him to a network of Canadian supporters who welcome disillusioned U.S. troops with open arms, a place to stay and legal advice.
Hart became one of at least 25 U.S. servicemembers who have applied for refugee status.
Back at Fort Campbell, an unsuspecting Jill Hart picked up the phone at the house she had decorated in red, white and blue. Her husband of five years said he was not coming home.
Within days, Patrick Hart was listed as AWOL.
Jill Hart, who had thrown herself into the military life, was told the Army would stop health benefits for her epileptic son, then 3.
"I thought we had this great relationship," she recalled of her life within the military. "It made it very clear I'd been living in this world seeing what I wanted to see."
She flew to Toronto, where the family was reunited in September 2005, a month after her husband crossed the border. Jill Hart decided to give it a year. "Three days later I was fine," she recalled.
More than a year since he wore the uniform, Patrick Hart has no regrets: "I have no desire to go back."
The Harts have been active with peace groups, the Toronto Epilepsy Association and visible critics of the war in Iraq that he calls a "war of aggression."
"If you want to support the troops, bring them home," said Patrick Hart, who was in the Army 9½ years and served nearly a year in Kuwait in 2003. He left a month before he was to be sent to Iraq.
Army representatives did not return calls seeking comment.
Supporters estimate there are more than 200 U.S. deserters in Canada who have not sought protection. The Canadian government, which has troops in Afghanistan but not Iraq, has so far denied refugee status to today's U.S. troops.
"The limbo in which American war resisters are living in Canada is rather overwhelming, in that the Canadian government has not taken a position of welcome," said Bruce Beyer, who was given immigrant status by Canada after he fled induction into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He lived there five years before President Carter issued an amnesty for those who left.
In October, two of the self-described war resisters returned to the USA and turned themselves in. Kyle Snyder, 23, of Colorado Springs, was ordered to return to his unit. He has since disappeared. Darrell Anderson, 24, of Lexington, Ky., received an other-than-honorable discharge.
December 12, 2006
Pg. 18
By Carolyn Thompson, Associated Press
TORONTO — He was on his way to his hometown of Buffalo, he had told his military superiors, to see whether the Bills' unproven quarterback, J.P. Losman, was "the real deal."
But on that long bus ride from Clarksville, Tenn., last year, the soldier vomited twice, maybe three times — and it wasn't football that had him so unnerved.
As he rolled north, Army Sgt. Patrick Hart was veering off a road he'd been on for nearly 10 years.
Every mile he traveled led away from the Army.
Away from his wife Jill, who worked in the commander's office at his Fort Campbell, Ky., base, and away from their young son.
"I knew I was at a turning point," said Hart, 33.
From Buffalo, Hart would cross into Canada. His parents, who were in on his secret, drove him across the Peace Bridge and delivered him to a network of Canadian supporters who welcome disillusioned U.S. troops with open arms, a place to stay and legal advice.
Hart became one of at least 25 U.S. servicemembers who have applied for refugee status.
Back at Fort Campbell, an unsuspecting Jill Hart picked up the phone at the house she had decorated in red, white and blue. Her husband of five years said he was not coming home.
Within days, Patrick Hart was listed as AWOL.
Jill Hart, who had thrown herself into the military life, was told the Army would stop health benefits for her epileptic son, then 3.
"I thought we had this great relationship," she recalled of her life within the military. "It made it very clear I'd been living in this world seeing what I wanted to see."
She flew to Toronto, where the family was reunited in September 2005, a month after her husband crossed the border. Jill Hart decided to give it a year. "Three days later I was fine," she recalled.
More than a year since he wore the uniform, Patrick Hart has no regrets: "I have no desire to go back."
The Harts have been active with peace groups, the Toronto Epilepsy Association and visible critics of the war in Iraq that he calls a "war of aggression."
"If you want to support the troops, bring them home," said Patrick Hart, who was in the Army 9½ years and served nearly a year in Kuwait in 2003. He left a month before he was to be sent to Iraq.
Army representatives did not return calls seeking comment.
Supporters estimate there are more than 200 U.S. deserters in Canada who have not sought protection. The Canadian government, which has troops in Afghanistan but not Iraq, has so far denied refugee status to today's U.S. troops.
"The limbo in which American war resisters are living in Canada is rather overwhelming, in that the Canadian government has not taken a position of welcome," said Bruce Beyer, who was given immigrant status by Canada after he fled induction into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He lived there five years before President Carter issued an amnesty for those who left.
In October, two of the self-described war resisters returned to the USA and turned themselves in. Kyle Snyder, 23, of Colorado Springs, was ordered to return to his unit. He has since disappeared. Darrell Anderson, 24, of Lexington, Ky., received an other-than-honorable discharge.
