Winter Soldier Media Blackout: The public begins to respond...

Editors Note: This letter to the Washington Post editor was forwarded out on the VVAW contact list for all to see, because the author believed that it would never make it into the Post Letter's to the Editor, due to their editorial stance of marginalizing the Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan hearings at the National labor College in Silver Springs, Maryland, this past week-end, March 13th thru 16th. WH

My letter to the Washington Post, 3/17/2008:
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I don't know why I even bother to write this. For some reason I keep expecting more from the Post, even though I know you have been marginalizing opposition to the Iraq war since before it began.
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I was grateful for Steve Vogel's Saturday coverage of the four-day Winter Soldier hearings, tucked into the Metro section as local news even although it is a national conference. Antiwar demonstrations are also relegated to the Metro section, even when hundreds of thousands of people have flocked to their nation's capitol from all over the country. (Are these articles only included in the District edition, or do Virginia and Maryland readers get them, too?
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Opening the paper this morning, I had hoped to see some of the Winter Soldier testimony, which provides some of the starkest factual information and critical analysis of the situation in Iraq to date. (Fortunately I can listen to the proceedings on my computer because Pacifica Radio is covering the conference.) What I see instead is an article--in the front section of the paper--about the pro-war demonstration on the Mall. It will be interesting to see where coverage of this week's upcoming anti-war demonstrations end up.

Let me add this: You treat protest and demonstrations as news, which I suppose they are. But the Winter Soldier conference is not news--it is a source of information that the American people desperately need in order to have informed opinions and make informed judgments about their
government's illegal occupation of another country.
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The Post has a responsibility to provide this information to its readership. Otherwise, you enable this administration to continue lying to Americans about the occupation of Iraq.
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Helen Schietinger
Washington, DC 20011

www.vetspeak.org

Long Beach Veterans Day Parade: After Action Report

Anti-war marchers allowed in parade

L.B.: War protest groups banned from last year's Veterans Day event will be able to participate this year, organizers say.

By Kelly Puente
Staff Writer

Article Launched: 03/16/2008 09:56:10 PM PDT

Editor's Note: This is the follow-up to an article we published on 11/20/07, which was the impetus for the challenges subsequently made to the Long Beach City Council; grassroots actions that ultimately changed the Long Beach Council's position regarding this topic. A position that the Council have held since they denied our 1973 SoCal VVAW contingent authorization to march. An incident that backfired on them then, as well. We went ahead and marched behind the street sweepers, and the crowds gave our contingent many tears, cheers, and standing Os, as our raggedy but right contingent proudly passed before them along the route, trailing the street sweepers. No one left the parade route until we had passed by them to deafening cheers. Some of the same folks that were together then, were together again for this battle, were together, yet again, in Silver Springs, Maryland, at the Natonal Labor College , for the presentation of Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan. Their efforts on all fronts are proof that grass-roots coalition involvement can effectively win hearts and minds, and change the way that all levels of our government do business. I am publishing this article here, in it's entirety, with full accreditation, because VetSpeak was involved from the initiation of this action, and because the mainstream media rarely hails the Peoples' victories. WH.

LONG BEACH - Three anti-war groups who were banned from marching in the Long Beach Veterans Day Parade last year will be allowed to take part in this year's parade, organizers said Sunday.

Veterans for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War and Military Families Speak Out were prohibited from marching last November because organizers said they didn't fit the spirit of the parade. The act sparked an emotional city-wide debate.

But after careful consideration, parade coordinator Martha Thuente said organizers and the groups finally reached an agreement last month.

She said the groups will be allowed to hold one banner each, but cannot make any political statements or pass out pamphlets.

They can wear their T-shirts but are "encouraged to wear their uniforms, which makes more of a statement," Thuente said. The event takes place along Atlantic Avenue in North Long Beach.

They will also be required to submit their parade applications separately. Last year, the three groups submitted one application under the name "Military Patriots."

Councilman Val Lerch, a member of the parade committee, said the application was unanimously rejected because organizers feared the group wanted to raise political issues at a parade meant to honor veterans.

Since they've reached an agreement, Lerch on Sunday said the groups can even ride a vehicle in the 12th annual parade on Nov. 8

"If they come in a Humvee, they're more than welcome," he said. "Just as long as they agree not to make a political statement."

Pat Alviso of Military Families Speak Out, an organization of people opposed to the war in Iraq who have relatives or loved ones in the military, said group members are happy and relieved after putting in more than three months of work.
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Alviso said they have always supported the troops. Her son, Beto Alviso, is a gunnery sergeant in the Marines and has served two tours of duty in Iraq. He may be deployed to Afghanistan by the end of this year, she said. "You can support the troops but not the war," Alviso said. "There's a few of the old-timers who still do not get that."

Although they were banned from marching, more than 25 members from all three groups attended the parade anyway, standing peacefully and cheering for the veterans.

Alviso thinks their positive behavior had an influence on the organizers' decision.

"We do not want to make this parade anything more than a parade to celebrate and honor those who have served this country," she said.

Jason Lemieux, a Marine who served three tours of duty in Iraq and is now a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War, was one of several veterans who stood on the sidelines last year.

"It feels like I've been betrayed by the very people I fought to serve," he told the Press-Telegram in November.

Lemieux, an Anaheim resident, was one of hundreds of soldiers and Marines to testify in the "Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan" anti-war conference that took place Thursday through Sunday at the National Labor College in Silver Spring, Md.

There he said he testified on atrocities he witnessed in Iraq and called for an immediate withdrawal of troops.

Reached by phone on Sunday, Lemieux praised parade organizers for "making the right decision" and hopes to march this year.

"I think it's exactly what they should have done right from the beginning," he said.

kelly.puente@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1305

www.VetSpeak.org

Winter Soldiers Speaking Truth To Power

The Whole World Is Watching... Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan

By

Billy X. Curmano

Billy X. is a VetSpeak.org contributor who attended WS: Iraq & Afghanistan as part of our 12 person contingent of contributors and support personnel who attended this historically epic in order to cover it for VetSpeak, and also to serve as VVAW front gate security for the event.

I recently returned from the Iraq veterans Against the War (IVAW) Winter Soldier Iraq Afghanistan Testimonies (March 13-16) at the National Labor College near Washington D.C.

Because of my role on security, I could not attend all of the sessions. However, I was most impressed with the overall professionalism and dedication for the event. Our security team worked closely with the Labor College Security and Maryland Police to assure a safe and peaceful 4 days. Counter demonstrators and crazies were kept well away.

One disruptor with false credentials was able to utter only one sentence before being carried out and turned over to the police. Eyewitnesses said he was out in about 8 seconds. A couple of journalists with a disruptive style were escorted out. I personally was able to politely turn away a gentleman wanting to expose the KGB brain probes installed in Brittney Spears and George W. Bush. The more obnoxious and well financed Gathering of Eagles had made threats and promised hundreds of counter-demonstrators. In reality, they couldn't even fill their bus. Their SUV and a few of their bolder followers were turned away at the main gate.

Inside, veterans of the occupation testified to what they had witnessed. A special IVAW teamed screened all testifiers for authenticity and proof of service. Health care providers, counselors and lawyers were on hand to ease the testifiers through their often highly emotional state. Another level of bonding with peers, older combat vets, peace activists and, of course, Resistance the therapy dog also helped keep Post traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at bay. Unfortunately, as a Vietnam Veteran that has also testified to the barbaric culture of war, I know that their stress has not been exorcised.

As soldiers, we sign an oath to protect the constitution of the United States from all its enemies - not to follow blindly behind the president. The current administration has taken more liberties with this document than any in recent memory. Their policies have created a freshly disillusioned generation. Wars built on lies cause patriotic young people to question authority. Bonding together, they create their own new and vibrant culture with new music, art, films, books and poetry. Pay attention - Don't miss out.

My biggest regret while working the historic event was knowing much of the American media would ignore these brave young men and women. Film makers and news outlets from around the globe were there. The whole world was watching. The London Times covered it, but where was the New York Times? If you are a news outlet, please help America take our blinders off.

Supporting the troops is not driving around in an SUV with a magnetic yellow ribbon. It's listening to their concerns and acting upon them. It is still possible to view streamed video and hear testimonies on the web through http://ivaw.org Audio has been cataloged and archived by KPFA Radio at http://www.warcomeshome.org

Peace Out…

www.VetSpeak.org

Winter Soldier Reflections

Sitting in on the Winter Soldier Investigation
By
Alex Primm
Alex is VetSpeak.org contributor who testified at VVAW WSI, Detroit, 1971, and joined us at WS: Iraq & Afghanistan to observe and to write about the event from a Past Winter Soldier perspective, and to serve on our front gate security group at the site, the George Meany College of Labor, in Silver Springs, Maryland, with his wife Cathy at his side, and in the company of 10 other VetSpeak contributors and supporters who also attended.

Friday, 14.3.08 noon

I'm silent as an hoot owl on the roost in this ample auditorium with some 500+ other diverse citizens... young, old and not many in between... angry, freaked out... aging vets and peaceniks... my people... I feel more comfortable here than anywhere... no one passive, everyone silent and respectful.

We're listening to the Iraq war vets. I've been given a few minutes leave from guard duty by the front gate at the National Labor College where the Winter Soldier Hearings 2 are going on. I can't seem to leave... there is no break from the testimony where I can easily get up and get back to checking people, so I take notes on the Apple and let thoughts stream through me.

A couple is talking about their son... what they say reminds me of one of our foster daughters... not easy stuff to listen to... but riveting.

Nightmares. The son I knew fell apart. Panic attacks. Unable to focus. Balance is compromised. A tree picked from behind the house. PTSD. "Come in to see a therapist as soon as possible. He did. Six employees to get him down and hold him there." Hanging, suffocation or overdose. Should take away the knives and that hose. Or one of these, but outside the house. Three phone calls.

Why should I take the call? Why should I listen? How is it possible not to listen? A mother's words demand involuntarily commitment.

A song now makes sense... this testimony has become unquestionably powerful, so in some ways I'm just as glad the words are not coming thru... how much longer can I sit here... should be back by the gate soon to check out people who might be trying to disrupt these hearings.

I'm just as glad the lights are bright, and for the people who read from prepared texts to track an untimely death. Many deaths... mostly Iraqi, just like we did the Vietnamese... Haji... Gook...

This way hidden wounds can be seen. A suicide will not happen here now. Just grief. A woman leaves weeping. A sister, a mother? Why aren't we all weeping and storming the White House to bring that jerk to justice?

We find ourselves forced into ourselves, alone. But we are not left behind, just sickened... silent... weak... the frail spirit exhausted by this disease of death.

Even this hard chair feels good on my sore butt. It is something real and physical, it is mine and alive. I will not kill myself.

No pain could equal the lone tree and the names of so many more. We are not the only family, the only Gold War Family.

No funds, no staff, no support, so he is ignored. Each story worse than the last.

Even one from Missouri to end things... home from the war a few weeks... nothing helping... no doc can reach him... rampaged in the house last night so the sheriff had to come out... he's he jail now... they are going to charge him... that's all they know to do... keep him in jail... charge him... he's gone crazy.

It's over... time to go back and try to talk to my fellow vets about the past when we were young and crazy with our own senseless war. It still rots within so many souls... so many families... the sacrifice of youth for almost nothing.

www.VetSpeak.org

Truckin' To Winter Soldier:

Truckin’ to D.C.

By

Alex Primm

Alex testified at VVAW Winter Soldier Investigation in 1971, and is a Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan on-site correspondent for VetSpeak.org.

Tuesday, 11 March 3 p.m.

Finally we’re on the road, just when gas prices reach a new American record. I’m typing away on the Apple as Cathy drives. I have some things burning to be said.

Gas isn’t really a surprise to Jack, as I’ll call him, a young veteran I talked with yesterday. You’ll see Jack around the county. He’s got a cool new business…

A pushcart. Yes, chrome and everything, reportedly…

Jack’s selling hot dogs and related New York-style deli food. He takes the cart to a local factory then to Big Lots later in the day.

We talked in the Giddy Goat coffee-shop, it wasn’t a good time to meet. I was in the middle of getting ready for this trip and Jack was cooking up a business deal.

He was a student in the last Political Science class I had at East Central College, one of the better students.

“I did eight years active duty as a Marine,” Jack said. “I was seriously thinking about re-upping for another time. But my second tour in Iraq made me think twice,” he said or something to that effect… normally I show articles to people I interview before they are published – for accuracy. In this case, I won’t be able to do that. I don’t have Jack’s e-mail. But I trust myself and Jack enough to know that he will be comfortable with what’s written here.

Jack didn’t hold it over anyone that he was 10 years older and 100 times more experienced than most of the kids – and maybe his instructor too…

Wow, just passed a row of blooming jonquils in woods along U.S. 60 outside Paducah, the first we’ve seen this year. Cath says, “Let’s get out the veggies, I need a break….”

She’s listening to a Nero Wolff mystery… I don’t need a break…I’m glad to have this chance to write… we just passed the Paducah Information Age Industrial Park, which is right across the highway from the Blandville Executive Estates or something like that… America, where everything is possible.

Jack is like that. He did everything right... he went to Afghanistan right after 9.11... chased Bin Laden in the mountains… then later to two deployments in Iraq.

But first he was sent to New York, Ground Zero, a few hours after the towers came down. He was a trained Marine firefighter and spent weeks working cleaning debris that was still burning when he arrived.

"They told me not to wear a mask of any kind,” Jack said. “Don’t worry about the air quality. I know now that was wrong, totally wrong.”

VA doctors have told Jack he has boron-tungsten fibers in his lungs. Unlike other particles he may have inhaled, the boron-tungsten won’t ever come out and it cuts through his lung tissue slowly and steadily. He has lost roughly a third of his breathing capacity and loses a few percent more every year when he is tested. Partial payments for service-connected disabilities help , but it is not enough.

Jack worries whether he will be here to see his young son reach high school. He also wonders why he and all those he served with were sent to Iraq. In his gut he feels it was to keep gasoline prices high, and to enrich President George W. Bush and his corporate supporters.

“I put myself in harm’s way for a war I see as a lie. I also believe we haven’t been told the whole truth about what happened at the Twin Towers,” Jack said.

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We finally reached D.C. about 9 a.m. on Wednesday, the 12th, after a great drive thru the Blue Ridge, stopping only briefly at Seneca Rocks where the10th Mountain Division trained before going overseas during World War Two... an awe-inspiring place as was the traffic on the I-495 beltway to Silver Springs where Winter Soldier 2 is to start tomorrow.

Already it is inspiring to see a few old veteran friends, esp. Willie Hager who we met at Lubbock when I presented a paper on the Winter Soldier 1. We had several presenters who there, at the Texas Tech Vietnam archive, showed how the whole process of soldiers speaking against the Vietnam War were patriotic and as accurate as humanly possible.

Some people consider both the original Winter Soldier in 1971 and the event to begin shortly in D.C. questionable on several levels… that war has always been hell and immoral… and that testimony against it in someway may affect the safety of American troops presently fighting overseas. Do people forget our President Harry S. Truman first rose to national attention when he conducted hearings on war profiteering during World War Two? That was not considered unpatriotic. Veterans who are working to expose the immoral and illegal practices in Iraq are not much different. The veterans will be speaking out on a variety of topics in our current war…

All I can do is urge you to check it out on the live feed the web, or get a copy of Iraq Veterans Against the War’s DVD of WSI 2 which should be available soon. It will shock you more than cost overruns or kickbacks, small potatoes comparatively. But maybe our financial system is falling apart even as we talk.

My student has managed to leave his anger and frustration behind. He won his Associate’s degree at the community college and has begun as business that is paying off. It was great to talk with him… I’d like to do a longer interview with him and other vets who have managed to survive and move on.

www.VetSpeak.org