Local (Rogue Valley, OR) Links

The Ashland Peace House serves the local and regional community as a resource center for non-violence that encourages individual and group participation to further peace and social justice issues.

Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF - United States Section) is an international organization. There is a local branch in Ashland. WILPF works to create an environment of political, economic, social and psychological freedom for all members of the human community, so that true peace can be enjoyed by all.  Oregon and local contacts can be found here.

Medford's Citizens for Peace and Justice (CPJ), who's primary Mission Statement is "Embracing peace within ourselves."  They meet at the Medford Congregational Church of Christ, 1801 E. Jackson St. in Medford.

Rogue Valley Peace Veterans is dedicated to informing the public, and especially our young people, about the true cost of military enlistment and the costs of war. Our primary mission is to provide information to those contemplating enlisting in the military, and through our 'Straight Talk' Program to reach out to individuals, school classes and local PTA groups (wherever they exist, or to try developing parent-information sessions) in Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley.

Grants Pass Veteran's Center, 211 S.E. 10th St., Grants Pass, OR 97526, phone 541 474-5454 or e-mail Lisa Shipley at  lshipley@co.josephine.or.us .  The Veteran's Center can assist vets in learning about and helping file for veterans' benefits.

Eagle Point National Cemetery, 2763 Riley Rd., Eagle Point, OR 97524

Social Justice Alliance, Cave Junction, OR  sjajoco@gmail.com 

Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) continues to build better lives for military veterans, spouses, and their families living in Oregon. From helping veterans obtain earned medals and military awards to filing claims for education benefits, ODVA is here with you every step of the way.

Rogue Valley Veterans Administration - VA Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center & Clinics at 8495 Crater Lake Hwy., White City, OR 97503. Phone: 541-826-2111/Fax: 541-830-3500. According to this article and it's sidebar, while rated very highly right now, the 755 bed facility may be dramatically growing in the future.

Affiliations * Oregon Health Sciences University * Oregon Institute of Technology * University of Portland * Portland State University * Northern Illinois University * Southern Oregon University

Special Programs * Intensive Case Management * Day Treatment Program * Experiential Learning Program * Primary Care * Substance Abuse Program * Vocational Rehabilitation

Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) 2819 Dahlia Street Klamath Falls, OR 97601 Phone: 541 273-6206 Fax: 541 273-6207

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National Links

Veterans for Peace is a national organization founded in 1985. It is structured around a national office in Saint Louis, MO and comprised of members across the country organized in chapters or as at-large members. There is an annual convention each year attended by our members, families and supporters from across the nation. Members receive periodic VFP publications.  For more information go to www.veteransforpeace.org .  Address: Veterans For Peace, 216 South Meramec Ave, St. Louis MO 63105 (314) 725-6005.  VFP is a 501(c)3 organization. All contributions are tax deductible.  For information on the August 2011 VFP National Conference in Portland, OR go to http://www.vfpnationalconvention.org/ .

 

The American Friends Service Committee's Youth & Militarism site offers resources for young people concerned about making their way in the world. Here they can find help with understanding the reality behind military recruitment pitches, conscientious objection, and non-military career alternatives. [The information provided here is generally accurate but, to me, seems to be against the military as much as war. We see some benefits for some people to serve in the military, and can accept the military being a part of international diplomacy, but we are strongly against war as a "first option." - Don Chapin, webmaster, VFP156]

Here is a nonprofit featured on the CNN's AC 360 show of Oct 23, 2008 and included in their special "Back From the Battle." The website of Homes for Our Troops states: "Homes for Our Troops is a non-profit, non-partisan 501 (c)(3) organization founded in 2004. This organization is strongly committed to helping those who have selflessly given to their country and have returned home with serious disabilities and injuries. We assist severely injured Servicemen and Women and their immediate families by raising donations of money, building materials and professional labor and coordinating the process of building a new home or adapting an existing home for handicapped accessibility."  Although they have no current applications in the State of Oregon, they are to be strongly commended for what they do.

Alternatives to War, based in Corvallis supports peaceful dissent from government policies leading to war. We vigorously object to war as a response to acts of terrorism. We seek to define and promote policies alternative to war for our elected representatives and fellow citizens. We will promote these policies by suitable, nonviolent activities in the Willamette Valley and beyond.

Bring Them Home Now consists of military families, veterans, active duty personnel, reservists, and others opposed to the ongoing war in Iraq. "Without just cause for war, we say bring the troops home now!"

Wheels of Justice - As people of conscience working for peace, we see that the only road map for peace is justice and human rights. We call upon all parties involved to recognize and adhere to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and we call for nonviolent resistance to this violence of war, terror and occupation. As much of this violence is supported by our tax dollars and by our elected officials, Americans bear a great responsibility. The people of the world know this, and U.S. government policy provokes rage and retaliation against Americans. Further, draining our treasury on weapons and wars helps prolong and exacerbate our economic downfall and diverts resources greatly needed to build American schools and infrastructure and provide employment and health care to our own citizens. To break the cycle of violence we must change our roles in these conflicts; as individuals and as a nation, we must move from instigator to negotiator, from enabler to resister.

Soldier Say No and Peacehost.org are two websites by Gerry Condon dedicated to war resisters.

Courage to Resist is another website dedicated to war resisters, with profiles of those it is supporting to one extent or another. "Although the efforts of Courage to Resist are primarily focused on supporting public GI resisters, the organization also strives to provide political, emotional, and material support to all military objectors critical of our government's current policies of empire. As a grassroots project with limited resources, Courage to Resist nevertheless has a record of successfully working with many resisters and their families in raising the needed funds for civilian legal representation as well as public education campaigns."

"... a place here for political commentary and information regarding struggles for justice."

Call to Conscience is a group of veterans representing a variety of different political perspectives and experiences. "We feel that, as veterans of the U.S. military, we need to speak directly to the troops who are being deployed to Iraq for Bush War II."

The Center on Conscience & War (CCW) works to defend and extend the rights of conscientious objectors. The Center is committed to supporting all those who question participation in war, whether they are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, documented or undocumented immigrants, or citizens in other countries.

Citizen Soldier is a GI rights organization offering a wide variety of resources on current and historical topics.

Committee Opposed to Militarism and the Draft (COMD) challenges the military, its effect on society, its budget, its role abroad and at home, and the racism, sexism, and homophobia that are inherent in the armed forces.

Gold Star Families for Peace . "We - as families of soldiers who have died as a result of war (primarily but not limited to the invasion/occupation of Iraq) - are organizing to be a positive force in our world, to bring our country's sons and daughters home from Iraq, to minimize the 'human cost' of this war, and to prevent other families from (experiencing) the pain we are feeling as the result of our losses. We are also hoping to be lifetime support for each other through our losses."

The Welcome Home Project's Mission is to bridge the historic gap between veterans (including their families) and the civilian communities in which they live. They expect to catalyze meetings and conversations between vets and civilians by promotion of their film Voices of Vets in local communities around the country. 

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of American  Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is the nation's first and largest group dedicated to the troops and veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the civilian supporters of those troops and veterans

Iraq Veterans Against the War welcomes anybody who has served in the military (active duty, national guard, and reservists) since September 11, 2001. (Military members who are currently serving can be guaranteed confidentiality.) The main objectives of IVAW are: 1. Bring the troops home now; 2. Support Iraqi reconstruction in whatever way possible; 3. Support our veterans and our troops now and upon their return home.(215) 241-7123

Military Families Speak Out is an organization of people who are opposed to the war in Iraq and who have relatives or loved ones in the military. Membership currently includes over 2,000 military families. (617) 983-0710

National Network Opposing the Militarization of Youth  (NNOMY) brings together national, regional, and local organizations to oppose the growing intrusion of the military in young people's lives. NNOMY can help the nation understand that providing youth with peaceful and viable alternatives for achieving success in life is an important sign of a civilized society. (215) 241-7176

PeaceAware promotes peaceful alternatives to local, national, and global conflicts. Secondary school students or their parents can download a Section 9528 Request (Opt-Out Form for Secondary Students). The submission of this form to school officials requires them to refrain from sharing a student's personal information with military recruiters, in accordance with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

Veterans Against the Iraq War is a coalition of U.S. veterans who support our troops but oppose war with Iraq or any other nation that does not pose a clear and present danger to our people and nation. They say: "Support the troops; oppose the policy." (201) 876-0430

Our organization Veterans for Peace (VFP) includes veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, other conflicts, and peacetime veterans. Members believe that U.S. citizens will be secure at home only when there is peace and justice abroad. VFP seeks to abolish war as an instrument of international policy. Contact headquarters at (314) 725-6005 or locally at About Us.

The War Resisters League affirms that all war is a crime against humanity. See their Youth and Counter-Militarism Program and Revolution Out of Truth and Struggle (ROOTS). Both campaigns promote nonviolence, justice, and an end to the militarization of youth.

Voices in the Wilderness (VITW) was formed in 1996 to nonviolently challenge the economic warfare being waged by the United States against the people of Iraq, and to end the U.S. occupation of Iraq. Testimonies of VITW members staying in Iraq, and extensive information on U.S. policy there, are available at their website. Also see Voices for Creative Nonviolence

Photojournalist Linda Panetta focuses on cultural, environmental, and human rights, with particular emphasis on conflict zones (some past, some current), including Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico, Colombia, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Haiti.  (215) 473-2162

SOA Watch (SOAW) works to stand in solidarity with the people of Latin America, to close the SOA/WHINSEC, and to change the oppressive U.S. foreign policy that the SOA represents. Numerous videos, books, a newsletter, and other activist tools are available at their website. 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - By calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and pressing 1, you will be connected with round-the-clock access to mental health professionals who focus solely on helping veterans.

SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education) - This nonprofit's mission is to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, reduce stigma, and serve as a resource for those touched by suicide. According to the Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW), "Suicide is a very real threat for veterans. A recent CBS news investigation found that, in 2005, veterans were twice as likely to commit suicide as non-vets, with 120 veteran suicides each week. Those of us who are between the ages of 20-24 have the highest rate of suicides, between 2 - 4 times higher than our civilian peers."

Asbestos Mesothelioma and Vets : Veterans, like construction laborers and miners, are considered to be at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma cancer. For more mesothelioma information, as well as information on a variety of veteran-specific issues, please visit this site.  Also there is a Veterans Blog, and follow @veteransblog on Twitter for veteran news and info.

United for Peace & Justice is a coalition of more than 1400 local and national groups throughout the United States who have joined together to protest the immoral and disastrous Iraq War and oppose our government's policy of permanent warfare and empire-building.

Veterans and Mesothelioma  Currently, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs recognizes mesothelioma as a service-connected medical condition.  Due to common military practices veterans who served between 1940 and 1970 have a greater risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses. Additionally, Navy personnel and workers employed in shipyards from the 1930s through the 1970s hold a greater risk of developing a disease caused by asbestos exposure.

Vets 4 Vets is a peer support group for recent veterans. In weekend workshops and local groups, veterans talk and listen to each other to help heal from negative wartime and military experiences. Contact them to find out about upcoming workshops. 520-319-5500

National Veterans Foundation is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization that gives assistance, information, and resources to veterans from all military branches. 1-888-777-4443

Rachel Corrie's website  Rachel Corrie's site  "Corrie, 23, a student at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, died (in March 2003) in Gaza while trying to stop the bulldozer from tearing down a Palestinian physician's home. She fell in front of the machine, which ran over her and then backed up, witnesses said."

Lt. Watada information from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ehren_Watadawebsite   

Stop Recruiting Kids  http://www.stoprecruitingkids.org:80/  

Check out the website links of VFP 69, San Francisco  http://www.vsasf.org/links.html .

Update on defense of the Arcata and Eureka youth protection acts from U.S. government lawsuit seeking to invalidate city ordinances restricting recruiter access to schools.

United States of America vs. Cities of Eureka and Arcata, CA

 

50 Facts About U.S. Nuclear Weapons:   http://www.brookings.edu/projects/archive/nucweapons/50.aspx

Mortgageloan.com is a comprehensive consumer guide on housing and mortgages for veterans and active military. It's located at www.mortgageloan.com/veterans/ and covers what VA loans are, its benefits,
how to apply for one, special protections against foreclosure, etc.