Iraq veterans make noise at convention

[unhappycamper]

Iraq veterans make noise at convention
By Kimberly Hefling - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Aug 27, 2008 6:15:59 EDT

DENVER — Iraq war veterans are playing an active role at the Democratic convention, where they’ve marched, staged mock foot patrols on downtown sidewalks and met with a former first lady to discuss veterans’ health care.

Their activism is reminiscent of Vietnam veterans who came home and protested the Vietnam War. But their approach is much more low-key than veterans-turned-activists from Vietnam, some of whom threw out their medals in public protest.

The Iraq veterans in Denver say they want to keep the war and veterans’ issues in the public spotlight. They are doing that by soliciting donations at fundraisers for vets running for Congress, marching in demonstrations and throwing a concert today, headlined by Rage Against the Machine, for 8,000 people.

~snip~

War service in Afghanistan led Matthis Chiroux, 24, of New York, to the conclusion that the Iraq war should end immediately. Members of his organization, Iraq Veterans Against the War, walked around in military fatigues on Tuesday “detaining” volunteers to give observers an idea of what it’s like to serve in Iraq. They are hosting today’s concert and plan a march after the show to the main convention site.

Unlike during the Vietnam War, the veterans from the recent wars have been warmly welcomed at home. Tonight, two Iraq veterans, Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Pa., and Tammy Duckworth, Illinois’ director of Veterans’ Affairs, will lead a tribute to soldiers and their families.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/08/iraq_veterans_convention_ap_082708w/%2e



uhc comment: Local coverage of this action -->

http://www.fortcollinsnow.com/article/20080826/NEWS/808269997/1062&ParentProfile=1054
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/aug/26/curtis-iraq-vet-aims-to-fulfill-mission-at-tent/
http://www.timescall.com/news_story.asp?ID=10904
http://blog.oregonlive.com/elections/2008/08/iraq_vets_take_to_the_streets.html