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Iraq Veterans Against the War has become About Face: Veterans Against the War. About Face can be found at aboutfaceveterans.org

Iraq Veterans Against the War

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From Our Founding to Our Future

published by Kelly Dougherty on 01/22/15 3:19pm

When I returned from Iraq ten years ago, some of my most vivid memories were of pointing my rifle at men and boys while my fellow soldiers burned semi trucks of food and fuel, and of watching the raw grief of a family finding that their young son had been run over and killed by a military convoy.

I remember being frustrated with military commanders that seemed more concerned with decorations and awards than with the safety of their troops, and of finding out that there never were any weapons of mass destruction.  I was angry and frustrated and couldn't relate to my fellow veterans who voiced with pride their feelings that they were defending freedom and democracy.  I also couldn't relate to civilians who would label me a hero, but didn't seem interested in actually listening to my story.

When I helped to found Iraq Veterans Against the War in 2004 it felt amazing to meet other veterans who were critical of the war, who questioned and disagreed with military policy, and who had decided to lend their voices to the growing opposition to the occupation. Over the past ten years it has been people like you who have supported us as we've continued to advocate for an end to war and today I am asking you to continue your support of IVAW by making a donation to our Indiegogo community fund campaign.  

Like other veteran organizations, IVAW is a community where people understand the trials of boot camp, the ridiculous bureaucracy and quirks of the military, and the struggles of deploying to Iraq.  But unlike other veteran spaces, it's also a community where I can talk about my feelings of shame for participating in a violent occupation.  I can voice my opinions on the illegal and immoral nature of the invasion of Iraq and discuss U.S. imperialism.  I can have conversations about the racism, misogyny, and homophobia that is endemic in the military and how it is a reflection of larger societal problems. 

IVAW has given me a community, has been healing and empowering, has challenged me and taught me many things over the past ten years. But of course it's not just about me or any individual member, but also about creating lasting, systemic change.  The sort of change that shifts paradigms and creates a more just and sustainable society.  Iraq Veterans Against the War has been doing this difficult, long-term work for the past ten years and, with your continued support, we plan to continue organizing to end U.S. military violence overseas, to oppose the militarization of our police forces at home, and win the right to heal from military trauma for both veterans and civilians. 

Please make a donation to IVAW today through our Indiegogo community fund campaign to help ensure we can continue this work for years to come. 

With gratitude for your continued support,

Kelly Dougherty, IVAW co-founder and board member

DISPATCHES FROM UNDER THE HOOD Part One by CivSol Member Rushelle Frazier

This is a repost from a July 2012 Civilian-Soldier Alliance blog post from Rushelle Frazier. At the time Rushelle was a CivSol Resident Organizer in Killeen, TX.   July 3 - July 12, 2012 Greetings from sunny Killeen, Texas!...

For disabled veterans awaiting benefits decisions, location matters

The Center for Investigative Reporting wants to hear from you and your story with veterans disablities claims. Click here to share your wait for help. IVAW board member Dottie Guy featured in powerful investigative article...

Remembering Joshua Casteel

IVAW mourns the loss of our brother Joshua Casteel, 32, of Cedar Rapids, IA. Joshua was diagnosed in early November 2011 with stage IV lung cancer (adenocarcinoma), that was also present in his liver, spine and adrenals. He...

The Invisible Wounds of War: Number of Soldiers Committing Suicide Reaches Record High

Democrecy Now features Iraq Veterans Against the War in exclusive on the military suicide epidemic.

Suicide Is Anything but Painless

Great In These Times article by Rebecca Burns featuring IVAW field Organizer Maggie Martin. Before 21 year-old Army infantryman Derrick Kirkland hanged himself in his barracks in March 2010, he had attempted to take his...
Carli Richards's picture

First blog. Just wanted to share these cool links and see how these things work.

http://secularwoman.org/Aurora_Shooting_Survivor_Carli_Counsels_Fellow_Atheist_Women http://secularwoman.org/carli_interview These people were so amazingly compassionate and gave me an outlet to speak the truth about what...

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