Back in our day, from January 31-February 2, 1971, an Extremely Important Event took place by a number of Extremely Brave Vietnam Vets, that challenged the morality and conduct of the war by showing the direct relationship between military policies and war crimes in Vietnam!
Members of Iraq Veterans Against the War are re-igniting a popular Vietnam War Investitagion called the Winter Soldier Campaign. In 1971, members of Vietnam Veterans Against the War gathered in Detroit, Michigan to share their horrors of Vietnam.
The courage of those 125+ veterans speaking out has sparked today's veterans to do the same,. March 13 - 15, 2008, members of Iraq Veterans Against the War will be gathering in Washington D.C, along with Iraqi and Afghan survivors, to share their stories about the atrocities happening in today's wars.
Show your Support for IVAW's action, also challenging the morality and conduct of their present day War, be you a Veteran or never served, by signing their Statement of Support!
If you are a Veteran of the Iraq or Afganistan Theaters, and you would like to participate in the IVAW 'Winter Soldier Campaign of 2008, use the link above to tell your story and your wishes!
And:
Ending the war begins with YOU!
HELP END THIS WAR - BOYCOTT YOUR WAR TAX
Over $1.6 trillion has been spent on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan . Wonder where all that money comes from? YOU!
Every person who pays federal taxes in the United States contributes to the war machine. This year, the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee is reaching out to average citizens to encourage them to join ranks of war tax resisters.
War tax resistance is not new. The first signs of tax resistance dates back to 1637. It wasn't until the Vietnam War that this form of resistance grew and over the last four years it has gained in popularity as a way for people to take direct action to end the war.
Veterans For Peacehas joined the effort to encourage people to take action. Individuals can start with small amounts such as $10, $50, $100 or a percentage amount (7% of would cover the amount spent this year on the war in Iraq and Afghanistan ). War tax resistance doesn't mean you don't pay your federal taxes, it simply means that the money is redirected into campaigns or projects that you feel government services should be focusing on.
This year's campaigns include Direct Aid Initiative which provides health care initiatives to Iraqi refugees in Syria and Jordan and to the Common Ground Collective Health Clinic that provided immediate care to the people of New Orleans following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Do I blame these two, For not being able to stop the funding of this extremely damaging debacle, not completely.
But I do wonder Why they, and many others, are not putting those who place an R after their names into complete Shame, letting them carry on the Obstructionist policies after loosing their Majority. That Majority rule gave everything wanted to this administration when they held the reigns. Now we've been finding out exactly what they weren't doing, Investigating the Care givin to the returning maimed Military Personal, Investigating the actions our paid Mercenaries, who by those actions were putting our Military Troops into further danger and endangering our National Security, paid with No Bid contracts in our own Blood Money. And the list is just plain to long to list it all on what they weren't doing!
And speaking of those 'R's', when they try to explain just how ducky everything is now over in the Wars, especially Iraq, have them visit this report Iraqi Ethnic Tensions Stoke Insurgency in Mosul, from todays NPR Morning Edition. Let them listen and read what those Actually In Iraq are experiancing!
Now a request from our brother and sister VFP Members:
Please SUPPORT THE VETERANS DAY 18
Members of Eastern MA , Smedley Butler Chapter were given strict rules for participating in the Boston Veterans Day Parade. Being forced to march after the end of the parade, and being limited to no speaking or signage, members of chapter 009 took matters into their own hands. While they did march after the end of the parade, they marched with their US Flags upside down. When the parade ended and people were getting ready to speak on stage, 18 members of VFP stood with their mouths gagged, in full VFP gear and signs that read, "American Legion SILENCES messages of peace from veterans." They were arrested and arraigned on charges of disturbing a public assembly.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP? Supporters are encouraged to write, call, fax, and email the Mayor of Boston, Tom Menino.
Phone: 617.635.4500 Fax: 617.635.2851 Email: mayor@cityofboston.gov Write: Mayor Thomas Menino Mayor's Office 1 City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 02201
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — A soldier who served two combat tours in Iraq was arrested Wednesday for leaving the Army without permission more than a year ago to seek treatment for post traumatic stress disorder.
Snip
Tod Ensign, an attorney with Citizen Soldier, a GI rights group that is representing Gaskins, said the case is part of a "coming tsunami" of mental health problems involving Iraq and Afghanistan vets.
The "tsunami" is already here and growing, explained further after initial article on the sarge.
Last month, the Veterans Administration said more than 100,000 soldiers were being treated for mental health problems, and half of those specifically for PTSD.
That's only part of the story, those are the numbers, as stated, being treated.
An eight-year Army veteran, Gaskins served two tours in Iraq and a peacekeeping tour in Kosovo. He said his mental health began deteriorating during his second tour in Iraq, which began in June 2005, when his job was to conduct road searches and locate improvised explosive devices.
He said after returning to Fort Drum in February 2006, he began suffering flashbacks and nightmares, headaches, sleeplessness, weight loss and mood swings that took him from depression to irrational rages. Military doctors sent him to the Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, where he spent two weeks and was diagnosed with PTSD. When he later asked his commanders about returning to Samaritan, they told him it would delay any chance he had at obtaining a medical release, Gaskins said.
At the time, the Fort Drum mental health facility had a staff of a dozen caring for approximately 17,000 troops, Ensign said.
A dozen in staff caring for 17,000, again only part of the story.
PTSD a growing problem for the military
Just as his press conference about his mental illness was coming to an end Sergeant Brad Gaskins was arrested. When Gaskins asked what he did wrong an officer responded "you're a deserter".
Now lets get to even more about what is going on here and the Why? Sgt Gaskins took it on himself to go AWOL searching for care not given by the Military, with their Huge Defense Budgets, nor the Society, with their magnetic "Support" ribbons and their Representatives, especially the R's, who didn't forsee this "tsunami" coming. Giving everything wanted to the administration rushing to invasion but giving little to those sent to invade!
Those that follow the reports, on PTSD, aired on NPR Radio, know well those reported by Daniel Zwerdling, well he's got another updated report today, 11-15-07.
New Pentagon figures released to NPR show that since the United States invaded Iraq, officers have kicked out far more troops for having behavior issues that are potentially linked to post-traumatic stress disorder than they did before the war.
Snip
NPR has reported that servicemen and women who come home with serious mental-health problems, such as PTSD, often can't get the medical treatment they need.
And some commanders, in fact, have kicked troubled troops out of the military instead of trying to help them.
Snip
We've heard the reports now Zwerdling has the Army Report, once again Army report, the Marines never got back to him on his request.
Rise in Personality Disorder and Misconduct Dismissals
an Army chart, which NPR recently received, shows that since the United States invaded Iraq:
— Commanders have discharged almost 20 percent more soldiers for "misconduct" than they did in the same period before the war;
— Commanders have discharged more than twice as many soldiers for "drug abuse" (a subset of the "misconduct" category);
— Commanders have discharged almost 40 percent more soldiers for "personality disorder."
In all, the Army has kicked out more than 28,000 soldiers since the war in Iraq began on the grounds of personality disorder and misconduct.
Those statistics "trouble me," says Stephen Xenakis, a psychiatrist and retired brigadier general who used to help run the Army medical system.
"It raises questions," he says. "Are we doing the right thing by the soldiers?"
Behaviors Linked to PTSD
"That's exactly how those problems would show up," Xenakis says. "Drinking, drugs … (the soldiers) medicate themselves. They say 'Why should I keep my uniform all starched and neat when I just buried two of my buddies?'"
Yet, the troops NPR has interviewed had trouble getting intensive medical treatment. Instead, their commanders discharged them for "misconduct," which means the soldiers lost some or all of their military benefits.
Booted out of sight out of mind and back into the society unawares of how troubled some of these military personal are nor how self destructive they may become!
Shay says that when the military diagnoses soldiers with personality disorder, it is saying, in effect, that fighting in the war didn't cause their mental health problems.
"It's saying, in essence, you're rotten and have been rotten since childhood," he says.
And those who Support what is going on, and a Congress Unwilling to Stop it nor hold those Responsible for creating, once again, a National Tragedy, are telling these troops the exact same thing!
Avoiding Paying Disability Benefits?
"It troubles me that it appears that sometimes, mental-health professionals are ready to be the willing servants of the command," Shay says.
He worries that military doctors are telling commanders, in effect, "'If you want me to get this kid out quickly, I'll do it. It doesn't matter how much I have to bend my own conscience or bend the facts to do it.'"
It isn't only the mental health professionals, what this Shays says above falls More on the Civilian and Military leadership, and This Whole Damn Country, who Are Totally Responsible for their Apathy and Self Centered Ideologies!!
Last night, 11-13-2007, CBS News had an Exclusive Report on Returning Iraq and Afganistan Veterans who committed Suicides, it was a stunning report, and once again showed the Lessons of 'Nam Not Learned, by an Apathedic, Flag Waving, War Cheering, America!
Below you will find four of the Video's, from CBS, on this report, the links, repeated after each, will give you Much More if you visit the CBS News Site.
CBS has just released some of those numbers: "At least 120 Americans who served in the U.S. military killed themselves per week in 2005, CBS News learned in a five-month investigation into veteran suicides. That's 6,256 veteran suicides in one year, in 45 states.
After witnessing the carnage and bloodshed of war, many veterans return home with mental problems that place them at high risk of suicide. Armen Keteyian reports.
"Only On The Web": Paul Sullivan of Veterans for Common Sense tells Armen Keteyian that the No. 1 problem facing vets of Afghanistan and Iraq will be mental health
November 14 , 2007 RealAudio | MP3: Twenty percent of active duty soldiers and 40 percent of reservists need mental health services after serving in Iraq, according to a new study. Soldiers are also more likely to report problems months after returning home. NewsHour Health correspondent Susan Dentzer discusses the report.
The Globe followed, "New England's Own", for a year after their return. The article and three video's are the results of what these Marines have experianced since returning.
For us 'Nam Vets it's like looking into a mirror of the present, showing the past, we've been here before.
This Country has Once Again Failed to hold it's Side of the Contracts Signed, to serve and defend this Nation, by those who join it's Military Forces!
Maybe it's because, like 'Nam, those serving aren't Defending but Occupying another small country thousands of miles away, than again maybe not, for it seems the other 99%plus just plain don't want to Sacrifice a Damn Thing, while giving lip service and slogans, as others fight their their Wars of Choice so they can cheer like it's a Sporting Event or Video Game!
The parents of Eric Valdepenas, one of "New England's Own" killed in Iraq, visited his grave in East Providence, R.I.
The 878 men who came home have struggled to come to terms with the fact that 11 did not; that 68 others, like Murray, suffered combat wounds; and that many more were hit with injuries less visible but with long-term effects, like bomb-blast concussions.
It is as if they all shared in those losses, and, in a real sense, most did. A Globe survey of more than 130 members of the battalion found that nearly 60 percent report one or more symptoms of war trauma - anger, depression, nightmares, hypervigilance - even if they have not been diagnosed with the disorder.
Many hasten to add that they are doing just fine, picking up life right where they left off. It is, in the main, a proud, resilient group, not much given to complaint. Service, most say, changed them irrevocably, and for the better.
But fully half say the transition back to civilian life has been hard. Money, for some, is tight, relationships with loved ones bruised, frustration with the government veterans bureaucracy real and growing. Reserve units like theirs have, in particular, reported problems with medical screenings for brain injuries.
Below are links to the short video's that accompany the article, but you'd be better served if you took a trip to the site and read this article.
There is also a powerful consensus that while most of their neighbors appreciate their service, civilians don't quite get it. A sense of isolation grows out of that, particularly in New England, where military bases are few and hostility to the war runs high. more stories like this
More than a few of the Marines have doubts about this war, too. But their focus is on their duty - and on getting well, or helping others to do so. In that, members of the battalion report some ringing successes but also some shameful failures as the nation delivers, unevenly, on its pledge to care for those wounded in service.
Visit the link above to read the rest, than you can return and see another coming out of Boston from 11-12-07 in the Boston NOW paper.
James Blake Miller went to work at a motorcycle repair shop whose owner presides over the local chapter of a motorcycle club.
Rescue operation aims to save a wounded warrior
Despite concerns of overstepping, Times photographer Luis Sinco feels compelled to help the Iraq vet he made famous. By Luis Sinco : times staff photographer, Second of two parts November 12, 2007
James blake miller was in a world of pain, and I figured I should be by his side.
A veterans' treatment program in West Haven, Conn. -- arguably the best in the nation -- offered hope. Moe Armstrong, a pioneer in vet-to-vet counseling, had heard of the Marlboro Marine's troubles and sent him feelers about coming for a visit. Despite my reservations about getting too involved, I had flown from Los Angeles to Kentucky to help Miller grab this lifeline. I coaxed him into my rental car and we headed north.
I questioned myself. Was this the right thing to do? For Miller, yes. But for me? What awaited us at the end of this journey? I caught Miller's eyes reflected in the rearview mirror, droopy and lifeless. He hadn't slept well, and a long road led from his home in the Appalachian coal country to New England.
This is the photo that made Marine Lance Cpl. James Blake Miller -- the 'Marlboro Marine' -- famous.
Timesphotographer Luis Sinco made James Blake Miller an emblem of the war.The image would change both of their lives and connect them in ways neither imagined. By Luis Sinco, Times Staff Photographer, First of two parts November 11, 2007 The young marine lighted a cigarette and let it dangle. White smoke wafted around his helmet. His face was smeared with war paint. Blood trickled from his right ear and the bridge of his nose.
Momentarily deafened by cannon blasts, he didn't know the shooting had stopped. He stared at the sunrise.
His expression caught my eye. To me, it said: terrified, exhausted and glad just to be alive. I recognized that look because that's how I felt too.
I raised my camera and snapped a few shots.
With the click of a shutter, Marine Lance Cpl. James Blake Miller, a country boy from Kentucky, became an emblem of the war in Iraq. The resulting image would change two lives -- his and mine.
Well once again it's 'Veterans Day', I'll borrow a description of another holiday that really has lost it's meaning, Bah - Humbug!!
Lets take a look at how a Country "Supports it's Veterans", a Country of citizens whose greater majority never serve in it's Military, a majority who never do much of anything of service to Country, a majority who don't even bother to Vote, and a majority who readily bitch about paying their contribution to it's Society, not about how that money is spent just that they have to Contribute.
Huge Defense Budgets means a Strong National Defense! At least one political party takes that Mocho stance.
Do the citizens question where those Huge Budgets actually go, Nope, they believe what they're told and most certainly don't want to hear where it's not going, where it's actually needed, that would mean they'd have to contribute more because they're not worried about the corruption engrained in the systems already.
They readily cheer on their War's, like they're Sporting Events, believing all the false reasons given in waging them.
I have yet to hear, from any we hire into our Societies leadership, say that the Tens of Thousands of us, out of some 300miliion plus population, belonging to the "Focus Groups", had it All Right and that they had it All Wrong about the present Debacles!
But it's "Veterans Day", Non - Political{?}, lets go to a Parade and "Support Our Troops and Veterans", than we can put them, once again till next year, out of site and out of mind!
The subject title comes from this Article of which has this sub-title:
HOLIDAY: Most in attendance support panel's decision to bar anti-war groups.
This isn't an isolated event, this happened in small towns to large cities across this country, and does so every year. Why?, because the excuse given in all these cases is we can't have a Parade, for Military Troops and Military Veterans, who are making a Political{?} Statement!
Veterans for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War and Military Families Speak Out said their First Amendment rights were violated when the parade committee, a nonprofit organization, rejected their application.
Organizers have said the groups were trying to push a political agenda at an event that's supposed to be free from politics.
Although they weren't allowed to march this year, Jason Lemieux, a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War, said members came anyway to support the veterans.
"We came out today in the spirit of Veterans Day," said Lemieux, a Marine who served three tours in Iraq.
Jason Lemieux Testifies at the Long Beach City Council
What Political{?} statement would be made from the 'Iraq Veterans Against the War', why they might just be wearing their tee-shirts stating who they are and maybe a banner will be carried, some of their members having served Multiple Tours probably in both present Theaters! 'Veterans for Peace', members of conflicts from WWII till the Present, might just be doing same, tee's and caps, maybe a VFP flag or two and possibly also a banner. The same for 'Military Families Speak Out', who's Sons and Daughters this Country sends into battles, some having lost a Son or Daughter to the canage of War based on Lies.
But lets see the reasons given by the organizing committees on why the ban of Veterans and Military Family Members:
Fred Dunn, an 84-year-old World War II vet who was born and raised in Long Beach, said the anti-war groups should march in their own parade.
"This is to honor the veterans who have served," he said. "It's not a political deal."
Political Statement?
"Don't rain on our parade," said Shirley Oglesby, whose husband Jack served in Vietnam. "We don't want war either. But here is not the time nor place."
Political Statement?
"I wonder what the men who died would think if they allowed protestors to march," Jack Oglesby said.
Political Statement?
{Ahhhhh Jack, most would probably rather be Alive!}
"I'm against the war in Iraq too," said Sasha Kilauren, who served in the U.S. Navy during the Cold War. "But these groups shouldn't be allowed to march in this type of parade. It's inappropriate."
Political Statement?
{Lets see, 'This Type of Parade', a Parade for Veterans of Conflicts and Military Families would be "Inappropriate", gotcha Sasha, thanks for your input!}
Vet George Kerr, 65, said seeing the anti-war groups on Saturday was reminiscent of the atmosphere in 1967 when he returned home from Vietnam.
"I was kicked and spit on," he said. "But it's OK. That's what we went to war for. So people could have their rights."
Very Political Statement?
{Right George, I've yet to meet a fellow 'Nam Vet who can Prove they were physically Spit On, oh and adding 'Kicked' also a New twist to the false fables, but figuratively it's Alright for you to 'Spit On' fellow Veterans and Military Families!}
Now there was also a previous article about the coming parade where a few thoughts were expressed:
“They do not fit the spirit of the parade,” she said. “The spirit being one of gratitude for what the veterans have done. We do not want groups of a political nature, advocating the troops’ withdrawal from Iraq.”
Talk About A Political Statement!
Thuente said Veterans for Homeless Veteranswas allowed to march last year because parade coordinators did not fully check the group’s application. “Perhaps if we had checked out their agenda, they would not have been allowed,” she said. “We didn’t realize they had marched until after the parade.”
Gee Now That's A Political Statement, Ya Think!
“These veterans groups certainly have First Amendment rights,” Shannon said. “But the parade committee also has the First Amendment right to exclude whoever they wish if (the entry) does not keep within the theme.”
Hmmmm, Theme? Veterans and Military Families don't fit the 'Theme' of a Veterans Day Parade? Political Statement!
The city provides the staffing, flags, banners, utilities and police protection, Shannon said, but does not play any role in the approval of parade participants.
“The fact that the city does provide staff is a disconnect,” Shannon said.
As Thomas, over atThe Military Project/GI Specialputs it, "No shit. That’s public tax money being used to keep Veterans they don’t like out of march.
“They voted unanimously to exclude a group, believing it had a political agenda,” said Lerch, whose 9th District includes the parade route. “And I agree with the board’s actions. For 11 years, this has been a parade to honor and support this nation.”
Wow another Political Statement and from a Pol!
Once again, this isn't an isolated incident, it happens across this country, small to large villages, towns, cities!
What happens to a huge number of Veterans who serve this Country, how about this:
Yesterday I put up a post on my site, and a few other boards, titled 'PTSD - Katrina, Combat Theater Vets, Psychologist Who Developed It Herself'. This covered two NPR interviews with further information of both. At the bottom I had the following links:
Here are just a few of the recent reports, articles, and studies on PTSD as well as Traumatic Brain Injuries:
Today, we are proud to release a ground-breaking report on the challenges facing our wounded warriors who are suffering from the “signature wounds” of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and psychological trauma.
Having visited every single demobilization site in the United States and overseas, Veterans For America investigators found that care for these injuries is significantly lacking and that the decisions made by the military will negatively impact our veterans for the rest of their lives.
There are many many more of these trickling out. But who is really paying attention to them, in a Society that seems to be, once again, Apathedic about a Combat Theater, two actually, that sent our Military in to destroy and be destroyed.
This Society gives more credance to it's stars and starlets than it does to those who serve in it's Military, which makes up an extremely small percentage of the whole!
As this Veteran says "Happy Veterans Day, NOT!"
So enjoy the Parades, banning many Veterans from participating! Enjoy the day off tomorrow, especially if you work a government job, most not being Veterans!
For we always have Next Year to once again "Honor Our Troops and Veterans" as their numbers of Homeless and Maimed Grow!
If they were sent to fight, they are too few. If they were sent to die, they are too many!
Is 'Funding' Really For Troops?
What Happened To Funding and Oversite For Military/Veteran Care In Previous Congresses?
