Posts Tagged ‘soldier’

Killeen: Under the Hood Update, August 2011

Thursday, August 18th, 2011

August 2011
Under the Hood and IVAW have joined forces with the Civilian Soldier Alliance to expand Operation Recovery efforts in Killeen!
Founded in 2007, the Civilian Soldier Alliance is an organization of civilians working with veterans and active-duty service-members to build a GI resistance movement towards a just foreign policy. They work with and support service-members and veterans to withdraw military support from the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, supporting resistance within the military that empowers
service members to have a voice and develop as leaders organizing for change.
We are very excited about this new partnership. Read more about how Civilian Soldier Alliance is  digging into the Operation Recovery Campaign in Killeen.
Check out Under the Hood’s new coffee bar!
Thanks to Malachi Muncy, UTH’s intern extraordinaire, Under the Hood now has a new coffee bar with UTH logo.  Now when you visit Under the Hood, you’ll be greeted with a cup of organic fair trade coffee when you walk in the door.  Please stop by and enjoy a cup with us.
Join us this Friday, August 19th at 5604 Manor (Austin) for a screening of the documentary “ Grounds for Resistance.”
A $5 suggested donation at the door will benefit Under the Hood.
Location: 5604 Manor, 5604 Manor Road, Austin, Texas 78723
Time: 7 – 9 p.m.
This documentary tells the story of the Coffee Strong coffee house located outside the
Fort Lewis, Washington army base.  Aaron Hughes, an organizer with Iraq Veterans Against the War will be on hand to answer questions and speak about IVAW’s Operation Recovery program.  Staff and
volunteers from Under the Hood will also be available to answer questions about their work.
Under the Hood Upcoming Events:

Ribs n’ Rights
Every Thursday 7-9pm
Eat some ribs and learn more about your rights as a service member.
Free with enlisted ID.

Killeen Poetry Slam
Friday August 26, 7-11pm
Under the Hood is proud to host the Killeen Poetry Slam every other Friday kicking off on Friday
August 26!
Refreshments and snacks available.
[Note: This is recurring. Every other Friday, 8/26, 9/9, 9/23]

Women’s Night at Under the Hood
Friday September 16, 7-10pm
A woman’s only space to relax, speak freely and have fun together.  More details tba.

Soldier and Veteran Art Showcase
Friday, September 30, 8pm-11pm
Under the Hood will be hosting a Soldier and Veteran’s Art Showcase, where soldiers can display artwork and see what other art is being done by soldiers and veterans in the community. Interested in
submitting artwork? More details to be announced soon.

Join us for Hoodstock III on Sunday, October 2nd at Jovita’s!  (Austin)
Our annual Hoodstock show will feature local artists and musicians and all proceeds will benefit Under the Hood Cafe & Outreach Center.  We are still recruiting local artists to perform at this year’s event.  If you would like to donate your time and talent to this important annual event, please contact Jim Turpin at [email protected].
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.

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Killeen Daily Herald: “Peaceful Protest” at Ft. Hood

Sunday, January 17th, 2010

Susan Van Haitsma writes: “A few of us Austin CodePinkers went to Killeen yesterday to participate in
their “Sick of War” demonstration at the gates of Ft. Hood. Others I spoke
with came from Ft. Worth, Denton, San Marcos and Austin. Despite the
weather, a number of news people showed up to document the event. Here is
an article published today in the Killeen Daily Herald:

http://www.kdhnews.com/news/story.aspx?s=38454

Jan. 16, 2010

By Rebecca LaFlure
Killeen Daily Herald

Despite chilly wind and rain, anti-war protesters huddled outside Fort Hood’s East Gate for six hours Friday calling for increased mental health resources for soldiers and veterans.

The demonstrators, toting signs and the occasional umbrella, said the military overmedicates its service members and does not provide adequate counseling for those returning home from multiple deployments.

Standing in front of a black banner that read, “Sick of fighting your wars,” Cynthia Thomas, manger of Under the Hood Café in Killeen, said she worries the Afghan surge will increase mental health issues in the military.

“We’re sending soldiers to war and not taking care of them when they get back,” she said. “It’s going to be another batch coming back with that many more traumas, both physically and mentally.”

The protest began with a faithful dozen Friday morning and gradually increased to 30 people by the end of the afternoon.

Mike Prysner, 26, a former soldier who participated in the demonstration, traveled from Los Angeles to protest the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and advocate for soldier rights. Prysner said he had trouble obtaining mental health treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder upon his return from Iraq.

“It was a fight to get someone to see me,” he said. “When they finally did, they just wrote me a prescription and sent me on my way.”

Spc. Eric Jasinski, a Fort Hood soldier who also attended Friday’s event, turned himself in to Army officials last month after going absent without leave for a year.

The 23-year-old, who was diagnosed with PTSD and severe depression after he returned from Iraq, said he went AWOL at the end of 2008 after he was stop-lossed and ordered to return to Iraq. “I knew I couldn’t go back again,” he said. “We need to get a better understanding of PTSD. … I want the stigma to go away.”

The protesters hoped the demonstration would encourage more soldiers and their family members to speak out.

“We’ve gotten middle fingers and peace signs,” said Josh, a former Marine. “It’s been a good day.”

Contact Rebecca LaFlure at [email protected] or (254) 501-7548. Follow her on Twitter at KDHeducation

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