Texas Labor Against the War

July 19, 2011

This evening the Austin AFL-CIO Council [Central Labor Council] was privileged to have members of the Fort Hood Operation Recovery team as guests and presenters.  Visitors to the CLC meeting were Aaron Hughes, Scott Kimball, and Sergio Kochergin of Iraq Veterans Against the War; Lori Hurlebaus of the Civilian Soldier Alliance; Alice Embree of the Fort Hood Support Network (who is also a member of the Texas State Employees Union).

Aaron spoke of the need for solidarity among soldiers, veterans, and workers.  Soldiers are workers–they are public employees; and our unions have many veterans as members.  Many soldiers come from union families and go back to unions when discharged.  But the unemployment rate among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is 21% (12% more than the national average).  The rate is even higher among African-American and female veterans–about 30%.

Many soldiers suffer from war trauma and nonetheless are redeployed.  Suicide rates among active-duty troops are twice as high as that of the civilian population, and veterans with PTSD are 6 times more likely to attempt suicide.  20% to 50% of all service members deployed to Iraq and/or Afghanistan suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  One in 3 women in the military are sexually assaulted.  1 in 3 soldiers serving in Afghanistan and Iraq say they can’t see a mental health professional when they need to, and nearly 20% of service members are taking some kind of psychiatric drug.

Aaron pointed out the huge expense of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  This money is needed at home–and we owe veterans the benefits and health treatment they need.

Most of the CLC delegates signed the pledge of support for Operation Recovery that our visitors passed around.  It states:  “I pledge to support the Operation Recovery campaign to the best of my ability.  In a war where soldiers are being injured faster than the military can treat them, I will work alongside veterans and service members to end the cycles of trauma and abuse.”  The pledge sheet further explains:  “Join Iraq Veterans Against the War and Civilian Soldier Alliance in our effort to stop the deployment of troops suffering from Military Sexual Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, and PTSD.  By signing our pledge, you agree to do what you can to help defend the rights of soldiers to heal and to hold accountable those who are responsible for deploying traumatized troops.  As the Operation Recovery campaign unfolds, we will be calling on you to help in a variety of ways.”

There was discussion from the CLC delegates, several of whom are veterans.  A Teamster rep described their program to get members back into jobs when they get home from the military.  A member of AFSCME indicated she has personal experience with veterans’ mental health problems and wants to get a group she works with in touch with Operation Recovery.  There was also interest among the delegates in U.S. Labor Against the War–USLAW brochures were available as well as Operation Recovery literature.

For more TxLAW stories on Fort Hood Operation Recovery, see http://txlaboragainstwar.org/2011/07/08/killeen-ivaw-its-audacious-and-a-little-crazy-what-were-doing-at-ft-hood/, http://txlaboragainstwar.org/2011/05/27/killeen-ivaw-operation-recovery-action-at-ft-hood/, and http://txlaboragainstwar.org/2011/07/17/killeen-under-the-hood-update-july-2011/

For LOTS of information about Operation Recovery, to sign the pledge, and to donate, see http://www.ivaw.org/operation-recovery

Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/operationrecovery
For more on the Civilian-Soldier Alliance, go to http://www.civsol.org/

–Leslie Cunningham, July 21, 2011

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

 

This month we lost a great friend and a longtime supporter of Under the Hood.  Nel LeBar passed away on January 30, 2011 surrounded by her family after losing a battle with cancer. In the words of Nel’s granddaughter:  ”Nel lived a life of grace and love. Her absence will leave no small hole for those who called her friend, which includes her family. Those who knew her were changed by her, and those who met her were inspired. Her legacy will live on in the memories and hearts that carry her spirit always. She didn’t waste one moment here on Earth and demonstrated love in everything that she did. Her gentle soul that longed for peace has finally found it.”

Under the Hood has teamed up with IVAW in support of Operation Recovery.   Join Iraq Veterans Against the War and Under the Hood in our effort to stop the deployment of troops suffering from PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Military Sexual Trauma.  By signing our pledge, you agree to do what you can to defend our right to heal and to hold accountable those responsible for the deployment of traumatized troops.  We need your help to build the Operation Recovery Campaign.  You can take the pledge at www.ivaw.org/operation-recovery.

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.  

http://theragblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/alice-embree-war-is-over.html

The Iraq Debacle
As corporate media heralds the end of combat forces in Iraq, Fort Hood is deploying 3,000 troops to Iraq from the 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment. Many of them have been deemed “undeployable” due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and other conditions resulting from previous deployments during this decade of warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan. Several upcoming events are aimed at peeling back the mass deception surrounding “the end of combat operations.”

5:00 pm, Sunday, August 29th, 1700 South First, Austin, Texas. Iraqi-American doctor, Dahlia Wasfi will speak in Austin about the U.S. Policy in Iraq: A Humanitarian Catastrophe. This event is co-sponsored by Texas Labor Against the War and CodePink Austin and will take place at the Texas State Employees Union meeting hall.  (TSEU is on S. 1st St. near Annie, across from Freddie’s Restaurant.)

10:00 am, Monday, August 30th, Under the Hood, 17 S. College, Killeen, Texas. A press conference will highlight the Iraq debacle – its impact on US. soldiers, Iraqis, and funding to meet domestic needs. Dahlia Wasfi, Iraqi-American doctor and Rep. Lon Burnam from Fort Worth, Texas will join representatives from many groups including Iraq Veterans Against the War, Veterans for Peace, CodePink and Texas Labor Against the War.

for more information:  http://www.underthehoodcafe.org/

on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=112882012098277