Texas Labor Against the War

The late, great Molly Ivins, in her last published article about the wars said, “We need people in the streets, banging pots and pans and demanding, ‘Stop it, now!’”  This is Michael Kern, formerly known as SPC Michael Kern.  Mike received an honorable discharge from the army on July 27, 2010.  Mike was in Iraq until March 2009.  When he arrived back in Killeen he suffered from combat stress, but received no support from his unit.  While still in Iraq, Mike had heard from a friend about Under the Hood.  While he worked to receive the treatment he needed, Under the Hood became a regular place for him.  Mike explains, “I was having flashbacks.  PTSD causes hyper-vigilance, so I couldn’t sleep at night.   Under the Hood is a great place to sleep”.   Although he eventually received help through the Warrior Transition Brigade, Under the Hood still remained his home away from home. 

 

Mike has been a regular at Under the Hood since our doors opened and he has the unique perspective of seeing how it has grown since its early days.  “I like where it’s going” he recently explained.  “It has become a great activist place and there is a core group here ready to take on any situation.” 

 

When asked how Under the Hood helped him through the healing process, Mike admits that helping other soldiers is an important part of his therapy.  In fact, he intends to make a career of helping people heal.  He’ll soon be returning home to California, but he also plans to attend college to get a degree in Psychology.

 

 He was asked what he would tell others who are working to get out of the military.  Kern’s advice: “It can be done, but you need support to do it.”

  

But Mike’s honorable discharge isn’t our only success story this month!  Eric Jasinski who has also been diagnosed with PTSD and who spent 30 days in Bell County Jail for refusing to redeploy to Iraq also received an honorable discharge.  Eric’s journey has been a challenging one, but he now looks forward to moving back to Arkansas and focusing on his growing family.

 

Under the Hood has been a very busy place these days. Despite President Obama’s claims that the war in Iraq is winding down, the 3rd ACR is gearing up for yet another deployment to Iraq. Many of these soldiers facing deployment are known to be unfit for combat due to injuries sustained in prior tours. To draw attention to this injustice,a march to the East Gates at Fort Hood was held on July 30^th and a “Harrass the Brass” campaign was initiated and continues until August 25th.  

 

 In solidarity with anti-war groups around the nation, the Under the Hood staff, along with active duty soldiers, veterans, family members and others are planning a press conference on Monday, August 30th at 10:00 AM at the Under the Hood Café, to counter the current administration’s claim that the conflict in Iraq is “over” and “success” has been achieved.  Speakers will include Iraqi-American Dahlia Wasfi, MD and Texas State Representative Lon Burnam.

 

We then plan a march to the gates of Fort Hood to demand that ALL troops be brought home.  With a billion dollars spent on constructing an American fortress-like embassy in Bagdad and 50,000 troops (“advisors”) left in Iraq after August 31st, the occupation obviously continues.