Texas Labor Against the War

Join us on Friday, January 27th at 7:00 p.m. at 5604 Manor for screening of
the documentary “Hidden Battles.”  “Hidden Battles”, a feature length documentary, is a dramatic and deeply personal film about the psychological impact of killing on the lives of five soldiers.  (see trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDSQETnkIgk)

Representing a cross section of nationalities, gender, class and race, these soldiers reveal intimate memories about the central act of war, the killing of another human being. How do these
individuals make sense of what they have done? What happens when time challenges
their carefully constructed stories? Consciously apolitical but deeply psychological, Hidden Battles examines the strength and struggles of men and women who kill and how they create a life for themselves afterward.

Immediately following the film, volunteers with Under the Hood Cafe & Outreach Center will talk about their efforts to support IVAW’s (Iraq Veterans Against the War) Operation Recovery, an outreach program promoting traumatized soldiers’ right to heal.

$10 suggested donation at the door.  All donations support the work of
Under the Hood Cafe & Outreach Center.   http://underthehoodcafe.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/underthehoodcafe#!/underthehoodcafe

also see event announcement at https://www.facebook.com/events/217030288384556/

The Fort Hood Support Network (FHSN) operates Under the Hood Cafe and Outreach Center, FHSN is a Texas non-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.

Police in Oakland critically injure  Iraq war veteran during Occupy
Oakland crack-down

Iraq war vet Scott Olsen wounded by Oakland police (photo Hart Noecker)

Tell Oakland Mayor Jean Quan to investigate this incident and allow
peaceful protests to continue.

Click
here to send her an email message
• Call the Mayor’s office: (510) 238-3141

Post a message on her Facebook
page

Scott Olsen, a Marine veteran who did two tours in Iraq, was hit by a police
projectile during last night’s brutal police crackdown of Occupy Oakland.  He is
in serious but stable condition at an Oakland hospital.

It’s ironic that days after Obama’s announcement of the end of the Iraq War,
Scott faced a veritable war zone in the streets of Oakland last night.  He and
other protesters were surrounded by explosions and smoke (tear gas) going off
around him as people nearby carried him injured while yelling for a medic.

A disturbing video can be seen at http://ivaw.org/

The Bay Area Indy Media center also
posted dramatic photos of Scott being cared for and escorted to saftey right
after he was hit.
WARNING: these images are graphic and disturbing: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/10/25/18695124.php

More and more veterans are joining the 99% Movement

Scott is a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War who was discharged from
military service with the Marines in 2010 after two tours in Iraq.  He is one of
many veterans who have returned home and gotten involved in the Occupy protests
taking place in hundreds of cities around the nation.  Veterans like Scott
recognize that they are part of the 99% who face uncertain economic futures,
including few job prospects and rising tuition costs. Rates of homelessness and
unemployment are higher for veterans than for their civilian counterparts.

IVAW members around the country have been participating in their local Occupy
demonstrations, and are finding other veterans there as well.  “Our members are
flocking to these occupations,” says Joyce Wagner, IVAW Board President who has
been participating in Occupy Pittsburgh.  “The Occupy encampments are a great
place to meet other veterans, network, and get veterans services.  We’re
actually bringing a VA social worker to our camp and have several older
homeless veterans in our camp.”

Supporting Scott’s recovery

Scott remains in stable but critical condition at an Oakland hospital
awaiting a decision about whether he will undergo surgery. We have set up a
medical fund to support any up-coming health needs he has.
To contribute to this fund, click here.
Thank you for your support. We will keep you posted on Scott’s condition.

In Solidarity,

Iraq Veterans Against the War

Operation Recovery Team (Under the Hood, May, 2011)

Friday, August 19, 7-9 pm

at 5604 Manor community center (5604manor.org)

Screening of film on GI coffee house at Fort Lewis, Washington

“Grounds for Resistance,” is a documentary about
the “Coffee Strong” coffee house located outside the Fort Lewis, WA, Army base.
Inspired by the Vietnam-era G.I. coffee house movement, Coffee Strong provides a
safe space where service members, military families, and veterans can gather and
discuss their experiences of war, deployment concerns, the hardships of life in
the military, and veteran benefits.

Aaron Hughes, an organizer with Iraq Vets Against
the War, http://www.ivaw.org/, will be on hand to answer questions and
speak about IVAW’s “Operation Recovery” program to assist active-duty and vets
with issues related to repeated deployments.

Staff and volunteers from the “Under the Hood”
coffee shop in Killeen near Ft. Hood will also be available to answer questions
about their work. http://www.underthehoodcafe.org/

The $5 suggested donation will benefit Under the
Hood.

Location: 5604 Manor, 5604 Manor Road,
Austin, 78723 – 5604manor.org

Join us on Memorial Day as we celebrate Kyle Wesolowski’s release from the army as a Conscientious Objector!
Meet the organizers of Operation Recovery.

Kyle Wesolowski

Monday, May 30th, starting at 2:00 p.m.
Under the Hood Cafe & Outreach Center,
17 College Street, Killeen Texas

A $10 suggested donation is requested to cover the cost of food, however, no one will be turned away for lack of funds. GIs are welcome to join us free of charge.

All are invited to Under the Hood to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. Also, visit with IVAW field organizers who have arrived for several months of work doing outreach to Fort Hood soldiers as part of Operation Recovery.

http://www.underthehoodcafe.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=110527332368984&ref=ts

Operation Recovery Team

For more on Operation Recovery action at Fort Hood, see http://txlaboragainstwar.org/2011/05/27/killeen-ivaw-operation-recovery-action-at-ft-hood/

(Photo Larry Kolvoord, Austin American-Statesman)

Members of Iraq Veterans Against the War and supporters constructed a symbolic “guard tower” outside the East Gate of Fort Hood on Thursday, May 26, 2011. During a press conference held at the foot of the tower, veterans Sergio Kochergin, left, and Aaron Hughes stood atop the tower. The group claims that Fort Hood is the center of a mental health epidemic that is sweeping the Armed Forces. 

Austin American-Statesman, http://galleries.statesman.com/gallery/photos-day-may-2011/#170585; also in the print version of the Statesman May 27, 2011. 

E-MAIL FROM IRAQ VETERANS AGAINST THE WAR, MAY 27, 2011:

IVAW puts Fort Hood Commander on watch

Left – Op Rec Team members at Under the Hood Outreach Center / Right – Op Rec Team at guard tower put Gen. Campbell on watch  

Yesterday morning, 6 members of our Operation Recovery Team went to Fort Hood Commander, General Campbell’s office to deliver a letter requesting he meet with us about the plight of traumatized troops under his command.  We were turned away, then surrounded by Fort Hood security officials who became sympathetic to our cause when we identified ourselves as veterans who are dealing with PTSD.  But we were ultimately escorted off base.  

In response, we held a press conference about the issue of un-treated trauma that is ravaging the Fort Hood community as well as the military at large.  We then erected a guard tower across from the gates of Fort Hood as a symbolic act to let Commander Campbell know that we are keeping watch over his actions (or lack thereof) when it comes to the health and well-being of soldiers at Fort Hood.  As we stood watch at the gates of Fort Hood, we handed out over 200 purple ribbons to soldiers entering the base.  These ribbons symbolize our solidarity with the tens of thousands of soldiers who are suffering from un-treated trauma because of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Get Involved with IVAW’s Operation Recovery Campaign

There are a number of ways you can support our efforts to stop the deployment of traumatized troops at Fort Hood: 

• Join our Operation Recovery Facebook group and share with your friends.
• Sign the Operation Recovery Pledge.
• Make a donation and put “Fort Hood” in the Special Projects box.
• Go to our website to download fact sheets and other materials.

Learn more by watching this short video about IVAW’s Operation Recovery Campaign at Fort Hood and meet the veteran organizers behind this effort

May is a busy month at Under the Hood.   Iraq Veterans Against the War headed to UTH this month, as part of its Operation Recovery Campaign, in its continued effort to stop the deployment of troops suffering from PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Military Sexual Trauma .  IVAW has requested a meeting with General Don Campbell.  Read IVAW’s letter to General Campbell here.   IVAW has not yet received a response, but their efforts to reach the General is only the beginning of the work they plan to do while in Fort Hood.  IVAW’s organizing team will work for several months to outreach to soldiers, build their case against the military’s egregious practices, conduct town hall meetings, and pressure Fort Hood’s new General to do the right thing 

 

Regina Vasquez brings her  Fatigues Clothesline to UTH.  This 8 week series beginning May 15th, from 5-7 pm, is for women only.  To find out more, you can reach Regina at [email protected].

 

Join us on Memorial Day as we celebrate Kyle Wesolowski’s release from the army!  As we told you in our March issue,  Kyle’s Conscientious Objector claim was approved by the U.S. Army.  Since he was notified of his CO status, Kyle has been on terminal leave.  After months of patiently waiting, Kyle will officially be out of the military by Memorial Day! 

 

Here are the details:

What: Under the Hood BBQ and get-together  

When: Monday, May 30th, starting at 2:00 p.m.

Where: Under the Hood Cafe & Outreach Center, 17 College Street, Killeen Texas

 

A $10 suggested donation is requested to cover the cost of food, however, no one will be turned away for lack of funds.  GIs are welcome to join us free of charge.

Meet new friends and get together with old ones.  We look forward to seeing you on the 30th!

 

The Fort Hood Support Network, sponsor of Under the Hood, is very pleased to receive a 2011 grant from RESIST, an organization that has funded forty years of social change.  The “Hell Yes!” Grant was awarded for leadership in the movement for social justice on April 3, 2011.  RESIST says, “The ‘Hell Yes!’ Grant honors the spirit of resistance to illegitimate authority and is awarded to groups that embody the moral clarity, courage and political commitment to challenge the forces that drive toward war and place profits over people.”  The Fort Hood Support Network board member and treasurer says: “We are honored to be a ‘Hell Yes!’ grant recipient.”  

 

Your continued support of Under the Hood allows us to continue our important work in Killeen. Whether you are making a one-time donation or want to sign up as a sustainer, it’s easy to contribute through PayPal.  

 

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.  

Interested in sharing some of your time and talents with Under the Hood?   We are always happy for support in any form.  Along with monetary support to keep our doors open, we can always use other forms of assistance.  If you believe that you can provide support in some way, please feel free to contact us.  We’d be happy to put you to work!

 

 Check out the  ResiStore!   Now you can purchase great items and support Under the Hood at the same time. Check it out here.

  

Under the Hood Update is 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.

 

Past issues of Under the Hood Update are now on the Under the Hood website!

If you’ve missed any of our past issues, or if you just want to re-read past articles, please click here.

P.O Box 16174 | Austin, TX  78761