WASHINGTON (AFP) — Matthis Chiroux is the kind of young American US military recruiters love

from a poor, white family from the south, and I did badly in school

"I was 'filet mignon' for recruiters. They started phoning me when I was in 10th grade," or around 16 years old

I stand before you today with the strength and clarity and resolve to declare to the military, my government and the world that this soldier will not be deploying to Iraq,

My decision is based on my desire to no longer continue violating my core values to support an illegal and unconstitutional occupation... I refuse to participate in the Iraq occupation

Chiroux had cried openly as he listened to former comrades-in-arms testify before members of Congress about the failings of the Iraq war.

I cannot deploy to Iraq, carry a weapon and not be part of the problem

thousands of US soldiers who have deserted since the Iraq war began in 2003

Many deserters

seek refuge in Canada.