Specialist Michael New
United States Army
Fellow American,
I just couldn't do it.
I was raised to love my country. I took a sacred oath to protect and defend
the United States Constitution.
That's why when they gave me a direct order to take the U.S. insignia off my
uniform and replace it with a symbol of the United Nations I had to say no.
Do you believe I did the right thing? I'd really like to know. It's
important to me to know that I am not standing alone.
For my own peace of mind would you please use the form at the bottom of page
4 to let me know YES or NO if you think I did the right thing by refusing to
obey an illegal order? Thank you so much.
I don't think you can possibly appreciate just how hard it was for me to
refuse a direct order. I've served as a medic in Kuwait and have received
ribbons for my service as a model soldier.
I think of myself as patriotic. I honor the American flag and, as the son of
missionary parents, I trust in God.
But when I questioned why I should discard the insignia of the United States
and put on a blue U.N. helmet and the flag of United Nations the only
response I was given was, "Because they look fabulous."
Or another time--the answer was simply, "Because the President said so." Yet
Article 92 of the Uniform Code of. Military Justice specifically states
that soldiers are to "obey only lawful orders."
Well frankly, I didn't care how "fabulous" the U.N. uniform looked, I knew
the order was illegal and so I turned out for the formation the morning of
October 10 proudly wearing the authorized Battle Dress Uniform of the United
States of America.
That's when my nightmare began. I was pulled out of formation and read my
rights.
They made it clear that they were going to "make an example of me." Could it
be that Bill Clinton would not tolerate anyone questioning his right to put
American fighting men and women under the United Nations without Congressional
approval?
page 2
But I could not obey an illegal order, and go along with the President's
plan to surrender American to the United Nations. As a result,
I felt the full wrath of the federal bureaucracy!
I even volunteered to be quietly transferred to another unit. But that
wasn't acceptable.
I was court martialed.
They wanted to conduct the trial in secret, but I insisted on a public trial
even though that increased the penalty to possible hard time in prison.
But I didn't have a chance. The deck was stacked against me.
The judge not only refused to hear any evidence that the
order I was given was illegal, he even instructed the jury
that they could not consider whether the order was illegal!
I was driven out of the United States Army in disgrace
and given a Bad Conduct Discharge.
Ironic, isn't it. Bill Clinton, who ducked the draft and
instead spent his time in anti-war protests and visits to
Moscow, succeeds in throwing someone who loves his country and
willingly serves in combat out of the Army!
But I was raised to fight for truth and justice.
That's why I am appealing my discharge from the Army.
I'm fighting to get my reputation back. I'm fighting for
my honor and to protect the right of U.S. soldiers to fight
only for the United States of America, not the United Nations.
And if I don't win this battle, no man or woman in the U.S. Armed
Forces will be safe from being forced to wear the blue beret of the
United Nations instead of the uniform of the United States of America.
And if I don't win this battle I'll never be able to hold my head high
again.
At just 24 years of age, I will find myself in a very difficult situation.
Who will hire me? Who will want someone who was discharged from the U.S.
Army in disgrace? Who will trust me or believe me?
As The Washington Times said, I am left with "a stain on my record
that can never be erased." That's why I must continue this fight. I just
cannot surrender to Bill Clinton or anyone who would force me to deny my
allegiance to the United States of America.
page 3
No U.S. soldier should ever be forced to strip his uniform of the Stars &
Stripes shoulder patch which show that he is an American willing to give his
life to defend his country and the United States Constitution.
Never again should an American be ordered to discard his allegiance to the
United States in favor of the United Nations!
That's what I am fighting for--the sovereignty of our republic, my fellow
patriotic soldiers and for the right to hold my head high because I did the
right thing by refusing to obey an illegal order.
And now I must do something that is harder than it was for me to tell
Colonel Eaton that I could not obey an illegal order to change from the
official uniform of the United States Army into the unauthorized uniform of
the United Nations. I am asking for your financial support.
As the son of missionaries and an enlisted man in the United States Army I
don't have to tell you that I am not a rich person.
The truth is I am totally at your mercy.
I can only fight back in this David vs. Goliath struggle if I have your
help.
I have learned that you can't win in court unless you are willing to spend
tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of dollars on transcripts,
depositions, research, telephone calls, photo copies, travel expenses,
lawyers, etc., etc.
It is truly mind boggling how much it costs to simply seek justice.
And my entire ability to fight back against the Clinton bureaucracy depends
on you.
Will you help?
Obviously I don't know what you can afford to give. Perhaps you are blessed
materially and can afford to send $1,000 or more to my defense fund.
If you can and you will -- all I can say is thank you.
But frankly, it will take more than just a couple of $1,000 gifts to finance
my battle for justice.
I need your support no matter what amount you can send -or $50 or $100
whatever. In fact, if you'll send at least $24, I'll send you a video
tape that tells the whole story of my long ordeal and just how dangerous
it is for a U.S. soldier to wear a United Nations uniform.
page 4
The point is, no matter what you can send, I need your help. And believe
me, the need is now. It's urgent.
I have already built up a stack of legal bills, over $115,000, that must be
paid soon if my case is to go forward. Will you help me today? Please?
Sincerely,
SPC Michael New
P.S. I would truly like to know what you would have done if you were in
my shoes. Do you believe I did the right thing? Your answer to this
question means a lot to me. If you will, please check off YES or NO on the
reply form shown below. And, if you do believe in my fight, won't you
please help with a check today? Thank you and God bless you.
P.P.S. Remember, if you can send at least $24 I'll send you a video tape
that tells the full story of my stand for truth and justice.
Please use the following form to let me know if you think I
did the right thing.
_____No Michael, I don't think you were justified in disobeying a direct order
even if you believed it to be illegal and even though Article 92 of the
United States Military Code say a solider should not follow illegal orders.
A soldier must obey all orders.
_____YES Michael, you did the right thing.
You took an oath to the United States Constitution, not the U.N. Charter.
Bill Clinton was wrong asking you and American soldiers to serve under a
foreign commander and wear a United Nations uniform.
I know you are in a very difficult situation and I'll help with a
contribution of:
( ) 1,000 ( ) 250 ( ) 100 ( ) 50 ( ) $24** ( ) $______ Other
(Remember, if you'll send at least $24 I'll send along a copy Good Conduct,
the special video documentary which tells the story of my ordeal).
Name_____________________________Street____________________________
City_____________________________State______ ZIP________________
Unfortunately your contribution is not tax-deductible.
Please return to: Michael New Legal Defense Fund
Washington, DC 20069-0408
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