Supporters welcome him home

For more information: Laurel Albina (206) 419 3811

US Army Interrogator Sgt. Ricky Clousing returns home to Washington State on Saturday, December 23rd after three months in a military prison.

Family, friends and supporters will welcome Sgt. Clousing at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport at 10:15PM on Saturday, December 23rd, Concourse B, Baggage Claim 11. Sgt. Clousing will also be speaking at a reception January 6th at a location to be announced.

On August 11th 2006 , after being AWOL from the military for over 14 months, Sgt. Clousing spoke publicly about what he called "the daily devastation of occupation in Iraq" which led to his decision to leave his unit after completion of his tour in Iraq. He then turned himself over to military custody. On October 11th he was found guilty of AWOL and sentenced to three months in prison.

Sgt. Clousing, a 24 year old Washington native has joined ranks with a number of Iraq veterans who have decided that they can no longer remain silent about the abuses they witnessed in Iraq . Sgt. Clousing's mother, Sharon Pankalla is happy to have her son returning home. "I'm proud of my son and very happy to have him home. He had the courage to stand up for what he believes in. He stood up for peace and justice."

Sergeant Ricky Clousing is available for one-on-one interviews as well as limited speaking engagements. Please contact Laurel Albina for more information. Ricky Clousing's statement as well as pictures and journal entries from Sgt. Clousing's time in Iraq are available at www.sdmcc.org/rickyclousing