Three returning combat Iraq veterans arrested at Fort Benning - Iraq Veterans Against the War continue to speak - are we listening?

IVAW members were arrested while attempting to enter Ft. Benning to speak with members on the base.



Adam Kokesh, IVAW (Iraq Veterans Against the War) was arrested after entering Fort Benning to check on fellow members, Liam Madden and Nate Lewis.

All three face a hearing for criminal trespassing - July 27, 2007

These three are returning Iraq veterans:

Sgt Liam Madden, U.S. Marine
Liam served as a Communications Electronics Specialist in the Marine Corps from January 2003 to January 2007. While enlisted he was deployed to Iraq, Kuwait, Thailand, Okinawa, Japan, and Korea. During his last year in the Marines, Sergeant Madden co-founded the Appeal for Redress, a campaign of service members demanding that congress halt the war in Iraq.

Sgt Adam Kokesh, U.S. Marine, Served in: MCRD San Diego, CA Camp Pendleton, CA Fort Sill, OK Camp Fallujah, Iraq Rock ASP, Iraq Fallujah Peninsula, Iraq Fallujah Liaison Team CMOC, Iraq Camp Lejeune, NC
(You can read more about Adam Kokesh at his own blog )

Nathan Lewis, U.S. Army returning Iraq veteran.

All three are returning Iraq veterans with military base privileges and appropriate identifications. For more detail about how military bases view 'protesters' at the gates of military installations, and when those protesters are the troops themselves .....

detail account of this arrest at Veterans for Common Sense;

News Archives

July 1, 2007 - Three Iraq war protesters were arrested Sunday evening after crossing onto Fort Benning property.

Liam Madden and Nate Lewis, both 24, were taken into custody by military police shortly before 6 p.m. for stepping onto federal property, according to post spokeswoman Monica Manganaro. A third unidentified protester was also detained for committing the same infraction approximately 30 minutes after Madden and Lewis were arrested, Manganaro added.

Lewis and Madden, both members of Iraq Veterans Against the War, were charged with criminal trespass. They, along with six other members of the anti-war organization, are currently on a bus tour protesting military bases around the country and speaking to soldiers. The group's tour bus was parked outside the stone gate on Fort Benning Road off Victory Drive, Manganaro said.

Michael Blake, 24, of Iraq Veterans Against the War, said his comrades didn't break the law intentionally. They simply crossed a line that wasn't clearly marked, he said.

"What they were doing is they were going to step up to the guard and ask him if they could come onto base," Blake said. "It was a complete accident."

Manganaro said she didn't know the specifics of the incident, but the law is clear when it comes to protesting on military installations: It's illegal.

"If individuals are protesting outside a military installation and they come onto the installation, they've broken a law."

Manganaro said the protesters were given a verbal warning not to come onto the property.

Blake said Madden and Lewis are both veterans with valid Veterans Affairs cards and should be allowed onto the post. As soon as the protestors crossed the line, Blake said, two military police officers approached them, cuffed them and charged them.

This isn't the first incident of Iraq Veterans Against the War protestors being detained for bringing their message to military installations.

According to the group's Web site, five members were handcuffed Saturday morning at Fort Jackson in South Carolina after attempting to meet a fellow member on base for lunch. They were wearing T-shirts with "Iraq Veterans Against the War" and because of that they were considered protesters, Blake said.

None of the members were arrested that day, but they were removed from the base, Blake said.

In addition to the handful of anti-war Iraq veteran protestors traveling from base-to-base, a small crew of film makers from the Showtime Network is also on hand to document their journey. Blake said their presence, however, had nothing to do with Sunday evening's proceedings.

"We had no plan to go on base unauthorized," Blake said. "We're all pretty upset. We didn't come here to make trouble."

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Santa Moncia, CA - third city of Iraq Veteran's Against the War (IVAW) Operation First Casualty - Seattle next?

First it was Washington DC, in March 2007 on fourth anniversary of Iraq war (photos on this blog). Then it was Manhattan, New York in May 2007 on Memorial Day (video on this blog). And the third city is Santa Monica, California in June 2007 in what looks to be a series of U.S. cities being given a taste of the almost too realistic Operation First Casualty, street theater. Real returning Iraq veterans of the organization IraqVeterans Against the War re-enact how they have done their jobs in Iraq.

Civilians go about their usual activities of the day and register startling surprise as they see soldiers in camouflage pointing with their hands in pantomine of rifles, taking actors prisoner, placing bags over their heads - an occupation being played out, right here in an American city.

Below is another video of Operation First Casualty - Santa Monica, CA; carried out by the Iraq Veterans Against the War. I've been intrigued by the actions of these returning Iraq veterans since they initiated their first 'occupation' of Washington DC in March 2007. As they explain when they carry out these mock, street theater patrols under the premise that 'The first casualty of war is Truth'.

The military has taken notice, read more about Adam Kokesh Hearing. Marines have faulted Adam Kokesh, while the old guard of the VFW has decided to take issue with the military and back Adam Kokesh - wow!

I don't know which city will be next to be treated to a bit of realism of Iraq (beyond the ongoing pro-anti arguments that pass without end or resolve for national dialogue in the media and public discourse) - and I think Seattle or Tacoma or the state capitol of Olympia, home to our U.S. Legislators, would embrace the concept of Operation First Casualty.

As you watch the video and listen to the civilian comments, you can see for yourself how it registers with them in startlement, beyond what the marches, rallies, panels, town halls have seemingly been able to do.

Hooyah Iraq Veterans Against the War - thank you for bringing home and delivering a different kind of message.

Operation First Casualty - Santa Monica, CA

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Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) Takes Manhattan - Operation First Casualty

Returning Iraq veterans send an inspired message via Operation First Casualty. This is their second OFC, with the first being staged in Washington DC in March 2007, on fourth anniversary of Iraq war. Their second OFC, on Memorial Day, May 2007 in Manhattan, New York.

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Washington DC under occupation, IVAW guerrilla street theatre commemorates 4th anniversary Iraq war

In a staged all day guerrilla street theatre production, the Iraq Veterans Against the War, gave an example of what it might be like if Washington DC was 'occupied' by military troops. IVAW - whose members are returning Iraq veterans who have served in combat tours in Iraq - commemorated the 4th anniversary of Iraq war with this staged production in Washington DC, March 19, 2007.

When I saw some of the photos, I was both startled and impressed with the way IVAW chose to share their message. I think you will also be startled, and I hope impressed, by the photos depicting the actions of IVAW. I do wish I had been in DC to see it as I know it would have kept my interest the entire day. I hope IVAW will stage this kind of theatre again, maybe in various local communities. I talked to one of my colleagues in Texas and she thought she might invited them to stage the theatre in her city in Texas.

See additional photos including the mock taking of detainees at IVAW website.
And see More photos - excellent photography with chilling effects.

Also read the 'Far From Iraq; A Demonstration of a War Zone', the Washington Post article and account of the IVAW actions that day in DC. Interesting way WAPO put it together - and gives more detail to some of the photos, and some of the citizen public reactions to what was happening! There is also a short online video posted at WAPO website, along with the article.

photos courtesy of my friend,
Bill Perry, Delaware Valley Veterans For America Disabled American Veteran, VVAW, VFP, VFW, VVA

He was there and has these comments (along with the photos) on the experience:

Truth is the FIRST CASUALTY of WAR

It was a remarkable privilege to witness IVAW running a mission that included interrogations of civilians, taking hostages, and displaying the hostility that an Occupation Force must possess.

IVAW certainly learned from us VVAW Vets of R.A.W. ( Rapid American Withdrawal ) and our Labor Day weekend, 1970 March, from Mooristown, NJ, to Valley Forge, PA.

Our VVAW March had incredibly long stretches thru the countryside, where nobody but pheasants and farm animals saw us, over 3 days.

IVAW's run, from Union Station, Congress, the Nat'l Mall, Wash Monument, etc., only took 8 hours, and garnered worldwide attention.

The varied reactions of passersby ran the gamut: Fear, consternation, shock, appreciation, and many expressed great PRIDE in IVAW's Guerilla Theater.

My favorite moment was when I informed 3 or 400 high school kids, { in the RED Tee-shirts } what the IVAW mission was, and they broke out in wild applause & appreciation.


Securing the Area

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1,000 Servicemen signed Appeal for Redress petition - delivered and read into Congressional Record

More than 1,000 active-duty U.S. military personnel are said to have signed a petition calling for a full U.S. withdrawal from Iraq.

Some 50 active-duty officers and other troops, including veterans of the current Iraq war, announced Tuesday that they would hand-deliver their petition, entitled an "Appeal for Redress," to Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, and other members of Congress, AppealforRedress.org said in a statement Tuesday.

"Rather than escalating troop levels, the appeal calls on Congress to put an end to the war and bring the troops home," the statement said.

"With the recent call for an escalation of troops in Iraq, Congress should listen to those of us who have been there and who will be directly affected by this policy change," said Seaman Jonathan Hutto, co-founder of the Appeal for Redress group.

"Any troop increase over here will just produce more sitting ducks, more targets," said Sgt. Ronn Cantu who is on active service in Iraq and was quoted in the group's statement.

"Under the Military Whistleblower Protection Act (DOD Directive 7050.6) active-duty military, National Guard, and Reservists can file and send a protected communication to a Member of Congress, while off-duty and out of uniform, regarding any subject without fear of reprisal," the statement said.

article at WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 (UPI) --


Photos below from my friend, a Vietnam Veteran, on the East Coast;

Historic "Appeal for Redress", signed by more than 1,000 Active Duty G.I.'s

"As a patriotic American proud to serve the nation in uniform, I respectfully urge my political leaders in Congress to support the prompt withdrawal of all American military forces and bases from Iraq . Staying in Iraq will not work and is not worth the price. It is time for U.S. troops to come home. "

Sgt Liam Madden presents Dennis Kucinich with over 1,000 Active Duty G.I. signatures,
demanding we support our troops by taking the target off their backs, in the Iraq Civil War, and Bring the Troops Home Now, and take care of them when they return.


More than 50 Officers, and 1,000 Enlisted Personnel jeopardized their careers by
courageously demanding "END THE OCCUPATION" !





Liam Madden, Kent Gneiting, Del Val Vet Bill Perry, GILDA CARBONARO, MD * Gilda's son, Sgt Alex Carbonaro , 28, died May 10, 2006, at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, from wounds received while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Al Anbar province, Iraq, on May 1, 2006. Nancy Lessin & Charley Richardson, of Military Families Speak Out, Eliot Adams, & Sam Adams



Kelly Dougherty, Executive Director of IVAW and former MP,
with active duty vet, KG.

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'The Ground Truth' premiered in Seattle; a newly released dvd - please share widely

The weekend of September 15, 16 and 17th, a film called "The Ground Truth" premiered premier in cities around the country. It is about the hidden toll of the war in Iraq, and features returned Iraq War Veterans and military family members telling "the ground truth" about the war. The film played to rave reviews at the Sundance and other film festivals around the country.

The eight cities it will be opening in are LA, NYC, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington, DC, Boston, Austin, and Seattle. In addition to these areas, there will be screenings of the film in several other cities around the country. For more detailed info regarding all of the showings, theaters and dates/showtimes, as well as to view the film’s trailer, go to www.thegroundtruth.net .

If you would like to purchase the DVD of The Ground Truth, you can do so at http://groundtruthstore.seenon.com/?pa=mfso, and a donation will go to Military Families Speak Out for each DVD sold through that web address.

Please spread the word about this important film so that we can create an appropriate national dialogue about the war in Iraq and educate the American public about the devastating – and often hidden -- toll of this war.

Here is an excerpt from The Ground Truth's promotional materials:

"Hailed by Sundance filmgoers as "powerful" and "quietly unflinching," Patricia Foulkrod's searing documentary feature includes exclusive footage that will stun audiences. The filmmaker's subjects are patriotic young Americans, articulating their stories on-camera - stories that must be heard.The stories are those of a half-dozen American heros, ordinary men and women who heeded the call for military service. The Ground Truth charts recruitment and training, combat, homecoming, and the struggle to reintegrate with families and communities. The terrible conflict in Iraq, depicted with ferocious honesty in the film, is a prelude for the even more challenging battles fought by the soldiers returning home - with personal demons, an uncomprehending public, and an indifferent government. As these battles take shape, each soldier becomes a new kind of hero, bearing witness and giving support to other veterans, and learning to fearlessly wield the most powerful weapon of all -- the truth."

This is an excerpt from what the film's director wrote about the film:

"I tried to create a film that might blow the yellow ribbons off...and encourage people to really wrap their arms around our soldiers and their families. I wanted us to sit with the broken hearts and troubled minds of these young veterans, so we can take responsibility for their suffering that is being experienced in our name. And most important, I wanted to share with all Americans the profound wisdom these young men and women have to impart. Their first step to healing is our listening."

Thank you.

In Peace and Solidarity,

Lietta Ruger

Military Families Speak Out - Washington state chapter coordinator

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The Pentagon Five - Camp Democracy, Washington DC

Five young men, Iraq Veterans, were Arrested at the Pentagon this week, because one of them set down some flyers about Depleted Uranium. Source URL's: http://campdemocracy.org/ http://campdemocracy.org/node/349 http://www.campdemocracy.org/sites/campdemocracy.org/files/downloads/pentagon5.wmv

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Iraq Veterans Against the War Kicked Off Their Amazing Tour in Boston Today

Axis of Logic



By Les Blough, EditorJan 30, 2005, 18:44



Today, January 30, 2005, Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) kicked off their Iraq Veterans Tour in Massachusetts with a powerful, moving and inspiring presentation to a packed house at historic Fanueil Hall in Downtown Boston. We were there to learn more and to cover the story. Throughout the 2 hour presentation, I noted that there were few dry eyes among about 800 members who attended.



As we passed out flyers outside famous Quincy Market prior to the event, I also noted that a very high percentage of passersby expressed gratitude for our work and commented about their opposition to the war in Iraq. This was a striking change from the reception we have experienced in the past at such protests. Based upon this very limited experience and impressions gained through media and daily correspondence, it appears that a sea-change is occurring in the United States as more and more people become disgusted with the great misadventure that is the Bush/Neocon war on the people of Iraq.



The IVAW Tour is sponsored by Military Families Speak Out and Bring The Troops Home Now, Veterans for Peace, and locally by United for Justice With Peace. The tour is comprised of a coalition of dozens of campus, youth, community, and labor organizations.



Nancy Lessin, Co-Founder with Charley Richardson of Military Families Speak Out chaired the meeting and began by introducing Chuck Turner, who stands apart as the courageous and effective member of the Boston City Council. Councilman Turner was greeted and thanked for his help in organising the event. He opened the meeting with a riveting message about how money is being diverted from education, health care and the needs of the community for the war in Iraq. He spoke of the losses to schools and the entire infrastructure of public education in the U.S. for the advantages of a wealthy elite and their dreams of empire.



Kelly Dougherty, 26, spent 10 months in Iraq as a Sergeant with her National Guard unit, the 220th Military Police Company. She is a cofounder of Iraq Veterans Against the War.



"When we first arrived in Iraq, part of what struck me was the poverty and desperation of the Iraqi people... I believe that as long as the U.S. continues to occupy Iraq, the Iraqis will continue to fight against us."



Kelly said that at the end of her tour she saw even greater poverty than that which was caused by the 1991 invasion and 10 years of devastating sanctions on Iraq. She spoke of how she served in the National Guard in Colorado for 8 years before being activated to go to Iraq. She told of how prior to the war in Iraq, her unit served the United States in national disasters such as the Columbine High School tragedy. She spoke of the losses of National Guard service to the American people because they are being diverted to the war on the Iraqi people



Michael Hoffman, 25, was a Lance Corporal in a Marine Corps artillery battery during the March 2003 invasion of Iraq and is a cofounder of Iraq Veterans Against the War.



"On the way to Baghdad, I saw bodies by the road, many in civilian clothing. Every time a car got near my Humvee, everyone inside braced themselves, not knowing if gunfire would suddenly erupt out of it. When your enemy is unclear, everyone becomes your enemy."



Michael spoke of the senseless killing of Iraqi people and the wasted lives of young men and women who have been sent there to fight. His message was singular and clear: Support the troops by bringing them home now.



A young man and veteran of the war in Iraq spoke of his duties as a chaplain’s assistant and of his twin brother, killed in action in Iraq. He told what it is like to "look loved ones in the eye and tell them their son or daughter won’t be coming home". He spoke tenderly of his loss of his twin brother and asked what why he fought and died.



A 17 year old young woman spoke tearfully of her father who was activated to serve in Iraq and read one of his poetic letters to her and her mother about waking in a military camp to the sounds of sparrows singing, mixed with the sounds of war machinery. Breaking down time and again throughout her talk, she talked about how much she misses him and how much he wants only to come home.



A sister in the Lucey Family from Belchertown, MA told the heart-breaking story of her brother who served in the Marine Corps in Iraq. She said he went to Iraq as a vibrant young man with dreams of obtaining an education, a career and a future. She described him as a child who was in the Cub Scouts and loved to play sports. He came home to a wonderful reunion with his family and "everything seemed normal". Her brother went back to school to complete his education, but "he wasn’t the same". She said that she first noticed a change in him at their first Christmas after he returned. In a conversation with her, he broke down, threw dogtags on the floor and cried out, "You don’t understand. I’m a murderer!" He was unable to sleep nights, developed anxiety and began to drink heavily. He and his family sought help for him with the VA and other medical providers but were unable to obtain assistance. While she and her mother were working at a camp for disadvantaged children in Maine, her father called them to tell them that her brother committed suicide in their home. She pointed out that there are many veterans of this war like her brother who are not counted in the body and casualty counts. But they are casualties of the war in Iraq, nonetheless.



The young sister’s story was followed by her father, Mr. Lucey who lost his only son in the war. He spoke against the war based on lies and for the purpose of stealing the oil reserves from the Iraqi people.



Rose Gentle, one of the founders of Military Families Against the War told how her son, Gordon Gentle was killed in Iraq on June 28th, 2004.



A young woman with a 2 year old child told of how her 46 year old mother was activated from the reserves and sent to Iraq for 545 days. "545 days is a long time", she said. She spoke of her mother’s letters in which she tells how she does not believe the U.S. military is serving any good purpose in Iraq and how she wants only to come home. She told of how she misses her mother and wants her to come home to her 2 grandchildren. In a recent letter her mother told her that she is afraid she will never her daughter and grandchildren again.



Another member of Military Families Speak Out described the deceit and manipulation used by Military Recruiters in our schools and communities. She spoke of her son who served and her nephew who is in Iraq right now, fearing for his life.



There were other tearful stories from these young people who courageously toured the U.K. and now the U.S. with a single, heart-felt message: "Bring the troops home now, after 1430 of them have been killed, thousands wounded and 100,000 innocent Iraqis dead. Bring the troops home now before one more has lost his or her life in a war that is being waged in the interest of a wealthy few and for the failing U.S. empire. Read other stories of soldiers and their families who oppose the war in Iraq at Military Families Speak Out



The Axis of Logic Group urges every reader to attend this important tour when it comes to a community near you and to support Iraq Veterans Against the War with your donations.



© Copyright 2005 by AxisofLogic.com



The IVAW Mission (Iraq Veterans Against the War)



Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) is a group of veterans who have served since September 11th, 2001 including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. We are committed to saving lives and ending the violence in Iraq by an immediate withdrawal of all occupying forces. We also believe that the governments that sponsored these wars are indebted to the men and women who were forced to fight them and must give their Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen the benefits that are owed to them upon their return home.



We welcome all active duty, national guard, reservists, and recent veterans into our ranks. Confidentiality can be assured. To join IVAW please send an email to join IVAW join@ivaw.net



The IVAW Tour schedule in Massachusetts:



Sun Jan 30 Fanueil Hall, Boston 3-5pm

Mon Jan 31 Salem State College 11am-1pm

Mon Jan 31 Endicott College, Beverly 2-5pm

Mon Jan 31 Lynn, MA 6:30-9:30pm

Tues Feb 1 South End, Boston 3:30-6pm

Tues Feb 1 M.I.T. Cambridge 4:30-6pm

Tues Feb 1 Roxbury 7-9pm

Tues Feb 1 Bridgewater State College 7-9pm

Wed Feb 2 UMass Lowell Noon-2pmWed Feb 2

UMass Boston 2:30-5pm

Wed Feb 2 Tufts, Somerville 7-9pm

Wed Feb 2 Northeastern Univ, Boston 7-9pm

Thu Feb 3 B.U. Law School 5-6:30pm

Thu Feb 3 Chelsea 7:30-9:30pm

Fri Feb 4 Roxbury Community College 11:30am-1pm

Fri Feb 4 Harvard Univ, Cambridge 4-6pm

Fri Feb 4 Watertown 7-9pmSun Feb 6 Boston 11am-Noon

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Iraq Veterans Against the War, new website, Soldiers Speak Out



Proud that Iraq Veterans Against the War has formed a website. These are Iraq Veterans of the George W. Bush war now in Iraq as well as the previous George Bush war in Iraq.



See their website, hear their story at



Iraq Veterans Against the War



You go soldiers. I have been a proud member of Military Families Speak Out and doing what I can to Speak Out. See their site at



Military Families Speak Out



We have 2 soldiers in our family that have been deployed to Iraq, served their 12 months and were extended serving 15 months in Iraq, 1st Armored. At this time it is my understanding that they will be deployed again to Iraq by Oct 2005. This President means Perpetual War.

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