An Apology for the Invasion
and Continued Occupation of Iraq

Sponsored by
Whidbey Island Peace and Reconciliation Network

March 17, 2007
Fourth Anniversary of the Invasion of Iraq

As United States citizens we apologize for the harm caused by the tragic invasion of Iraq and our subsequent occupation.

The dictionary states well our intention. An apology is defined as a regretful acknowledgement of an offense or failure; a formal, public statement of regret.

Specifically we apologize:

• to our military personnel whose bodies, minds and souls have irresponsibly been placed in harms way;
• for the terrible harm done to the nation of Iraq and its people;
• to the poor of our nation who have been asked to sacrifice unequally with the loss of critical services while our national resources have been squandered in war;
• to the future generations who will be paying our war debts;
• to the world for our arrogance and our failures in moral leadership;
• and for violating international law and our own Constitution.

As we teach our children, an important part of an apology is to vow to stop our wrongdoing. So as citizens of the United States we make a firm commitment to stop the war and commence immediately with a responsible withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

Another essential part of a sincere apology is to make restitution when harm is done. So we urge our elected officials to provide assistance to the Iraqi people as they work to restore their nation and to provide generous and long-term restitution and support for our American troops and their families who have been killed, injured or suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome.

On Saturday March 17, 2007, on the fourth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, we invite the people of Whidbey Island to gather in solemn assembly to offer our statement of apology, to commit ourselves to stopping the war and the occupation of Iraq, and to offer assistance to the people of Iraq for their national recovery and to our military personnel who have borne the brunt of sacrifice.

We will invite our national congressional representatives and our fellow citizens in the state of Washington, and all citizens of the United States, to join us and also sign their names to the apology.

May this humane act of conscience help heal the soul of our nation, restore the harm done, and renew our commitment to the rule of law and moral leadership in the world.

 
For more information please contact Tom Ewell
tewell@whidbey.com or (360) 341-1457