After a yucky day, good news.

[proud2BlibKansan]

Some of you may remember the story of Adam Kokesh. It was posted here yesterday. He is a Marine vet who is a very active member of the peace community. Most likely because of his involvement with IVAW, he is now being singled out by the Marine Corps and they are making him come to Kansas City for a hearing in June to determine if his honorable discharge will be taken away.

Yesterday a flurry of emails went out asking us here in KC to help Adam out when he comes for his hearing.

Today I found out that 25 people contacted Adam or IVAW and offered their help and hospitality. That is such great news and makes me so proud of the activist community here in KC.

But the good news gets better. I was doing a search for info on Adam to send out to these wonderful people and I found this picture. Turns out Adam is the guy at the Gonzalez hearing who held up the sign counting the times he said "I don't recall"!! And he is coming HERE. How cool is that?

[renate]

1. good for him!

That was awesome. (Did he end up running out of space?)

:applause:

[Clark2008]

2. I remember him. He looks a great deal like my husband

in the face.

Do you have a link to the story about his being singled out? I didn't read it.

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. All I have is this email

Adam Kokesh is a friend of mine... he is a great guy who has been telling his story of what it is really like on the front lines in Iraq! He is being forced to have a hearing in KC soon... the military wants to revoke his honorable discharge. Please read the letters below that were forwarded to me, and help if you are able.

you can email Adam at: [email protected]
or contact IVAW President, Kelly Doughtery at: [email protected]

Peace & Freedom,
Midge

help/marines freedom of speech jepordized

I am writing to let you know about an urgent issue that is affecting several of
our IVAW members. Adam Kokesh and Liam Madden are both very active members and
former Marines. Because of their outspoken opposition to the war, the Marine
Corps is threatening to revoke their honorable discharges and change them to
other than honorable. We cannot allow this suppression of free speech to occur!
Adam and Liam need our help to pay for legal defense and travel to their
hearings. Adam just found out his hearing is in Kansas City on June 4th, less
than two weeks away!
Attached below is a letter from Adam, describing his situation and asking for
your help. Besides financial contributions, we also need people who are in the
Kansas City area to gather support for Adam before his June 4th hearing. Please
contact me at [email protected] if you are in the area and would like to find out
how you can help. I will keep you updated on both Adam and Liam's cases as they
unfold.
Thank you so much for your time and support, it really means everything to our
veterans who dare to speak the truth.

In Peace,
Kelly Dougherty
Former Sergeant Army National Guard
Executive Director
Iraq Veterans Against the War

May 22, 2007

Dear Friend of Iraq Veterans Against the War,

My name is Adam Kokesh and I need your help. Because of my involvement in IVAW,
I have been singled out and called for a military hearing to be made an example
of for those of us who have spoken out against the war. I have been an active
member of IVAW for a mere four months, but have already garnered enough
attention to be perceived as a threat by those using our military to maintain
political support for the occupation of Iraq.

I was honorably discharged after serving over six years, and two tours in Iraq,
last November. I am part of the Inactive Ready Reserve until June 18, 2007,
less than a month away. After my discharge, I moved to Washington, DC to get a
Masters in Political Management at GWU, and joined IVAW. I have since appeared
on behalf of IVAW speaking at concerts, universities, and high schools. I have
written about my views on the occupation and my military experience for the IVAW
website and on my blog.

Most notably, I participated in Operation First Casualty on March 19th. This was
a mock combat patrol through Washington, DC in order to bring home the truth of
the occupation of Iraq, because the first casualty of war is the truth. I
appeared in my uniform, without my name, without rank, and without the patch
that says US MARINES. I received an email of warning about possible violations
of the UCMJ for appearing in uniform at a political event. Instead of ignoring
it like everyone I know who has received similar emails, I wrote a strongly
worded reply admonishing the Major who was "investigating" me for wasting time
on such trivial matters. The text of that email is posted here.

I soon received a package from the Marine Corps informing me of a separation
hearing to re-separate me with an Other Than Honorable Discharge. A scan of the
complete package can be seen here. I have sought private counsel for this
hearing, as is my right. I intend to bring as many witnesses as possible to
testify to both the character of my service and the nature of my involvement
with IVAW. The Marine Corps only made it known to us today that the hearing will
be held on June 4, in a mere 13 days. They have also decided to activate me for
the hearing and hold it in Kansas City, home of the Marine Corps Mobilization
Command.

This case is important because the intimidation of servicemen and women who
speak out will suppress the truth about the Iraq occupation. With the help of
IVAW, I intend to fight this to the end and stand up for the rights of all
members of our armed forces. Please support this effort by mailing a check made
out to IVAW with "Adam Kokesh Legal Defense Fund" in the memo to PO Box 8296,
Philadelphia, PA 19101 or by going here, clicking on "Donate Now" and including
"Adam Kokesh Legal Defense Fund" in the Special Project Support window. Please
feel free to email me with any questions or comments.

Sincerely,


Adam Kokesh
[email protected]
kokesh.blogspot.com

[William769]

3. That is good news!

Thanks for sharing.

[blm]

4. Very cool - and proud you'll be backing him up.

.

[evlbstrd]

5. What?!

He's been discharged. If he has a DD-214 showing an Honorable Discharge, how the hell can the Marines change it?

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. I don't understand

All I know is he is coming here for a trial.

[panader0]

6. How can DU members help save his honorable discharge?

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. He needs money

He has to travel here on his own dime.

[Brigid]

7. This doesn't make sense, though.

If his service rated an honorable discharge at the time he got out, how can they change it now? :wtf:

[TomInTib]

9. That's what I was wondering. Who cares what type of discharge, anyway?

I don't believe classification of discharge carries that much weight. Having known quite a few guys with general and bad conduct discharges, I have yet to hear from one who was disadvantaged by his type of discharge (except for the urology ones).

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. I don't know

Sounds odd to me. But I know zip about the military.

[Madspirit]

13. k&r!!...n/t

[uppityperson]

14. I knew he had to be a recent Marine vet, thank you

[bonito]

15. K&R