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Porter: Obama's speech did not do what it intended to, by showing the plan for ending the war in Iraq.

IVAW’s Fifth Veterans Day

As IVAW commemorates our fifth Veterans Day as an organization, we reflect on the millions of lives that have been taken by war, and the tens of thousands of U.S. troops currently serving in the combat zones of Iraq and Afghanistan. Members of Iraq Veterans Against the War know that in order to truly honor our veterans, we must listen to them, not just on Veterans Day, but on the other 364 days as well. It is for each other, our military brothers and sisters, and for our country that IVAW works every day to reveal the brutal reality and true human costs of modern warfare.

IVAW Members Organizing to Win

Many of you may remember IVAW’s powerful action at the DNC in Denver, CO this past August. Fifty of our members led a march of 8,000 people to the gates of the DNC in order to present our message to Senator Obama and the political delegates. After a tense stand-off with police, a representative from the Obama campaign met with us and accepted our message calling for an end to the occupation of Iraq, full care for veterans, and reparations for the Iraqi people.

Since that time, IVAW has been working to hold a face-to-face meeting with now President-elect and members of his staff. Our hard work has paid off! We’ve recently been contacted by a member of President-elect Obama’s veteran staff and will be meeting with representatives of both his Veteran and Foreign Affairs Committees this month. This is a huge opportunity for IVAW to assert our voice and perspective at a new level and to continue to demand accountability for ending the occupation.

The War Is Not Over

IVAW has developed hundreds of strong young leaders across the country, and we are preparing to launch an aggressive field organizing program in 2009. Our 54 chapters are eager to step up the action and end the occupation of Iraq. 

We have been witness to the horror and violence of war and we are determined to give Americans a real eyewitness account of the occupations. Several IVAW chapters have held regional Winter Soldier events to let people know what the military is really being asked to do in our name, and the impact it is having on our veterans, their families, and the civilians who suffer under occupation.

IVAW’s acclaimed book, Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan, is now available on our website, and a DVD of the testimony will soon be available for sale.

IVAW Impacted By Poor Economy

We are proud of our achievements, but with our country in the midst of an economic crisis, we are facing unprecedented challenges to raising money as we enter the New Year. At a moment when we’re gaining more members than ever before and have a real opportunity to influence the incoming Administration, we are faced with the very real prospect of having to cut back on our programs next year and possibly even lay off staff. In order to avoid this, we need your support now more than ever.