Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan March 12, 2008

WHAT: Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan will give veterans and service
members the chance to speak out and share their experiences about what is really
happening, day in and day out in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The four-day event in Washington, D.C. will bring together veterans and service
members from across the country to testify about their experiences in Iraq and
Afghanistan - and present video and photographic evidence. There also will be
panels of scholars, veterans, journalists, and others to give context to the
testimony.
As the event is taking place in Washington, groups all over the country will be
gathering to watch the testimony live via audio and video feed.
WHEN: Thursday March 13 to Sunday March 16
WHERE: National Labor College, 10000 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring,
MD (just outside of Washington, D.C.)
WHY: In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote: “These are the times that try men’s souls.
The summer soldier and sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service
of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and
woman.”
In 1971, a courageous group of veterans exposed the criminal nature of the
Vietnam War in an event called Winter Soldier. Once again, we will create a space
for veterans to make their voices heard.
Americans have heard from the generals, they've heard from the politicians,
they've heard from the media – now it’s our turn. It is our responsibility to share
the realities of the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, and show how these
occupations are breaking our soldiers and destroying our military.
And once and for all, we must show that soldiers are not criminals, this war is
criminal.
HOW: To find out more about Winter Soldier visit www.ivaw.org/wintersoldier
or contact IVAW at 215- 241-7123, wintersoldier@ivaw.org. Members of the
media should visit www.ivaw.org/wintersoldier/media or contact Emilie Surrusco
at 202-253-7298, emilie@ivaw.org.