Iraq War Veteran
I first met Joshua Casteel several years ago at Riverside Church in New York City.
Joshua grew up in an Evangelical Christian household, was a member of the Young Republicans, and received a 4-year ROTC scholarship and appointment to West Point. He went to boot camp at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri in 1997, then served with the Army's 202nd Military Intelligence Battalion as an Arabic translator and U.S. Army interrogator inside the prison at Abu Ghraib.
Although I had watched Joshua's interview in the award-winning documentary, Soldiers of Conscience, I was completely unprepared for the impact of hearing, in person, this bright, articulate, thoughtful and impassioned speaker - so young, yet able to express such a profound understanding of the meaning of conscience, that I found myself at a loss for words when we spoke for a few minutes after his public testimony. He had said, "There is no such thing as a private conscience. Conscience is inherently social." I wrote that down and thought about it, and continue to think about it.
Please listen to him in this video clip of his testimony at the Truth Commission On Conscience In War, Riverside Church, New York City, March 21, 2010
After returning to the United States in January 2005, Joshua submitted CO (conscientious objector) paperwork in February and was honorably discharged in May. Since returning, he has been active in the peace movement, serving on the board of directors of Iraq Veterans Against the War and chairing IVAW's Religious Dialogue committee. Joshua attended the University of Iowa graduate playwright workshop, wrote two plays about his experiences in Iraq, and earned an M.F.A. His story was featured in Robert Greenwald's documentary film, Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers. Letters from Abu Ghraib was published by Essay Press and excerpts from the book were printed in Harper's Magazine.
Currently, Joshua is undergoing intensive treatment for stage IV cancer. His family is with him as are many friends and supporters. He is doing well enough that he plans to resume teaching one day a week. But, even so, more help and loving care is needed. Please go to http://joshuacasteel.com/?p=65 or to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/joshuacasteel/resources and give what you can.
Eva Usadi
Founder and Director
Warrior Camp
a program of Trauma and Resiliency Resources, Inc.
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