Embedded Files
For: Attachment 2 Conscientious Objections by Walton D. Stowell II
To: 167 MSF/CC; 167 MSG/CC; 167 AW/CC; TAG WV; NGB/DPP July 10, 2008
Public Summary of official CO Application Letter
A2.1. General Information Concerning Applicant Walton D. Stowell II
A2.1.1. Walton Danforth Stowell II
A2.1.2. (secret)
A2.1.3. Selective Service Number n/a
A2.1.4. 167th ALW Shepherd Airfield Base
222 Sabre Jet Blvd., Martinsburg, WV 25401
A2.1.5. Stowell Galleries, PO Box ___
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
A2.1.6. Private Catholic High School attended: 1992-1994
Saint John’s Literary Institute at Prospect Hall
889 Butterfly Lane, Frederick, MD 21702
Roger Williams University attended: 1994-1997
Bristol, RI 02809-2921
Savannah College of Art & Design attended: 1997-2000
Office of the Registrar PO Box 3146
Savannah, Georgia 31402-3146
Basic Military Training Course, US Air Force: 2006
Lackland, TX
Engineering Apprentice Course, US Air Force: 2006
Fort Leonard Wood, MO
Personnel Apprentice Course, US Air Force: 2008
Keesler AFB, Mississippi
A2.1.7. National Park Service: HABS / HAER: 1993-2002
Historic Draftsman, Foreman, & Supervisor GS-7
Peter Dessauer HAFE NPS, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
Stowell Architects: 1997-2004
Architect, Landscape Designer, & Business Manager
Kip Stowell PO Box ___ Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
Shepherd College: 2004-2005
Adjunct Professor of Historic Preservation
Dr. Charles Hulse, Full-time Faculty, Shepherdstown WV
US Air National Guard: 2005-2008
Engineering & Personnel Apprentice
167th ALW Martinsburg, WV 25401
Stowell Galleries: 2007-2008
Chief Curator, Deputy Director, & Manager
Kip Stowell PO Box ___ Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
A2.1.8. Roger Williams University Dorms: 1994-1997
Bristol, RI 02809-2921
Savannah College of Art & Design Dorms: 1997-2000
Savannah, GA 31402-3146
Basic Military Training Barracks, US Air Force: 2006
Lackland, TX
Engineering Apprentice Barracks, US Air Force: 2006
Fort Leonard Wood, MO
Personnel Apprentice Barracks, US Air Force: 2008
Keesler AFB, Mississippi
Noel Tavano; Residential Address: 2007-2008
Frederick, MD 21703
Stowell Galleries; Permanent Address: 1976-2008
PO Box ___, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
A2.1.9. Parents: Nena & Kip Stowell (living)
Stowell Galleries, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
A2.1.10. Methodist / Independent Spirituality
A2.1.11. No Prior Selective Service System application was made
A2.1.12. Applicant has served over 3 years (June 4, 2005-June 4, 2008+)
A2.2 Training and Belief
A2.2.1. Applicant seeks separation from military service for reasons of personal conscience. The nature of this “conscientious objection to war” is comprised of 10 beliefs. (1) The realization that military service is in conflict with past convictions. (2) Present conscientious objections to war profiteering. (3) Educational ethics over political belligerence. (4) Refusal to submit to the cycle of war created by corporate capitalist greed which perpetuates a postmodern quagmire. (5) Disillusionment with the modern military; which has forsaken its historic civilian militia roots and cannot change a corrupt system so entrenched. (6) (7) Environmental and global climate issues are more worthy than imposing martial law for excess economic gain for the elite. (8) Local community service is a casualty of war, but should not be. (9) Religious commandments have taught us for thousands of years not to kill, and to hold the Golden Rule highest. (10) The realization that military service is in conflict with future goals against war, and towards peace.
A2.2.2. Beliefs developed from a committed self-destructive righteous anger towards war mongers, to an empathetic pity for such devils. Upon further life goal refinements my belief changed from a determination to see what change I could make within the military, to the conclusion that I have done as much as I can without sacrificing my life altogether. This is based on the premise that if I were to stay in the military I would gradually be forced to sacrifice almost every value and freedom that I hold fiercely as a US citizen, and the military would be unaffected by my individual sacrifices as those sacrifices would only support the machine to further steamroll the issues that I hold more important than war. Factors contributing to conscientious objections existed before we were born, but have been taught to us since birth. Conscientious objections are taught by teachers who value caring over anger, consideration above hate, and peace greater than war. These lessons are to be found in the quest of Gilgamesh, the oldest recorded story of civilization. When Gilgamesh was a belligerent tyrant he was hated by his people and himself. The climax of the story is when Gilgamesh loses his brother Enkidu in battle, and is destroyed from within. From that point on, our hero seeks the meaning of life. At the end, he thinks he has failed but ironically is immortalized by the very quest that turns out to be one of the greatest stories in all of history. As a child I was taught at churches that Jesus never supported the perpetuation of conflict in any form, but in fact supported peace and love as a religious requirement for worshiping God. The Bible has been taught to me by many people. From Sunday school teachers, priests, ministers, Catholic school teachers, and the Bible itself; all seem to recognize that conscientious objections are part of a larger Truth.
A2.2.3. These views became incompatible with military service only after I experienced for myself the modern reality of serving in the US Air Force. Although the US Air Force has helped me to evolve as a person, this evolution allowed me to better assess my life, values, and how my actions relate to my goals. The military has helped me achieve certain stepping stones, and for that I do not regret my past service. Rather, I value the friendships I have made, and the lessons I have learned, and do not wish to bring harm to any of those I have served with because of my own conscientious objections. For example if my conscience causes me to disobey an order, it can put my coworkers in jeopardy, and I do not desire further conflict that will not achieve desired change. Human lives of those I care about are not worth sacrificing for changes that can be achieved through non-violent means. Also I do not think that being imprisoned for unjust laws is serving much of anything.
A2.2.4. There are circumstances that the use of force is necessary, and it is my understanding that it is not necessary to be a pacifist to achieve Conscientious Objector Status. To what extent may force be used under any foreseeable circumstances, is a question of circumstantial self-defense to me. It is my goal that I not apply force as an aggressive tactic for any means, but only as defensively to protect those within my reach. Martial Arts training has always taught me that conflict is to be avoided, and my training is only to be used as a last resort.
A2.2.5. My daily lifestyle has changed as a result of these beliefs in several prominent ways. I engage in violent or angry disputes less than in the past 10 years of my life. Although I still get angry on occasion and yell, I do not physically fight people as much. I have violently struck people for no good reason in years past, but in recent years I allowed a loaded gun to be pointed at my head by a psychopath two times without attacking him at the time or afterwards. He later went on to kill another friend of mine without warning with the same gun, and this event has deepened my resolve that peace is more important than war. To live in a perpetual state of anger is to become the shooter. My future actions should not be that of the disgruntled shooter, as that would not support the cause of peace more than peace itself. In fact killing an enemy will not only destroy the killer eventually through cyclical hatred, retaliation, and incarceration, but may make the enemy a martyr and strengthen the enemy cause, or allow it to be replaced by a worse Regime using your violence as justification.
A2.2.6. The consistency and depth of my beliefs that gave rise to my claim can be found in the story of my life. Some of the most relevant details are described in my attached essay called “Ten Conscientious Objections to War: A Peaceful Summary”. The fact that I chose to cut and keep my own hair for 10 years as a Dreadlock Mohawk, despite pressures from mainstream society, and bigoted prejudice from the professional market place, I maintained my own beliefs and fought for them. It was only when I felt there was no way for me to live freely the way I wanted to because of the support of war above education, as evidence by the ridiculous prejudice against hair style, life style, and other indoctrinated judgments which tend to reject employment for those who believe in peaceful individuality and creativity above wartime conformity and intolerance. It is my willingness to sacrifice many of my individual freedoms and liberties to challenge war mongers from within their own system while never surrendering my beliefs, that most conspicuously demonstrates my resolve.
A2.3. Participation in Organizations:
A2.3.1. Applicant was never a member of any other military establishment.
A2.3.2. Applicant is religiously Eclectic Pagan; spiritually Celtic Wiccan; and has been locally involved with several sects including Preachain, The North Shenandoah Valley Pagan Alliance, and others. The applicant has attended and trained at various places, but never submitted to any. Among the most influential groups were the Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Center in Frederick, MD; the Sacred Well Congregation of Lackland AF Base, TX; and the Circle Sanctuary of Wisconsin. The applicant is currently a solitary practitioner and not affiliated with any formal church or group.
A2.3.3. Involvement in Organizations
Educational Organizations:
Montessori Schools: (1) Preschool in Purceville, VA (2) Kindergarten in Harpers Ferry, WV
Private Schools: (1) Claymont Community, WV (2) Banner School in Frederick, MD
Harpers Ferry Montessori School
John G. Bennett (1897-1974) was a British mathematician, scientist, technologist, industrial research director, and author. He is perhaps best known for his many books on psychology and spirituality, and particularly the teachings of G.I. Gurdjieff. Bennett met Gurdjieff, and later helped to co-ordinate the work of Gurdjieff in England after Gurdjieff's arrival in Paris. He also was active in starting the British section of the Subud movement, and many spiritually educational communities like Claymont.
My relationship with these educational organizations is that I have studied under them and worked with them over the years. Activities included attending Montessori preschool and kindergarten, 6th grade at Claymont, 7th & 8th grade at Banner, and further personal studies and collegiate work in relation to them during my adult life. Being a member of the I.O.O.F. (Odd Fellows) has greatly influenced me as well. I have served in various positions including Vice Noble Grand. (see 10 COW).
My relationship with these educational organizations is that I have studied under them and worked with them over the years. Activities included attending Montessori preschool and kindergarten, 6th grade at Claymont, 7th & 8th grade at Banner, and further personal studies and collegiate work in relation to them during my adult life. Being a member of the I.O.O.F. (Odd Fellows) has greatly influenced me as well. I have served in various positions including Vice Noble Grand. (see 10 COW).
Martial Arts Organizations
Mr. Zing’s Karate, Golden Knights, Jeet Kun Do, Weng Chung, Tijitsu, Martial Arts Clubs, Blue Heron Martial & Healing Arts, Tai Chi, Chi Gong (from 5th grade to present day)
Religious Organizations:
Christian Camp Hill Methodist at Harpers Ferry, WV (grade school)
Christian Catholic High School at Saint John’s Literary Institute in Frederick, MD (3 years)
A2.4. References
Stowell Galleries of Harpers Ferry, WV
Museum of the American Middle Class
Websites used for data info: Google.com, Wikipedia.com
Additional Attachments:
4 Letters of Support; E.M., M.R., N.T., M.S.
Essay “Ten Conscientious Objections to War: A Peaceful Summary”
Bibliography (see attached essay “Ten Conscientious Objections to War: A Peaceful Summary”)
Authority: Title 50, App USC, Section 456(j), 10 USC 8013, & Executive Order 9397
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse