Iraq War Veterans Presence in D.C. Unreported

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0926-31.htm

The New York Times (Sept. 25, 2005) and much of the other news coverage of Saturday's anti-war demonstration in Washington, D.C. failed to note the presence of a particularly knowledgeable group of protestors - recently-returned veterans of the war in Iraq.

Gathered behind a wide banner reading "Iraq Veterans Against the War," approximately fifty men and women in desert camouflage uniforms or IAVW T-shirts spoke with a handful of reporters before moving out to take their place in the miles-long march though the city streets and past the White House. Short-haired, neat and polite, they answered questions with a seriousness and conviction born of their first-hand experiences with the war.

Elizabeth Spradlin, an attractive Colorado Springs native with straight neck-length brown hair, spoke with quiet intensity of her year in Iraq. It began in March, 2003, when she was part of the invasion force moving from Kuwait to Baghdad.

"Going into that country, immediately they were welcoming, wanting us there. And over the course of three months we basically caused so much trouble in the area we were in. We didn't have interpreters. We were not helping them re-build their country. We were just driving around with our vehicles with guns, not communicating with them in any way, just basically occupying their space, their country. And they kept on coming to us asking us to help them re-build and -- based on my personal experience -- we weren't doing anything to help them."

[liberaliraqvet26]

1. Yes, I know I was one of them...

ragininmiami has some great pictures, I hope he gets online and posts them soon.

[MaggieSwanson]

2. Thank you. n/t

[tives12]

3. Thank you

:D

[leftchick]

4. Did I photograph you?

Were you near Cindy's Camp Casey III on saturday Early? I took a pic of three Iraq Vets there. I will try and post them tomorrow. Thank you for you courage.

The Sunday WaPo actually had some damn good coverage for a change. With interviews with at least one Iraq war Vet.

peace,
lc

[liberaliraqvet26]

5. probably

[RagingInMiami]

6. What's up, man

Here is one photo. I am processing the rest and will post them by tomorrow hopefully. What are you pointing at here? I can't remember.

You see that girl behind you? The one holding up her hand in a peace sign?

I met her in the airport and we sat at TGIF drinking beer. She is from New Mexico and served as a medic in the war. I'm going to have to e-mail her this photo.

[liberaliraqvet26]

7. post them on DU...

and let them know its me

[goodhue]

8. kick