Support the Soldiers at Ft. Hood

Dear Supporter,

Update on the situation at Ft. Hood

In the wake of the killings at Ft. Hood, Iraq Veterans Against the War has confirmed that all of our chapter members there are safe. None were injured, but some of them knew some of the shooting victims. As you can imagine, many on the base are quite shaken by the shootings, especially after serving in combat situations themselves. Base Commanders at Ft. Hood must do more to step up mental health outreach and care for all GIs, especially after this horrific incident. "There is still a strong stigma against seeking help," said Chance Mills, an IVAW member stationed at Ft. Hood. "It is considered a weakness, like if your health care appointments are scheduled during the workday, people look at it as you're scamming out of duty."

Mike Kern, IVAW Ft. Hood chapter president spoke yesterday along with independent journalist Dahr Jamail on Democracy Now. Check out the clip here.

IVAW will be sending a mental health professional down to Ft. Hood this week to provide support to our members there. In addition, the Field Organizing Team Leader, Aaron Hughes, will arrive at Ft. Hood today. Working with the Warrior Writers Project, we will provide an opportunity to use the arts for healing and strengthening the active duty and veteran community in and around Ft. Hood this week through writing workshops at Under The Hood, the local GI coffeehouse. On Veterans Day, IVAW will host a memorial and candlelight vigil outside the gates of Ft. Hood.

What you can do to help:

1) Life on a military base can be pretty isolating. GIs at Ft. Hood would appreciate hearing from civilian supporters so they know they are not alone. Send letters of solidarity and moral support to the GIs and Veterans of IVAW Fort Hood via postal mail to:

IVAW Ft. Hood c/o Fort Hood Support Network
P.O. Box 16174
Austin, TX 78761-6174

2) Help cover the costs of flying our mental health therapist down to Ft. Hood. She has extensive experience working with veterans suffering from PTSD and is volunteering her services. Make a donation here to cover her airfare.

During the rest of November, we will be highlighting the issues of veteran and GI health. Stay tuned for podcasts and blog posts highlighting the human costs of war from our members' experiences.

We appreciate your support.

Iraq Veterans Against the War