CHANTELLE BATEMAN
I was a leader of the Junior ROTC at my high school and signed up for six years with the Marine Corps when I was 18. I served in Al Asad, Iraq with MAG16 Forward from August 2004 - March 2005. I tell people that despite my radical views, I put on my uniform because I believe whole-heartedly in what America is ON PAPER. I no longer believe that we, meaning my brothers and sisters in arms, are fighting and dying for real American values. Both the pride and shame in my country has led me to this place. I am a veteran and I am against the war!
My creative work has been published in Warrior Writers' third anthology, After Action Review, featured in the video, Out of Step, and exhibited at the National Veterans Art Museum in Chicao. I really encourage veterans to every the opportunity to share their stories. I firmly believe that it is the strongest and most compelling weapon we have.
