Is anyone interested in a Military Families group?

[Longhorn]

I belonged to a Marine parents board -- I was even a moderator -- but the politics turned me off. Anything supportive of the Idiot Boy or the war was considered patriotic. Other views were considered "political" and supposedly, politics were not allowed. However, when I could disregard the politics, that board was most helpful to me while my son was in boot camp and other training.

So do we have enough parents, siblings, spouses, and girlfriends/boyfriends to form a group where we can share information and support one another as our loved ones serve? What would we include in our mission statement?

I'm looking forward to your responses. Thanks!

[alcuno]

1. Good luck.

It's a great idea.

[WebeBlue]

2. Here are resources for Military Family groups, Speaking out.

We are military family, with 2 loved ones deployed to Iraq, extended tours, served 15 months. Both are scheduled to be redeployed to Iraq for a second deployment approx. July 2005.
I am among one of those military families that do speak out, publicly and in media. However, I am only one among many who work hard to speak out and get the reality-based ground truth before the public's eyes.

The use of yellow ribbon has very different connotation for us and means to us, Bring the Troops Home, End the illegal war in Iraq.

List below are some of the organizations comprised of Iraq veterans, former veterans, military families and friends. Lend your support?

Military Families Speak Out http://www.mfso.org /

newly formed this week; Military Families Agaist the War www.mfaw.org.uk in Britain.
the KIA Scottish Black Watch soldiers galvanized military families in UK to model their own version of Military Families Speak Out modelled on our MFSO here in America.

LEARN MORE

Hear the truth about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan from the perspective of the soldiers who have experienced them first-hand: Operation Truth
http://optruth.com/main.cfm?actionId=globalShowStaticCo...

Connect with a group of vets who are speaking out against the war and calling for the troops to come home: Iraq Veterans Against the War
http://www.ivaw.net /

Read testimony from people who are opposed to war in Iraq and who have relatives or loved ones in the military: Military Families Speak Out http://www.mfso.org /

Get the facts about your rights in case of a draft and learn what options you have if you've already enlisted: Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors
http://www.objector.org /

see aired interview on Newshour with Jim Lehrer, Homefront Battles. I am among one of the families speaking out in this segment
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/military/ju...ttle_10-04.html

see newspaper article, Seattle Times, meeting with the military moms/wives on tour for Kerry; I am among one of several MFSO families meeting with the Moms on Tour for Kerry families http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/loca...arymoms18e.html

Paul Reichkoff of Operation Truth is an Iraq Veteran and has been a powerful voice in speaking out on behalf of the troops

Brooke Campbell, sister to Sgt Ryan Campbell, KIA in Iraq with his last email message: "Don't vote for Bush, just don't do it, I won't be happy with you"
http://www.brookesstory.com/windowsmedia.htm

Veterans for Peace has a public voice against the war in Iraq.

Vietnam Veterans Against the War gives a public voice to being against the war in Iraq.
http://www.vvawai.org/

See also Link TV Programming where some very powerful videos are telling a truth not seen as much in MSM.
http://www.linktv.org/programming/index.php3

1)Strong at the Broken Places

http://strongatthebrokenplaces.com/

Strong at the Broken Places focuses on the human cost of the war in Iraq as expressed in the words and faces of the soldiers themselves and their families. Max Cleland, a decorated, triple amputee from Vietnam who has made the cause of veterans his mission, brings each story to life. The result is both poignant and powerful. As with Cleland's own journey from Vietnam to Iraq, the stories of the soldiers and their families show that suffering in war can transform its victims into advocates for justice and healing - and even for the hijacked truth about 9/11. In its first test screenings, Strong at the Broken Places is not only awakening the consciousness of individual Americans, but starting to galvanize a national debate about, what Cleland calls, the "ground truth" of war itself.

Max Cleland is the former director of the Veterans Administration and United States Senator from Georgia. He served as Captain in the First Cavalry in Vietnam.

"The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places."
Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms
Richard Mahoney, the writer and executive producer, is the author of several books and film projects.

Stephen Brittle, the line producer and researcher, is an environmental activist who has produced environmental education videos and an emergency planning website.

Tom Jennings was the producer of the documentary.

Jim Studer created the music for the documentary.

Strong at the Broken Places to air on Link TV
starting Thursday, October 21, 2004

2) Honor Betrayed

An investigation into the pressures put on the American military by the Iraq War, an insufficient Pentagon budget, and the looming issue of a draft. The film weaves together commentary by several of America's most respected military experts with real life personal narratives from the veterans, widows, and members of the military communities that are most directly affected by the Bush Administration's current foreign policy. "Honor Betrayed" challenges the widely held view that conservatives are better stewards of our national security than liberals.

For more information about this issue, click here.

For more information, or to order a DVD of the program, visit these websites:

American Family Voices
Veterans for Common Sense

3) HIJACKING CATASTROPHE: 9/11, FEAR, AND THE SELLING OF
AMERICAN EMPIRE

Narrated by Julian Bond

"The most outspoken and yet the calmest of the new
documentaries opposing the Bush presidency." -Roger Ebert
"Drives home even deeper the message that Fahrenheit and
its ilk attempted to deliver." -Washington Post
"A devastating critique of the Bush administration's drive
to war." -Howard Zinn

http://www.hijackingcatastrophe.org


Courage doesn't always shout. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day that says, "I will try again tomorrow

[Longhorn]

3. Thanks for the great info!

What I'm looking for here, however, is a group that discusses the nonpolitical aspects of military life with people who share political viewpoints so if I do complain about this stupid war, it won't get deleted.

I'm talking about the day-to-day advice and support from enlistment to discharge. For example, I can now offer all kinds of advice to someone whose loved one is entering bootcamp. I have questions for those who have had loved ones stationed overseas, like using the military transport to get them home or the best way to send cookies without them breaking to pieces. And sometimes I need advice on talking to my son when he is torn between his career and his disdain for this war and this administration from people in similar circumstances who know what it is like.

I am familiar with MFSO and appreciate the other links, which I will check into. Thanks again!

[Longhorn]

4. kick

[Longhorn]

5. kick

Timing is everything! ;)