From Our Founding to Our Future

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