Texas Labor Against the War

April 2010

March was a month of ups and downs for Under the Hood regulars and supporters. While we are excited that Travis Bishop was released early, we are very concerned for Eric Jasinski who was sentenced to 30 days in Bell County Jail.

Travis Bishop was released early on March 25, 2010 from the Fort Lewis Brig. Bishop was originally sentenced to 12 months in prison during his court-martial at Fort Hood, for refusing to deploy to Afghanistan for reasons of conscience.  Bishop served a total of seven months and 12 days of confinement after a successful clemency application to the Commanding General at Fort Hood and receiving extra time off for good behavior.  A celebration of his release was held at Coffee Strong in Lakewood, Washington on Sunday March 28th.  He also plans to come back to Killeen to visit his friends and supporters at Under the Hood Café where additional celebrations will be held.  News of Bishop’s release appeared in newspapers all over Texas, including Fort Worth, Houston, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Midland, Baytown, Waco, Temple, Killeen, San Antonio and Austin.      On

March 30, 2010, Spc. Eric Jasinski was sentenced to 30 days confinement in the Bell County Jail. With good behavior, we anticipate that Eric will be out in 27 days.  In the meantime, family and friends are concerned for Eric’s well-being while jailed.  Currently under treatment for PTSD, Jasinski’s confinement could interfere with his ability to receive his prescribed medications.  James Branum, Eric’s attorney, is awaiting a reply for request to reduce his sentence.  According to Branum, “He was seeing a psychiatrist for his condition and prescribed Zoloft for depression and Trazadone to get to sleep, and they handed him his gun and told him to go back to Iraq.”     Eric’s supporters held a vigil on the evening of March 30th outside of the East Gate.  View some of our pictures on Facebook by clicking here.     Additional vigils are being held every Saturday at the Bell County Jail Annex, 113 West Central Avenue, Belton, Texas, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.  Vigils are currently scheduled for April 10th, 17th and 24th.

Your continued support helps us to provide much needed support to soldiers and veterans. The Fort Hood Support Network (FHSN) operates Under the Hood Café and Outreach Center.  FHSN is a Texas non-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. Donations may be treated as tax-deductible. We are especially grateful to our donors who make monthly contributions.  Whether you can commit to a monthly donation, or just a one-time donation, everything helps.

Under the Hood posters and coffee available soon! Thanks to the artistic skills of Gregory Truett Smith and Mahesh Brown, UtH has two brand new posters.  These posters will be available at the house parties in May, and will soon be available on our website for purchase.  You can help support Under the Hood and own a piece of history by purchasing one or both of these beautiful posters.   Under the Hood Café will soon have organic fair trade coffee available for purchase on our website.  If you buy coffee regularly, consider buying your coffee through Under the Hood so that your dollars can provide additional support to soldiers and veterans seeking the services of UtH.

Join us at one of our house parties in May! Lee and Hardy Loe have offered their beautiful new, environmentally responsible home for a house party to help raise funds to keep Under the Hood’s doors open.  Join us in Houston on Friday May 7th, starting at 6 p.m. at 1844 Kipling Street.  Hear the stories of active duty soldiers and veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, with special guest Cynthia Thomas, military wife and manager of Under the Hood Café. A special short video and multi-media presentation will be shown.  Snacks, beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be served. $10 donation suggested at the door.  You can RSVP to this event by visiting our Facebook invite.   We hope to see you there.    If you can’t join us in Houston or you just can’t get enough of us, please join us at the beautiful home of Jennifer and Walter Long on May 15th in South Austin.  Many of the details are still being worked out, but we anticipate a great evening of music, food, and inspiring stories.  More information will be provided in the May newsletter, so please stay tuned.     For more information about either of these events, please feel free to contact Jim Turpin, Fundraising Committee, by e-mail or you can call him at 512-965-3726.    Under the Hood Update is now on Facebook. Become a fan! You can find archived issues and connect with other fans of Under the Hood.  Visit our Facebook page by clicking here.