As a member of a family with a son in the military, I had my sense of reality twisted around last night by President Obama. When he finally got around to the two wars which eat up billions of our tax dollars and, which have killed and maimed thousands of our young men and women, he spoke as if they are just another wonderful American program for progress and peace. He mentioned 100,000 troops...
Like many Americans I watched the state of the Union. The Presidents said that we were all part of something greater- the American Family. As a Gold Star mother and an advocate for Military Families I hope that we are truly now a full part of the American Family. The initiatives announced the day before to help families look promising. I am worried about the effects of multiple deployments on the education of our...
Hi! I am so glad to see everyone here. I am a very proud member of Veterans For Peace. My husband and I joined VFP in 2005. At the same time we joined Military Families Speak Out. Our son Joe had joined the army in 2003 and by 2005 was getting ready to deploy to Afghanistan. We were against the invasions of both Iraq and Afghanistan and knew we had to speak out, act out, rise up....
Mothers’ Tears Reflection of a mother of a soldier/veteran of Iraq/Afghanistan wars “It is now some years later and most remember where they were that day and what they were doing. For me that day was more than a horrific event. That day changed my life forever, the aftermath and events to come weigh heavily on my soul, and will until judgment day. I lost a piece of myself that day and later a...
To Charley and Nancy, who in 2004 gave us the courage and strength to speak out against the war and to advocate for veterans’ health care reform. You walked with us and made us smile in spite of our loss. We hold you both in our hearts now and forever. Kevin and Joyce Lucey are the proud parents of Cpl. Jeffrey Michael Lucey, who served in Iraq during the invasion and later took his...
A Google search for Military Families Speak Out runs at least 69 pages with story after story of the difference you have made, Charley. It is a difference that makes peace for so many in profound ways…that will play out long after we are all gone, on the national stage, in private living rooms, and dare I say, in loving eulogies for so many MFSO members whose lives became dedicated to peace…inspired by you....
During the long ten days between the time our son was killed and the day his body came home from Dover, we somehow found Charley and Nancy. Their compassion, kindness, and steadfast courage helped us to find our voice to speak out about these senseless criminal wars. I will never ever forget their hugs, their warmth and kindness to two grieving parents in Oregon that were so lost in a sea of rage and...
Charley and Nancy’s commitment to creating a more peaceful and beautiful world was a major inspiration to my own work for peace and justice. The voices of military families that Charley and Nancy help to amplify are an inspiration. I wish you strength, hope, and eternal peace, Charley! Thank you for the important legacy of...
Nancy and Charley have stood next to me in these terrible years of my son’s deployment first to Iraq and then to Afghanistan. They taught me how to use my anger and terror to speak out against wars I knew from the first day were wrong, tragic and endless. They provided an organization, a community for those of us who have felt so isolated during these long eight years. They have heard all our...
Dear Charley – We send you our tribute with hearts full of love and hope. You and Nancy have given so much of yourselves to help end these wars and to help others in so many ways, and we are ever thankful. You truly have made a difference in the world, and in homes all across the country. We want to help support the vital MFSO work as it goes forward. Please know that...
We offer a tribute to Charley and Nancy. We met them in the darkest hour, when my son had been deployed and was then killed in Iraq. They gave us all encouragement, support, and stood with us as we stood against the war. My family has been blessed by their spirits, we have learned from their organizing skill, and I do believe that they have lovingly bent the World in a direction of nonviolence....
It is only due to the hard work, dedication and organizing skills of Charley and Nancy that MFSO has grown to become the largest organization of military families to oppose ongoing wars in the history of the United States. Personally, Charley and Nancy have also sustained me and many other members while our loved ones are at war. I urge everyone out there to join me in this tribute to Charley. We owe it...