As many as 6,000 Pennsylvania National Guard troops could be deployed to Iraq this time next year. It's that possible deployment that has an Iraq war combat veteran speaking out against the campaign in Iraq. CBS 21's Ewa Roman has his story.

Paul Abernathy of Iraq Veterans Against the War: “I saw the war as an exploitation of the Iraqi people and Iraqi resources, and the moral problem I had with the war, I couldn't help but be compelled to speak out against the war, I felt obligated to the Iraqi people, as well as the soldiers who took my place."

   Abernathy served with the U.S. Army from 2003-2004, but it wasn't until 2005 that he made the decision to join " Iraq Veterans Against The War."

   The Pittsburgh native says he doesn't consider himself a soldier anymore, instead, he calls himself an anti-war GI.

“I don't think that contradicts my love for the U.S. In any way.”

   Abernathy is speaking out against the war, hoping whoever becomes the next President of the United States brings the troops back instead of sending more of them overseas.

“The fact that they're already planning to deploy 6,000 more PA troops, PA has sacrificed among top of any other state of this country. It doesn't surprise me at all because I believe we intended to have a long term presence in Iraq from the very beginning.”

   Paul is hoping his voice, and other like his, will be heard so that those National Guard troops who are now on alert for deployment will be able to stand-down and stay home.

  March 15th is the five-year anniversary of the war, and on that day, Iraq Veterans Against The War members will testify in Washington, D.C. about what they assert were criminal orders they were sent to carry out. In Lancaster, local members will gather to show their support for those who will be testifying in Washington.