Aided by Web, Iraq War Veterans Organize as Critics

[leftchick]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/23/national/23vets.html

Sean Huze enlisted in the Marine Corps right after the Sept. 11 attacks and was, in his own words, "red, white and blue all the way" when he deployed to Iraq 16 months later. Unquestioning in his support of the invasion, he grew irritated when his father, a former National Guardsman, expressed doubts about the war.


Today, all that has changed. Haunted by the civilian casualties he witnessed, Corporal Huze has become one of a small but increasing number of Iraq veterans who have formed or joined groups to oppose the war or to criticize the way it is being fought.

The two most visible organizations - Operation Truth, of which Corporal Huze is a member, and Iraq Veterans Against the War - were founded only last summer but are growing in membership and sophistication. The Internet has helped them spread their word and galvanize like-minded people in ways unimaginable to activist veterans of previous generations, who are also lending help.

"There's strength in numbers," Corporal Huze said. "By ourselves, we're lone voices, a whisper in a swarm of propaganda out there. Combined, we can become a roar and have an impact on the issues that we care about."

Those who turn to the groups are generally united in their disillusionment, though their responses to the war vary: Iraq Veterans seeks a quick withdrawal from Iraq; Operation Truth focuses on the day-to-day issues affecting troops and veterans.



Military boots, US flags and flowers, part of the traveling exhibit 'Eyes Wide Open: The Human Cost of War', in Washington, DC. With the bulk of its ground forces tied down in Iraq (news - web sites), the United States has compelling reasons to avoid military action against neighboring Iran even while stepping up pressure to halt Tehran's nuclear program, analysts say(AFP/Tim Sloan)

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. VVAW has been trying to help some of these guys organize

I get emails from my neighbor about it-he was a medic in 'Nam and joined VVAW in '68.

[leftchick]

2. Access without registering....

I don't know why but this Yahoo link allows you to read it with out a registration...click on the first entry.

http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news?fr=news-storylinks&p=%22Iraq%22&c=&n=20&yn=c&c=news&cs=nw

[Just Me]

3. I am just really grateful these troops have a support system.

They deserve to have organizations which offer mutual support. I hope this is a positive sign of changes which serve the needs of our troops and our people.

I congratulate both Operation Truth and the IVAW!!! There are many Americans who care about them and salute their courage.

[shrike]

4. I'm so proud of these guys

There's so much pressure on them to toe the line, wave the flag. All the local veterans groups, at least the ones where I live, are so pro-war I couldn't imagine a dissenting voice being allowed among them.

[Cha]

5. These guys have the ultimate uphill

battle but thankfully they are all over it.

Think John Kerry back in the '70's trying to get the word out on the Vietnam war..going against the likes of nixon and the future swift boat liars.

[NashVegas]

6. This Amazes Me

With the consent of his commanding officers at Camp Lejeune, he speaks regularly to the media and others as a representative for Operation Truth.

This truly is a rebellion of sorts.

[AlCzervik]

10. thats a good point, maybe they see how bad the civilian leadership

is now and they are sick of toeing the line and keeping quiet.

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. This is a good quote:

"By sometime in December 2003, I came to the conclusion that W.M.D.'s weren't there and that Saddam Hussein had nothing to do with 9/11, and now I'm left with all that I'd experienced in Iraq and nothing to balance it," Corporal Huze said, emphasizing that he was speaking as a citizen, not as a marine. "When I came to that conclusion, I felt this sense of betrayal. I was full of rage and depression."

[youngdem]

8. I know a young woman

I too am proud of these young brave men and women. I have a class with a young woman that is in the National Guard reserves, she has already served once in Iraq, and was told last week that she would most likely be sent out again in the next few weeks. As told to me by her, she is scared to death. She thought that one time over there would be all. She enlisted to have her college tuition paid for.She just can not seem to complete one full year.

[Whoa_Nelly]

9. Here's Operation Truth website link

http://www.optruth.org/main.cfm