I'd like to extend a big thanks to Kos and all the Kossaks for the support and understanding of what some Soldiers go through (
and Marines, and Sailors, and Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen, and even the contractors just trying to get by [as long as you aren't stayin' in a four-star hotel in Kuwait and not even driving into country] and not forgetting the NGOs and civil service workers just trying to make Iraq into something other than hell). As a blogger, phone caller, and sometimes speaker for the
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) I talk to lots of people with some sort of interest in the troops' perspective on the Iraq war.
There are many views into and out of Iraq. Some people see only positive things happening there, but IAVA tries to present a more objective view by letting the troops tell their own stories. That doesn't always fit in with the cheerleading crowd but in my experience the cheerleaders don't capture the totality of the opinions of the rank and file. And as long as those guys spend more energy finding ways to blame Bill Clinton for the problems we're having in Iraq than they do in urging the party in power to actually pay for Veteran's healthcare, I can't believe they are helping their buddies all that much. Some days our view is not a popular one, especially when you interact with people still making turns through country. The is a great gulf between the carefully packaged and managed visit a congressman or dignitary might see and what a Soldier will say to a buddy over a beer. We often offer the buddy's perspective - especially if he is pissed off and maybe half-lit. It isn't always pretty but it's the truth. We still love this country and many are proud of the service but we love it enough to love it with warts and to be honest about what we did. Some wrestle with those problems too but are willing to expose their vulnerabilities to help others that may not be so strong.
So I am happy to say that we are coming to YearlyKos and will sit on the Veteran's Panel! The
full guest list is here and I am thrilled to even have my name on the same web page as these guys. You might be stuck with me but you'll get to meet Abby, Robert, and Paul - a talented and accomplished group that all returned from Iraq with a burning desire to improve the lot of other troops. That doesn't mean ingratiating themselves to the government or to other organizations, but they've worked tirelessly, told the hard and honest truths to people that didn't always want to listen and they have accomplished much. Their hard work and sacrifice has helped improve studies of PTSD in returning Vets, focused attention on the war when the public's attention was waning, and set up hotlines that troubled Vets can use as a safety valve.
Working at Fort Hood as I do, with many of my friends back in Iraq for their second or third time, it is easy to forget that not all of America is surrounded by the war. These Veterans of IAVA have a compelling narrative to tell if you'd be interested in hearing us. (Paul actually wrote his down in a
book "Chasing Ghosts")I hope to meet you all at Yearly Kos and I think you will get something out of our presentation and the Veteran's panel.
Perry Jefferies
First Sergeant, US Army (retired)
Veteran's Outreach Coordinator
Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America