Sisters of slain soldier not going back to Iraq

Two soldiers whose sister was killed in a Baghdad ambush havedecided against returning to Iraq, heeding pleas of their parents,the military and Gov. Jim Doyle.

Rachel and Charity Witmer chose instead to ask for noncombat jobsoutside Iraq.

The soldiers said Tuesday they were swayed by Maj. Gen. AlWilkening's request they remain stateside. He feared that if theywent back, the increased attention on their units might put theirfellow soldiers at risk.

"This we will not do," the sisters said in a statement read byfamily friend Joan Apt.

"They wrestled with this enormous decision while under intenseinternational attention," Guard spokesman Lt. Col. Tim Donovan said.

"It is a simple policy but an excruciating decision," Donovansaid, reading a statement from Wilkening, commander of the WisconsinNational Guard.

The Guard is looking for assignments within the state so the womencan fulfill their active duty obligations, Donovan said. The Armywill have final say over where they are stationed.

"It's by far the most difficult decision we have ever made," thewomen said in their statement.

The New Berlin family's ordeal drew nationwide attention after thewomen's father issued an emotional plea to the military to spare hisdaughters from having to return to combat. "I can't live another yearlike I've lived this one," John Witmer said. The women did not attendthe news conference announcing their decision.

Spc. Michelle Witmer, 20, was with the 32nd Military PoliceCompany when she died April 9 in an ambush in Baghdad. Rachel Witmer,24, served in the same unit. Michelle Witmer's twin, Charity, asergeant, was a medic with the Guard's 118th Medical Battalion.

Under Pentagon policy, when a soldier is killed while serving in ahostile area, other family members in the military may request a non-combat assignment.