Posted on 11/01/2006 10:34:18 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
A U.S. Army soldier who fled to Canada rather than return to Iraq has disappeared again, this time just a day after surrendering to the military. Pvt. Kyle Snyder, 23, of Colorado Springs, Colo., told The Associated Press he was supposed to return by bus to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Louisville on Tuesday but didn't go. He said he went AWOL after Fort Knox officials told him he would be sent back to his unit, the 94th Engineer Battalion.
Snyder returned to the United States on Saturday, after his lawyer said he had reached a deal to receive an other-than-honorable discharge.
"I came back in good faith," Snyder said Wednesday by phone. "I put my trust in them one more time. Why should I put my trust in them again when I can just go back to Canada?"
He did not disclose his location.
Messages seeking comment were left with Gini Sinclair, a Fort Knox spokeswoman, but were not immediately returned Wednesday night.
Snyder, a former combat engineer, left the United States in April 2005 while on leave to avoid a second tour in Iraq. He said he worked as a welder and at a children's health clinic in Canada.
Snyder has said he was put on patrol when sent to Iraq in 2004, which he said he was not trained to do, and that he began to turn against the war when he saw an innocent Iraqi man killed by American gunfire.
I wonder how long before they make a movie about him, of course portraying him as a hero.
Okay...he was in custody on an Army post. How did he get away???
If he was in a brig, the jailers should be Article 15'd at LEAST!!
Wasn't the guy guarded????
The fact that he got away AGAIN is a sign of gross incompetence on the part of the Army!
Now what?
The horrors of war.
Canada can keep him, the traitor.
This guy's from Colorado Springs???!!!? sounds more like he's from John Kerry's home town!
Wasn't the guy guarded????
Probably not. Probably put in BOQ and told to report at such and such a time. Not that hard to walk away if that's what you want to do.
*shakes head*
I guess I'm a bit confused here. I thought desertion during time of war was an offense that got you thrown in the stockade with a diet of bread and water. Not coddling of a criminal by letting him stay in a comfortable room. UNGUARDED.
And...why didn't the gate guards at Ft. Knox NOTICE ANYTHING???? If they're military, their heads ought to roll, with demotions. If they're a civilian security company, then they need to be fired and/or the contract reviewed.
They let a CRIMINAL get away! INEXCUSABLE!
That's not to say that I'd not like to have a...chat with him. Just the three of us him, myself and my friend Mr. Club
If that were the case, then it does not surprise me that he escaped. I personally know of a case where 2 years ago a local soldier, who was AWOL, turned himself in at Fort Knox, KY. The next day he was back home. He told that he was put in a room that was unlocked and unguarded. Not being a person with patience he got tired of hanging around in the room and just walked out. Official's there knew where he was at but did not come to pick him up. What gives with the Army that they do not make any effort to place in custody those who change their mind and just walk away?
Snyder has plans for a book called Child of War.
See reply 9
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