IVAW is defending the rights of veterans and service members this Veterans Day

[annm4peace]

IVAW is defending the rights of veterans and service members this Veterans Day

(We are always doing this, but today is a day that more people listen.)

As I write this, Field Organizer, Chantelle Bateman, member, Zach Choate, and civilian supporter, Ryan Harvey, are traveling with AWOL soldier, Jeff Hanks, who refused to re-deploy to Afghanistan after the Army denied him medical care. They've been driving for hours through the Deep South, headed to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where Jeff will hold a press conference, then turn himself in to the Army medical center on base.

Jeff has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and was due to receive medical evaluation and treatment during a leave from his tour in Afghanistan, when his military commanders effectively cancelled his doctor appointments to send him back to combat. Jeff made the difficult decision to go AWOL to get the care he needed. IVAW's Operation Recovery Campaign has helped Jeff to get the civilian medical care he so desperately needs, and identify a lawyer to defend his right to heal.

We are taking action across the country today

Here are some highlights of the work we are doing today to honor Veterans and promote Operation Recovery:

* Members at University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana are tabling on their campus, then doing an art installation about the issue of veteran and soldier suicide.
* Savannah members are holding a teach-in and then are flyering GI hang outs near Fort Stewart, GA.
* San Francisco members are holding a teach-in and education forum on the issue of military and war trauma.
* In Manhattan, Kansas, members are flyering at the annual Veterans Day parade and doing outreach to GIs at Fort Riley.
* Our Chicago chapter has organized an art exhibition, Intrusive Thoughts, part of a month-long series of programs at the National Veterans Art Museum.


IVAW files Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request on traumatized soldiers in the U.S. Army

Today, we requested information from our government that will expose the scope of the problem of troops serving with un-treated trauma, including the number of troops that have reported or sought treatment for PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, or Military Sexual Trauma. We specifically want to know about the 101st Airborne Division, the 1st Infantry Division, the 2nd Infantry Division, the 3rd Infantry Division, the 1st Cavalry Division, and the 10th Mountain Division. These troops are the most heavily deployed and are dealing with extremely high rates of suicide and depression. The U.S. Army has this information, but has not made it public.


https://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5966/p/salsa/web/common/public/content?content_item_KEY=3055

[w8liftinglady]

1. As one who has seen and experienced this...I am grateful for their commitment.

We need to inform America more than once a year about the true cost of war.thank you IVAW