An Ohio Military Mom Goes to Washington DC… As a mother of an infantry soldier currently serving in Afghanistan, I travelled to Washington DC Tuesday, March 22nd to ask our elected officials a few questions, such as: How long do we need to be in Afghanistan and what is our objective? Why do you think our troops should continue to fight & die for a corrupt Karzai government? Are you willing to continue to...
March 19, 2011 – Eleven military family members and veterans were arrested for civil trespass today in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre where they staged a sit in on the 8th anniversary of the occupation of Iraq. They brought with them the photographs and boots of soldiers who have died in Afghanistan and Iraq. The family members brought a block of cement with them when they sat among the hand and footprints of Hollywood...
from WGME local news in Maine… CAUGHT ON TAPE: Protester at Senator Collins’ induction into Maine Women’s Hall of Fame Peace activists protested Senator Susan Collins’ induction into the Maine Women’s Hall of Fame Saturday in Augusta. Shortly after Senator Collins was awarded the honor at the University of Maine campus, a woman stood up in the audience and began speaking, reading a written statement, and saying Senator Collins should refuse the award for her role in helping...
From MFSO Member Steve Wagener & Uppity Wisconsin The Iraq Veteran’s Against the War (IVAW) hosted a rally last Saturday, March 19 on the 8th anniversary of the Iraq War. Todd E. Dennis, former nuclear machinist mate on an attack submarine and current Madison Chapter President for the IVAW was one of several responsible for organizing the event. The rally began at the library mall on the campus of UW-Madison. Songs and speeches were...
Talking Points from Military Families Speak Out Below you will find some talking points to assist you when speaking to press, legislators, friends, and family about the human and financial costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A few things to remember…Statistics can change minds, but only stories can change hearts. Commonly held beliefs about the war are often based on emotional reactions, not logic. The most powerful tool you have is your own personal story – the facts are here...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 15, 2011 Contact: Samantha Miller, 818-419-6994 samantha@mfso.org Military Families Decry 8 Years of Occupation in Iraq Families Travel to DC to Bring Our Troops & Tax Dollars Home This weekend, military families around the country will mark the 8th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq with protests, teach-ins, art exhibits, civil disobedience, and meeting with Congress, all calling to bring our troops and tax dollars home. Members of Military...
State of the Union & True Costs of War Yes I believe in America’s ability to “do big things” to move our country forward. I also believe we can face the hard facts about Afghanistan. We spend $2 billion every week in Afghanistan for a war that 63% of Americans do not support. The war does not make us safer, in fact, our military intervention is creating many more enemies. Afghanistan is a landlocked,...
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...
Last night, President Obama called for support of our troops and their families, yet he painted far too rosy a picture of the situations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and stopped short of offering any real plans to ensure jobs and mental health services for veterans. Since the supposed end of combat operations in Iraq last summer, 18 U.S. troops and at least 649 Iraqi civilians have been killed. According to many analysts, Obama will...
Last night, President Obama called for support of our troops and their families, yet he painted far too rosy a picture of the situations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and stopped short of offering any real plans to ensure jobs and mental health services for veterans. Since the supposed end of combat operations in Iraq last summer, 18 U.S. troops and at least 649 Iraqi civilians have been killed. According to many analysts, Obama will...
Members of Military Families Speak Out will be watching President Obama’s State of the Union address this evening, and though they know the focus will be on jobs and strengthening the economy, they’ll be listening closely for any mention of ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. “I’m heartened to hear about President Obama’s pledge Monday for unprecedented support for military families. The best thing he could do to support us is to bring...