Our Voices Together: A Washington DC Fundraiser for a NEW IVAW

This photo journal was sent to me by fellow long time Veterans Advocate and advisor to Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW), Vietnam Veteran Bill Perry.

It is posted in honor and respect of the fact that I strongly believe that the growth and dignity of a younger generation of passionate Veterans is a good thing regardless their political views, Pro-Peace or Pro-War stance. As evident by the diverse of views from Vietnan Veterans and Vietnam Era Veterans, how one views their war is a personal experience with as many conflicting factors as war itself is complex – regardless which war one participated in or sat on the sidelines watching. Just the fact that Veterans of any war did not just sit on the sidelines and watch nor debate as the vast majority of Americans do today are dues paid by all Veterans plus the main thing that relates to all of us that no non-Veteran can ever truly relate to.

A number of young Veteran Organizations have emerged to meet the diverse, complex, and unified needs of their generation much like Vietnam Veterans form diverse groups that emerged to fill a void left of mainstream Veteran Service Organizations back in the day. Today even Vietnam Vets claim of being the largest this or that VSO.

That said, a few of these younger groups are sponsored by mainstream VSOs such as Vietnam Veterans of America, and the VFW with monetary support and advisors, however the theme still remains as the younger veterans prefer INDEPENDENCE from the older established Veterans Organizations.

To mention a few, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Veterans of Modern Warfare, International Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, United States’ Veterans of Iraq & Afghanistan. That said, even Iraq Veterans Against the War get moral support and contributions from Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Veterans for Peace, Veterans Against the Iraq War among other moderate to left of center oriented groups. However, even their focus remains independent of older Veterans groups that have tended to become too politicized. The extremists tend to have foreign policy positions that outweigh veteran support and an imbalance in fund raising efficiency. Meaning they spend more of money donated to them in administration, overhead, advertising, and self recruitment than they do on either membership, Veterans or Troops in general.

Two on line communities have recently formed that tend to be composed of younger Veterans who though members of politically oriented groups have a desire to leave ideological views behind as they spread on-line. In fact, with all younger groups, one will find that their emergence, connectivity, and socializing is done mostly on the NET not some bar and bingo club or the assoicated overhead costs involved. Two such groups are International Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, and United States’ Veterans of Iraq & Afghanistan. Though I haven’t reviewed their blogs in depth, each does have a membership rule that even the slightest pro or anti war sentiments will not be discussed on blog or forums. These organizations are supposedly set up to discuss wartime experiences, the ideological road they take remains to be seen and who really backs them financially.

Speaking of which, tis is the season for YOU who donate to decide which is the most efficient at Supporting Our Troops unless you’ve survived the economic melt down enough to donate to all of them. For those folks among us who have problems reading small print, I suggest selecting the printer-friendly version at RIGHT->

Robert L. Hanafin
Major, U.S. Air Force-Retired
Staff Writer, VT

Have a Great VT Day!

An Evening of Performance in Honor of Iraq/Afghanistan Winter Soldiers
A Washington DC Fundraiser for a "new" IVAW House for Iraq/Afghanistan Vets

DCOI (Directly Confronting the Occupation of Iraq {pronounced DECOY}) organized this Event, Supporting Soldiers, Marines, and Veterans who speak out, & organize against the War & Occupation

NOTE: All photo credits and narrative courtesy of Veteran Advocate Bill Perry, Service Officer, Disabled American Veteran CSO

Gray, the Poet: The amazing SLAM & Spoken Word Phenom

Lily Hughes: Event Organizer, Creator, and Choreographer

Lily’s says: "This event was inspired by my work with Iraq Veterans Against the War, and what I’ve learned from my relationship with these Soldiers and Veterans. These performances are intended to help amplify the stories of these men and women, with the utmost respect, not to tell it for them. This is an offering of support and solidarity, as they struggle to heal, both physically & emotionally, while they care for each other, while organizing to end the Occupation. TOGETHER, WE ARE MOST POWERFUL"

The inspired interpretive dance, chants, and song, by the Dancers, Tech, and Support Staff magnified the intangibles that created the magic.

It’s a rewarding occasion when artistic civilians are on the money with their sympathy, empathy, and respect for Combat Vets, when the artists draw upon their personal relationships with Vets, rather than the usual patronizing, condescending stuff we’re bombarded with.

Marine Sgt Adam Kokesh, and Army Sgt Nick Morgan reflect upon similar experiences as

Marine Corporal Chantelle Bateman relates some of her experiences near al-Asad, Iraq. Corporal Bateman is STILL in the Marine Active Reserves.

Corporal Chantelle Bateman & Sgt Nick Morgan

There’s something very therapeutic and transforming when us War Vets ‘splain little snippets

of our experiences, our University of Maryland, PhD Candidate & Iraq Vet, Amy Baxter, recovered quickly from the subject matter, Amy; a Washington, DC IVAW Sister was deployed from Feb, ’04 thru Feb ’05 @ al-Taquaddem, Iraq, near Fallujah

Additional Audio Recorded Testimony, for the historic Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan, includes the voices of Jason Hurd, Steve Mortillo, Clifton Hicks, Hart Vises, and other Iraq Veterans expressing thier experiences of war. [Available on DVD]

[Neither myself nor any Staff Writer of VT nor VT Administration endorses any fund raising effort, book, or DVD. The link is for reader reference only].

Be Well, RAISE HELL !
Bill Perry 215-945-3350, 215-945-1269
Delaware Valley Veterans For America
Disabled American Veteran, VVAW, VFP, VFW, VVA

http://DelValVets4America.org/

http://www.Arlington-Libertybell.net/

Bill Perry, Service Officer
Disabled American Veteran CSO
Make ANY ERROR in the VA Claims maze,
& you’ll be forced into a 2 year Appeal process
Get Expert Advice, Evaluations, & Treatment

Delaware Valley Vets4America
215-945-1269 215-945-3350

Robert L. Hanafin

Readers are more than welcome to use the articles I’ve posted on Veterans Today, I’ve had to take a break from VT as Veterans Issues and Peace Activism Editor and staff writer due to personal medical reasons in our military family that take away too much time needed to properly express future stories or respond to readers in a timely manner.

My association with VT since its founding in 2004 has been a very rewarding experience for me.

Retired from both the Air Force and Civil Service. Went in the regular Army at 17 during Vietnam (1968), stayed in the Army Reserve to complete my eight year commitment in 1976. Served in Air Defense Artillery, and a Mechanized Infantry Division (4MID) at Fort Carson, Co. Used the GI Bill to go to college, worked full time at the VA, and non-scholarship Air Force 2-Year ROTC program for prior service military. Commissioned in the Air Force in 1977. Served as a Military Intelligence Officer from 1977 to 1994. Upon retirement I entered retail drugstore management training with Safeway Drugs Stores in California. Retail Sales Management was not my cup of tea, so I applied my former U.S. Civil Service status with the VA to get my foot in the door at the Justice Department, and later Department of the Navy retiring with disability from the Civil Service in 2000.

I’ve been with Veterans Today since the site originated. I’m now on the Editorial Board. I was also on the Editorial Board of Our Troops News Ladder another progressive leaning Veterans and Military Family news clearing house.

I remain married for over 45 years. I am both a Vietnam Era and Gulf War Veteran. I served on Okinawa and Fort Carson, Colorado during Vietnam and in the Office of the Air Force Inspector General at Norton AFB, CA during Desert Storm. I retired from the Air Force in 1994 having worked on the Air Staff and Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon.