Charles A. Grimmett

1) I am Charles A. Grimmett, a student at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, MI.

2) I have never met Daniel J. Lakemacher, and I have no personal connections to him. I simply read the material he wrote on his website, including his application, and I felt it necessary to write this short note, as I believe his is sincere in his convictions.

3) I am convinced that Daniel J. Lakemacher's belief in the immorality of war is "honest, sincere, and deeply held," because of the immense time, thought, and effort he has put into this application, as well as the courage he has for even attempting to apply for this classification. I have family and friends in the United States military, including the Navy, and I know that matters like this are not taken lightly.

Just by filing to be classified as a Conscious Objector, Daniel Lakemacher has decided to uphold his beliefs in the face of struggles that may come for the rest of his life. In this country, being against war is not a popular thing, despite how the media might portray it. A person who discloses that he is against war faces humiliation, rejection, and alienation from his family and peers, as well as being labeled unpatriotic, un-American, and even a terrorist in some cases.

Not only is Daniel Lakemacher doing what he believes is right in the face of this, but he is taking it a step farther: he is changing his profession and his way of life for his beliefs. Just the thought of ending your career and changing your entire lifestyle is itself enough of a reason for most people to stay in the military, even if their beliefs change. Daniel Lakemacher, however, has stronger beliefs than most objectors. He is willing to change nearly everything he has known for the last several years on account of them, and risk social humiliation and alienation on account of them. Even since he applied a little over 30 days ago, he has faced struggles--in this case with his commanding officers. His deep-seated belief in the immorality of war has kept him going, however, despite these struggles.

Though I do not know him, I believe Daniel J. Lakemacher's belief in the immorality of war is "honest, sincere, and deeply held" on account of the seemingly insurmountable struggles he is willing to face because of it, and the immense amount of time he has put into thinking and writing about these beliefs.

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