(Cross posted at Hillbilly Report)
A press conference was held today just outside of Fort Knox Kentucky for PFC James Burmeister, but the press didn't show up, just a lowly blogger with a video camera. The Hardin County News Enterprise, for what ever reason didn't bother to attend the press conference, who knows maybe they don't work on Saturdays, or could it be they just don't give a shit about folks like PFC James Burmeister? The Louisville Courier-Journal didn't attend the press conference, but to their credit they did have an article about PFC James Burmeister today.
The local TV stations WHAS, WLKY and WAVE were noticeably absent.
PFC James Burmeister, I was told upon the advice of his attorney, didn't attend the press conference, but his mother Helen Burmeister traveled all the way from Oregon to speak and stand up for her son.
James Burmeister was injured in Baghdad when his humvee was caught in an IED explosion. Along with the physical wounds from this attack, James suffers from PTSD as a result of his combat missions, which included providing cover fire for "bait and kill" teams. After being diagnosed with PTSD and possible traumatic brain injury, James went AWOL, moving to Canada rather than face another deployment. In March of 2008, he decided to return to the US and turned himself in to the Army at Fort Knox.
Last week the Army decided to charge PCF James Burmeister with desertion. James will face a Special Court-Martial, a bad conduct discharge (which would prohibit him from having access to any medical benefits or otherwise for the rest of his life), and up to 12 months of prison. The date of James' court martial is expected to be set next week.