(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=5czCEMlPC4Gov8GEv4rSXnXsWCcLrw6P)
Another Anniversary - 11 full years of war in Afghanistan , and the
travesty continues
Another Anniversary - 11 full years of war in Afghanistan , and the
travesty continues to wreck havoc on our military and those who love them. It
continues to wreck havoc on the multitude of Afghan families who have endured
endless war over 4 decades. Lives and limbs lost, billions spent and
wasted, have not made the lives of Americans or Afghans safer or better.
Sunday, October 7th marks the beginning of the Afghanistan War 11 years
ago. We now enter our 12th year of war – the longest U.S. war in history.
We must remember all those who die or lose limbs on a daily basis by
stepping on an ever growing number of IEDs – 2012 sets a record for IEDS
planted
by the enemy.
We must remember those who have lost their lives or been injured by “green
on blue” attacks – attacks on our military by the Afghan Army and Afghan
Police – the people we are there to help. To date, in 2012 51 coalition
forces (mostly Americans) have been killed by our “partners”.
We must remember our active duty troops and veterans, who have taken their
own lives in ever increasing numbers. As Americans, we must consider what
has gone wrong, why are our troops taking their own lives in such large
numbers. We can no longer turn a blind eye to the reality of war – to the
human and economic costs of war.
Participate in a demonstration this coming weekend, Oct 5-7, the
anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan . Demand an end to America’s
longest war.
_Click here _
(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=HB1i4c0h/wnxOHU4FqxSSHXsWCcLrw6P)
to find an event in your area or create one of
your own.
The latest illustration of what has gone wrong in Afghanistan was
expressed by Staff Sergeant Matthew Sitton, now deceased, in a recent email to
his
Congressman Rep Bill Young, R-Fla. Click here for full text of Sitton’s
email:
_http://nation.time.com/2012/09/25/walking-through-a-minefield-on-a-daily-basis/
_
(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=dTo6WCFqzwZuMRzZGR2JNHXsWCcLrw6P)
Excerpts from Sitton’s email:
“I am writing you because I am concerned for the safety of my soldiers…
I know the threat of casualties in war and am totally on board with
sacrifice for my country, but what I do not agree with is the chain of command
making us walk through — for lack of a better term — basically a minefield
on a daily basis.
There is no end state or purpose for the patrols given to us from our
higher chain of command, only that we will be out for a certain period of time.
“ As a brigade, we are averaging at a minimum an amputee a day from our
soldiers because we are walking around aimlessly through grape rows and
compounds that are littered with explosives, not to mention that the operating
tempo that every soldier is on leaves little to no time for rest and refit.
The morale and alertness levels on our patrols are low, and it is causing
casualties left and right…”
Thank you again for allowing soldiers to voice their opinion. If anything,
please pray for us.
Less than 2 months later on August 2, Sitton, 26, was killed by an IED
explosion. Sitton leaves behind a wife and nine-month old son.
SSG Matthew Sitton, pictured with wife Sarah and newborn son Brodey
Participate in a demonstration this coming weekend, Oct 5-7, the
anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan . Demand an end to America’s
longest war.
_Click here to find an event in your area or create your own._
(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=tne0X4p7Yvp7al6DsokFOnXsWCcLrw6
P)
It is important to get involved – support the troops by letting your voice
be heard. Please consider:
* A call or attendance at events asking your Congressional and Senate
representatives to end the war in Afghanistan now
* Send an email to the President & Vice President
* Write a Letter to the Editor – local papers want to publish your
thoughts about the war
* Join us, and many others, in rallys across the country demanding
and end to war
Participate in a demonstration this coming weekend, Oct 5-7, the
anniversary of the invasion of Afghanistan. Demand an end to America's longest
war.
_Click here to find an event in your area or create your own._
(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=+Auf+04qDVIn4UapFKYAA3XsWCcLrw6P)
In Struggle-
Michael McPhearson
National Coordinator
_Ps: Please support the work of UFPJ! We must keep fighting!_
(http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=EfiJPEaA64ddCRmrvDIeQnXsWCcLrw6P
)
============================================================================
==
* National Immigrant Solidarity Network, Peace NO War Network and Action
LA Network are PROUD Member and Coordinating Committee Member of UFPJ!
Lee Siu Hin
National Coordinator
National Immigrant Solidarity Network _http://www.ImmigrantSolidarity.org_
(http://www.immigrantsolidarity.org/)
Action LA Network _http://www.ActionLA.org_ (http://www.actionla.org/)
Peace NO War Network _http://www.PeaceNOWar.net_
(http://www.peacenowar.net/)
Activist Video Service _http://www.ActivistVideo.org_
(http://www.activistvideo.org/)
New York : (212)330-8172
Los Angeles : (213)403-0131
Washington D.C. : (202)595-8990
Chicago : (773)942-2268
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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