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 Winter Soldier Marches AgainPosted on Mar 19, 2008By Amy Goodman Last weekend, in the lead-up to the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, a remarkable gathering occurred just outside Washington, D.C., called Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan, Eyewitness Accounts of the Occupations. Hundreds of veterans of these two wars, along with active-duty soldiers, came together to offer testimony about the horrors of war, including atrocities they witnessed or committed themselves. The name, Winter Soldier, comes from a similar event in 1971, when hundreds of Vietnam veterans gathered in Detroit, and is derived from the opening line of Thomas Paine’s pamphlet, “The Crisis,” published in 1776: “These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.” This Winter Soldier was organized by the group Iraq Veterans Against the War. Kelly Dougherty, an Iraq veteran from the Colorado Army National Guard and IVAW’s executive director, opened the proceedings, saying: “The voices of veterans and service members, as well as civilians on the ground, need to be heard by the American people, and by the people of the world, and also by other people in the military and other veterans so they can find their voice to tell their story, because each of our individual stories is crucially important and needs to be heard if people are to understand the reality and the true human cost of war and occupation.” What followed were four days of gripping testimony, ranging from firsthand accounts of the murder of Iraqi civilians, the dehumanization of Iraqis and Afghanis that undergirds the violence of the occupations, to the toll that violence takes on the soldiers themselves and the inadequate care they receive upon returning home. Advertisement “We were all congratulated after we had our first kills, and that happened to have been mine. My company commander personally congratulated me, as he did everyone else in our company. This is the same individual who had stated that whoever gets their first kill by stabbing them to death will get a four-day pass when we return from Iraq.” Hart Viges was with the 82nd Airborne, part of the invasion in March 2003. He described a house raid where they arrested the wrong men: “We never went on a raid where we got the right house, much less the right person. Not once. I looked at my sergeant, and I was like, ‘Sergeant, these aren’t the men that we’re looking for.’ And he told me, ‘Don’t worry. I’m sure they would have done something anyways.’ And this mother, all the while, is crying in my face, trying to kiss my feet. And, you know, I can’t speak Arabic. I can speak human. She was saying, ‘Please, why are you taking my sons? They have done nothing wrong.’ And that made me feel very powerless. You know, 82nd Airborne Division, Infantry, with Apache helicopters, Bradley fighting vehicles and armor and my M4—I was powerless. I was powerless to help her.” Former Staff Sgt. Camilo Mejia also spoke. After serving in Iraq, he refused to return there. He was court-martialed and spent almost a year in prison. Mejia is now the chairman of IVAW. After he finished the testimony of his experience in Iraq, he laid out the group’s demands: “We have over a million Iraqi dead. We have over 5 million Iraqis displaced. We have close to 4,000 dead [Americans]. We have close to 60,000 injured. That’s not even counting the post-traumatic stress disorder and all the other psychological and emotional scars that our generation is bringing home with them. War is dehumanizing a whole new generation of this country and destroying the people in the country of Iraq. In order for us to reclaim our humanity as a military and as a country, we demand the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all troops from Iraq, care and benefits for all veterans, and reparations for the Iraqi people so they can rebuild their country on their terms.” As we enter the sixth year of the war in Iraq, more time than the U.S. was involved in World War II, we should honor the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, by listening to them. © 2008 Amy Goodman Distributed by King Features Syndicate Elsewhere: . CommentsAre you a Truthdig member yet? Login now, or register with Truthdig. Add Your Comment
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By Rainee, March 25, 2008 at 3:06 am #
I agree with a lot of what you’re saying but I strongly advise you to go to http://www.democracynow.org and watch the videos of Winter Soldier. I know it made me cry and feel entirely helpless but at the same time it reminded me why I’m an activist and why I care so much about making a difference.
I was actually having a conversation with somebody the other day about realising that my struggle to make a better world may not and probably will not be recieved in my lifetime. It’s about a continuous srtuggle that over the generations will gradually make a difference. And that’s a harsh reality but it’s one I’m willing to face. So I say, go out and join Anti-War groups and don’t feel intimidated by the police/security agencies. Don’t just say, “Well we’re pretty much screwed so oh well.”
Do something. Even if it takes 100 years.
Report thisBy Bill Blackolive, March 23, 2008 at 1:14 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Amy, but remember, the root is at this moment 9/11 and what is covered by our government. Hey, fortunately we have something to grab onto. One thousand screaming at patriotsquestion9/11, more engineers than anyone but hey, Sharon Stone and beautiful people, Lou Dobbs the fathead gone bold, firemen who contact Michael Moorer, and more, and also many more coming. It is well past opportunity to crash corporate TV.
Report thisBy Nickelthrower, March 22, 2008 at 6:14 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
We are ruled by War Criminals and there is nothing you can do about it.
You could refuse to support the war by not paying taxes but, well, you’d quickly find out that that avenue leads directly to jail. You could join an antiwar organization but, as we’ve discovered, they are infiltrated if not downright run by the police or the FBI.
We could all spontaneously take to the streets but you would quickly learn that not having access to food and fuel would quickly settle us all down. We’re no longer a group of armed rural farmers but, instead, we are city dwellers and we are totally at the mercy of the corporate structure for the basic necessities and it appears to me that the movers and shakers fully support this war.
So, here is the question: what will we do to end this war and bring these criminals, to include most in the 4th Estate, to justice? Wait ‘til the next election? Yeah, right.
Welcome to the Slave State.
Report thisBy racetoinfinity, March 21, 2008 at 7:11 pm #
Thanks for this wonderful column and even greater thanks to The Winter Soldiers. Believe me, these kinds of stories and statistics will NEVER appear in the over-consolidated big corporate MSM. These are shocking stories, even after having had our eyes opened during the Viet Nam war!
Report thisBy sorry to offend, March 21, 2008 at 1:28 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Ryan Hartman,
As a followup to my post and a comment toward yours:
Our (Americans) biggest and most powerful protest against these wars and against our government’s actions in the world SHOULD be “Not Signing up for the Military”.
Force our leaders and politician to draft and force us to kill. You will then see the kids and the rest of the population protesting and refusing to go along with the program.
We have an internal prehistoric drive that kept our species alive. Through years of evolution, our species needed this drive and instinct to hunt and kill to eat. It is that same joy and excitment that the general male population gets when they are watching or cheering their football, hockey, boxing or indy crash for that matter. Am I changing the subject here? No, I have simply accepted that many of us control that drive within us. However, many more of us tune into it watching or playing sports to satisfy that pleasure. Also, many of us (soldiers who enlist)take it one step further and are attracted to that notion of beign that “hunter”, that powerful person in charge and above the other, the stronger one etc…who is willing to put themselves in a certain situation or position which knowingly may led to killing another human being.
Personally, I will get more excited and more involved in protest if we are forced to enlist (draft)and then to participate in these actions.
You want to put a face to our enemy so our young kids could understand that the enemy is not always our enemy but people like you and I. Yes, this is a good idea. However, when many of the youth (majority males) join up regardless, I hope that you finally one day stop blaming our media or ignorance and come to realize that blame comes right down our very children and down to our innerselves. You must remember that it is our kids that grow older and become our leaders in office and in the military.
I do seem to have a bleak outlook or take on this but when one accepts personal responsibility and stops blaming another the world seems to become a little clearer and easier to absorb.
Report thisWhen one realizes that the Bush Haters and Bashers and supposely peace seekers are actually satisfying that intenal urge and excitement by their very actions and high energetic hateful conversations, one will realize that evolution will take much much more time to shape human behavior to a more peaceful society.
By RyanHartman, March 21, 2008 at 8:55 am #
It is very important that these proceedings are played everywhere; every school, in the mall, in parks. People are not going to take to the streets until something like this is in their face constantly.
http://www.ryanhartman.wordpress.com
Report thisBy 1twenty1, March 20, 2008 at 11:23 pm #
Thanks for the link ZG. You Rock!
Report thisBy sorry to offend, March 20, 2008 at 8:08 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Since this Iraq / American war is enlist only, there has been no men or women forced to join the military service life. What did these soldiers expect war to be like? Did they simply join the forces to get an education or a uniform? Many of the soldiers there now joined up after the war started. So, what does that tell you? The goal and rule number one task in war is to kill. People join up to be soldiers to be killers or to “kick some ass” or to gain that image and hoping that they will not have to do the task themselves. It is as simple as that. If they joined simply to get an education and they did not have the funds otherwise, they made a bad decision in life and were not too bright in the first place. They took a gamble on the tax payers and lost. They should have applied for a grant or a loan instead.
Lets not forget how hungry the population was to get our revenge after 9/11/01. Afghanistan was the perfect medicine. Somehow the enemy is now given a name like the Taliban or the Terrorists or Hamas. But, when the surveys are done, they seem to always show that the population is against the foreign occupying army. Why? It is because they are at war against THEM. So, I repeat soldiers join up knowing and wanting to kill and fight. I do not buy that they want to join up to serve their country or to do their duty or to protect our nation. Lets be honest with ourselves that they joined up to be soldiers. A soldier’s basic job and function is to kill they should not have joined if they did not want to be soldiers.
To make it clear. I am not for wars, killing innocents or even killing opposing military personal. If the purpose of exposing or simply defining actions of war is to end these two wars, fine. Let the blind people at home see and hear the real stories of war. Let us, though, start opening the blind eyes of the soldiers mothers that believe that a soldier job is to guard and protect the nation. Hello, how does one accomplish this feat unless a little killing and man handling is done? And, no we can not wait until the enemy is here and do this dirty deed here in our own country. No, we must do it before it hits home. So, we go do our dirty work in their country or region. So, for seven years we have been feeding our war machine and keeping the companies that fuel our wars, with their produce, well oiled.
So, Jon Michael Turner got his first confirmed kill by killing a fat innocent man. He put another bullet in the big guy to finish him off. He then got congratulated by his commanding officer but did not get a four day pass because he did not stab him to death. Why do you feel guilty or bad about your actions? When the fat mans brother or friend picks up a rifle to avenge his death, will they be considered the enemy then? Are they fair game to kill? Would you have enjoyed or been more satisfied if you would have had the opportunity to kill them instead? They would have been the guilty enemy and you joined the service to kill the enemy. War is hell and never nice and I could sympathize with drafted war vets. I could also sympathize with vets who freak out and can not handle the reality that they got themselves into. But, let us and them not forget the true reasons that they joined up. Auto mechanics work on cars. IT folks work on computers. Pilots fly planes. Soldiers may do all the above but they all contribute to the first and foremost and their primary and basic training - killing thy enemy. If today, your commander in chief or your personal company commander says a fat tub of lard family man is thy enemy, today he is thy enemy. Welcome to reality and to the service boy you should have known this in basic training camp.
Report thisBy YIKES, March 20, 2008 at 3:57 pm #
Thank you Amy.
Your shows have been gut-wrenching to watch but necessary. The truth hurts. You are the only one, now, to show us the truth. Please,,,,keep marching on.
Report thisBy amunaor, March 20, 2008 at 3:04 pm #
It is absolutely disgusting that the corporate sponsored news media continues to remain silent on this very important event, as they continue to wag their self-righteous hypocritical finger of demonization at others, to advance their psychologically planted global war on terror, a war for profit and plunder.
Their feigned motto here is not so much a support for the troops, as it is support for the corporate bottom-line and the merchants of death!
Peace, Best Wishes and Hope
Report thisBy C Quil, March 20, 2008 at 2:53 pm #
I’ve been listening to the Winter Soldier broadcasts all week. It doesn’t surprise me that the MSM isn’t carrying them. It would show that what passes for news on most of their stations is complete drivel.
But I can’t understand why they don’t carry this stuff. Even without their help, most Americans don’t support this war. Can you imagine what their market share would be (if you’re going to look at it in purely business terms) if they actually told the truth?
I get the Democracy Now podcast and listen every day if I get the chance. Brilliant stuff.
Report thisBy amunaor, March 20, 2008 at 2:25 pm #
In the words of John McCain: F—- You!
In the words of Dick Cheney: So What
In the words of a xenophobic god, crusader Bush:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tk1vEuhBuEU
Peace, Best Wishes and Hope
Report thisBy amunaor, March 20, 2008 at 2:15 pm #
AMEN!
Peace, Best Wishes and Hope
Report thisBy Aegrus, March 20, 2008 at 11:03 am #
Shame on all our news outlets for not covering this event.
New York Times, your articles are no longer relevant.
Same goes for the Washington Post, Boston Globe and even parts of the Associated Press. I actually read today there were major media crews which did set up at the Winter Soldier grounds, but packed up and left when the veterans began speaking about their war experience.
Cowards! Gutless, celebrity worshiping, big-business pass-giving, shock-jock yellow journalists!! You have failed to do your civic duty, and every one of our major news outlets should be dissolved, bankrupted and put on trial for aiding the destruction of America in the name of Greed!
SHAME!
Report thisBy Expat, March 20, 2008 at 8:10 am #
^ and I cannot listen any more. It just hurts too much. We’ve effectively crippled another generation.
Report thisBy Purple Girl, March 20, 2008 at 6:35 am #
WE have once again allowed our selfless troops to be sent to defend a corrupt policy. They have been placed in the most dangerous of regions- a Region infamous for millenia long grudges and heinous crimes against mankind in the name of a Diety. Anyone who has studied the ME knew the minute our Kids boots hit the ground they were in far more danger than the Corp Lobbists in the WH would admit. WE knew once again they would die for a Profiteers war for a natural Resource (a Gift given to mankind).Invading Afghanistan was Unnecesary, and fool hearty. Iraq was an blanant travesty against our soldiers commitment and Oathe. Tehn to aid insult to injury this ‘Gov’t’ sent in mercenaries to futher insite the enemy and cause the deaths of our honorable servicemen(and woman).
Report thisWE want our Military released from the hands of these Corrupt entites- let their ‘For Hire’ murders do their dirty Work- BUT TAKE DOWN OUR FLAG as to not confuse the real advesaries of the Middle Easterners. Let those who kill for Money- not for Honor remain the targets of the ‘radicals’ for they are working for the Organizations who assisted their own leaders in placing them on the Auction block. This has never been a War began by US, but by THEM- Their Unethical Immoral Business Practices and World Market Stratedgies have infuriated the masses over there and over Here. These Organizatins and Enterprises Must defend themselves for their atrocities, for they have NO Allegience to any Nation or People. REmove OUR Flags from your Headquaters and offices- off your uniforms and you lips-You do Not Represent US!
By amunaor, March 20, 2008 at 12:51 am #
Doesn’t surprise me that msm ignored this. Sean Hannity & O’Reily of Fixed-News, spew vile slander when they catch a black reverend condemning their self righteousness. How do you think they would react if they were forced to face their own children, psychologically traumatized for a few gold coins in the pockets of corporate egos?
Peace, Best Wishes and Hope
Report thisBy troublesum, March 20, 2008 at 12:37 am #
The war will end when congress cuts off funding for it and not until. If people want to end this war they will have to pressure congress to stop funding it. None of the three remaining presidential candidates wants to cut off funding which means that the war will go on and on. People are always asked to rate the president and congress on how good a job they are doing but no one ever asks how good a job the people are doing. 70% want out of the war but we don’t seem to care that no one is listening to us.
Report thisThe war in Vietnam ended when congress cut off the funding. Congress refused Ford’s final two requests for more money and the last of the troops had to be pulled out. This war will be brought to an end the same way. We should harrass our congress members until they comply with the wishes of the majority.
By Jon, March 19, 2008 at 11:45 pm #
I hear you Amy, what else can we do at this point.
Report thisBy 1twenty1, March 19, 2008 at 10:35 pm #
The mother and father that testified about their son who hung himself was heartbreaking. I broke down and cried. The VA would only roll some pills his way and would not admit him for extended treatment. His parents showed tremendous courage in their testimony.
The other soldiers testifying to killing old women and children was equally sickening. These are indeed the darkest days in our history. I wonder if we will ever know how many Iraqi people have lost their lives as a result of this immoral invasion and occupation?
George Bush, Dick Cheney, et al. are the guiltiest free men walking the planet.
I have not cut my hair in protest now for nearly two years. It seems to be working as well as anybody elses strategy in ending this putrid, blasphemous, sickening, sinkhole of a war.
Report thisBy troublesum, March 19, 2008 at 8:24 pm #
A change in consciousness must come before all else. The person in Iraq being shot at by an American soldier or being blown up by a suicide bomber is me. Until we think that way all our talk about peace is useless and that kind of thinking changes things more than any president or prime minister can.
Report thisA person who thinks that way will not kill another innocent person even at gun point.
By troublesum, March 19, 2008 at 8:09 pm #
I do not mean to say that these soldiers should lacerate themselves mentally or physically over this. Anyone who wasn’t there doesn’t know what it was like. However, there is no end to it. If more had been done about the Vietnam atrocities, they wouldn’t have occured in Iraq. It is ignorant to think of oneself as an American. We are either citizens of the world or we are doomed.
Report thisBy troublesum, March 19, 2008 at 7:08 pm #
Since the msm ignored the Winter Soldier conference, it was probably right for democracynow to cover it, but I think the graphic descriptions of the crimes were too much and I couldn’t listen to them. Secondly, I believe that being Americans the soldiers felt that all they had to do was offer a few words of oppology to exonerate themselves. Anyone but an American soldier who went on tv and admitted to killing another innocent person would be arrested and brought to trial. What has this country become?
Report thisBy weather, March 19, 2008 at 6:38 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
please, you’re a gift. I used to take your caliber of integrity for granted.
Report thisBy GrammaConcept, March 19, 2008 at 6:19 pm #
May we All soon know more
Report thisof our One Common Source
so that no more
will we be blind…..
May our angles of vision become
as varied and clear as the crystals
which grow in the caves…
Lovingly..
Firmly..
Eternally..
confronting the darkness…..