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Military families welcome end of U.S. war in Afghanistan

Military Families Speak Out 

July 2021 Newsletter 

Troops Home Now! 

Editorials from MFSO members: 

Pat Alviso, Long Beach, CA 

“After 20 years… I will not send another generation of Americans to war in Afghanistan with no reasonable expectation of achieving  a different outcome.” .. “How many more- how many thousands more of American’s daughters and sons are you willing to risk? How  long would you have them stay?” Already we have members of our military whose parents fought in Afghanistan 20 years ago. Would  you send their children and their grandchildren as well? Would you send you own son or daughter?” “We did not go into Afghanistan  

to nation-build. And it’s the right and the responsibility of the Afghan people alone to decide their future and how they want to run  their country”… “Just one more year of fighting in Afghanistan is not a solution’’…moving the withdrawal timeline “would be a  recipe for being there indefinitely.” – President Joe Biden 

Do these words sound familiar? They are almost the same words and persuasive arguments MFSO members  have been saying for years to voice our opposition to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Time after time, place  after place, and year after year, military families across the country courageously spoke out and made these  same discerning and salient points. This time, however, the words are coming from the president of the United  States and that’s a stark change from statements made by earlier presidents. 

If only these words had come from any of the earlier presidents- Bush, Obama and Trump! Countless lives and  an incalculable amount of suffering could have been prevented. But as war-weary and devastated as we are by  these wars, we are glad to hear them- finally. We can now recognize that something different is happening and that this is a major turning point that deserves recognition. The price has been too great, but it seems that we are  getting close to ending this terrible chapter in US and Afghan history at last.  

Although President Biden was quick to point out that the 300,000 Afghan troops are capable of defeating the  75,000 Taliban, we are not naïve about the possibility of a Taliban takeover. Whether they do or not, we will always believe that we have nothing to gain by continuing to put our troops in harm’s way by keeping them there any longer. We have been saying for years, that every day we stay, we just make more enemies. Nothing  will bring any of our loved ones back that died, or ease the immeasurable amount of suffering our families have  have endured, and still do. Yes, anything can happen at this point, but we should not allow ourselves to get  stuck in the trap of thinking “nothing’s changed” and close our eyes to the reality of the large de-escalation and  the push back that is happening at this very moment. This “push back” is coming from those who don’t care  about us or our troops and want to keep them there forever and with no different mission.  

With 90% of troops withdrawals already complete, (including from the iconic Bagram Air Base hub), and a  publically announced exit date of Aug. 31st, we can easily track the large US exodus. Sadly, it’s apparently not a big headline to the general public who, in the past few years shrugged off that war entirely, or worse yet,  would tell us that they thought that war had already ended! We never “forgot” or stopped pushing to bring them  home, but we also know that even when all troops leave it will be far from over for military families. This will only be the beginning of the healing process. The war will not end for us at home, but it’s a milestone and we  need to be at the forefront of conversations about what’s next. 

Now is not the time to get caught up in unsupported claims that we are not really leaving Afghanistan and that  nothing’s changed really, or that there’s hidden troop numbers, troops left to protect the embassy is nothing  more than a cover for mercenaries to stay, that contractors or secret black ops will remain or that we’re  abandoning our allies. I understand and can relate to why even some of our members are responding to the news  of withdrawal with such skepticism. Clearly, we are used to being disappointed and find it hard to believe that  the US is really pulling out of Afghanistan albeit only ground troops at this point. Let’s just accept this major  step as an important milestone, take a moment to take credit, along with our allies, for helping change the  course of these disastrous wars and internalize the fact that our mantra- that we should bring them home now- is  the popular and right view and we can now visualize itWe’ve got to keep our eye on the ball while the situation on the ground changes quickly. We need to focus and put our energy into speaking out against the big push  back that is happening in full swing from many voices who are painting the withdrawals as the US “turning tail”  and that leaving means losing. We also need to speak out against the foreboding and continued US  airstrikes*and prepare for the huge humanitarian and refugee crisis that is sure to follow. We must also give our  full attention to getting our loved ones out of Iraq and Syria and to making sure wars of aggression that lead to  “forever wars” like Afghanistan never happens again. 

 WHAT CAN MFSO MEMBERS DO? 

MFSO members can play a critical role in counteracting this narrative by making sure our unique voice is heard  and amplified. The opportunity to mark the final withdrawal of US troops out of Afghanistan has been  announced for Aug. 31, and we will all have an opportunity to reach out to the media at a time when people will  want to hear what military families and veterans have to say about the true cost of war. We are the ones the  media will want to interview because we have been directly impacted by war, even if you don’t have a loved  one who served in Afghanistan. We are the voice of authority and people do listen to us. Please help by  planning your own event on this day to mark the occasion any way you deem appropriate. Once President Biden  makes his announcement (Aug. 31st?) we are asking you to join other military families and veterans and to spring into action by having an event in your neighborhood. So far we have five families that will be hosting a Welcome Back event, which can take place outdoors or indoors. Your board has prepared up-to-date talking  points, a flyer you can personalize, a press release, assistance getting the media to your event, and tech support  from our intern Sebastian. 

We can’t afford to let this moment pass us by. While many cast doubts about the reality of us actually leaving  Afghanistan, we can show that we are not going to be caught unawares, that our stories are relevant and that we  are moving forward to ensure this exit is completed and especially that wars like these never happen again. Yes,  the wars aren’t over yet, but we are compelled to plan now because we know we are the best ones to tell the  whole story in a way no one else can. Please, MFSO members- let’s own this moment and step up- this golden opportunity is right before us.  

To hold an event in your area please contact Pat Alviso, Rossana Cambron (562-833-8035 or email at  mfsooc@earthlink.net)-West Coast, Diane Picotte- -Haberdank (mstwobyfour@yahoo.com)– Midwest, Don  Kimball (don.kimball@yahoo.com-East Coast. Our intern, Sebastian will also help with any technology  requests 

*The President has been using the phrase “over-the-horizon capacity that we can be value added.” He is referring to a plan, that appears might cost $10 billion, to fly  drones and manned attack aircraft from bases as far away as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait to “assist the current Afghan central government in defending  itself against the Taliban”. 

In the News:  

Biden administration formally launches effort to return deported veterans to U.S. Homeland Security  Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement. “We are committed to bringing back military service  members, veterans, and their immediate family members who were unjustly removed and ensuring they receive  the benefits to which they may be entitled.” Good news but we still need to keep the pressure on to return all  deported veterans and family members. Link 

Most European troops exit Afghanistan quietly after 20 years The majority of European troops have now  left with little ceremony — a stark contrast to the dramatic and public show of force and unity when NATO  allies lined up to back the U.S. invasion to rid the country of al-Qaida after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Link 

U.S. military vacates main air base in Afghanistan but slows withdrawal plan U.S. officials discussed  keeping Bagram open longer, as the Taliban continues an offensive, but the Biden administration decided to go  ahead with its withdrawal plan. Nightmares of ramp ceremonies and torture remain at the base. Link 

Pentagon chiefs insist flat defense budget is enough Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told the House Armed  Services Committee the requested 2022 Military budget of 1.6% increase and 16% non-defense budget is “ just  right”. Unfunded requirements, trade-offs for which weapon system to buy and considering the “threat” of  China as the reason we need to increase the military budget are debated on Capitol Hill- details here Link

Cotton, Pentagon chief tangle over diversity training in military Austin has made tackling extremism a  priority after a number of individuals arrested in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol attack were found to have  military backgrounds. Link 

Turkey is in discussions to operate and secure Afghanistan’s International Airport– Kabul airport is  Afghanistan’s only gateway to the world and vital for diplomatic missions in the country to continue. Taliban  spokesperson says Turkey’s presence as NATO member would be perceived the same as the US remaining  there. Link 

The cost of the Afghanistan war, in lives and dollars A good article with great data and talking points from  Linda Bilmes of Harvard University’s Kennedy School and from the Brown University’s Costs of War Project on Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Link 

News from the MFSO Board: 

∙ One piece of our campaign to keep the pressure on so that we can ensure that all of our troops leave  Afghanistan, MFSO approved writing a letter to President Biden thanking him for making the call to  withdraw troops from Afghanistan by Aug. 31 and also pressing him stop to airstrikes and protect our  allies that helped our troops.  

∙ Welcome Back from Afghanistan Campaign– The MFSO board asks you to be part of the plan to  make sure our troops are recognized as they withdraw from Afghanistan. Please host an event to mark  this important milestone that recognizes the end of our presence so you can share your our own stories  about the true cost of war. We will help you get the media there. MFSO has organized many support  materials and campaign coordinators to make your event easy. mfsooc@earthlink.net 

∙ VFP Convention– Please join us for this year’s Veterans for Peace online convention with this year’s  theme “Rising to the Moment”. Look for our ad in this year’s convention booklet. Spread the word link 

∙ Please welcome our new part-time intern, Sebastian Munoz-McDonald from Dartmouth College. In  addition to having many skills in the area of organizing, Sebastian interested in counter recruitment and  gender equity. He is also an intern for On Earth Peace(link). On Earth Peace, under the leadership of MFSO board member Bill Scherer, has been a great ally and fiscal manager for our interns and we are  grateful for their steadfast support over the years. 

From Jeff’s desk 

Leaving Afghanistan is great news which I have looked forward to for a long time. I’m sad about the current  state of the country, but as my stepdad was known for saying, we need to move forward and not look back sometimes. Sadly, I think that Afghanistan with its corrupt government will probably fail and the Taliban will  re-impose Islamic fundamentalist rule, including its oppressive treatment of women. The last 20 years have  been painful for military families, Afghan civilians and American foreign policy, but at least we been shown some useful lessons about nation building. I just hope we can learn from them. Now that we are a more  experienced nation, I hope we will STOP saying we are the best and stop believing we need to make all nations  like ourselves. I don’t believe that we can or should fix the world. Welcome Back, US Troops- Let’s get all the  rest of your brothers and sisters home from Iraq and Syria next.  

Note: The opinions above and in future editorials do not reflect any official stance approved by the MFSO board, which meets  monthly and posts official positions decided by the board on our website. Your responses and opinions are welcome. If you would like  to send your own editorial on any MFSO related issue, please send to mfsooc@earthlink.net 

Contributions & editing by: Jeff Merrick & Pat Alviso 

4,586 American Troops killed in Iraq; 2,452 American Troops killed in Afghanistan

When Jeff and I first heard the news that we were given a date certain for all US troops to leave Afghanistan, we were taken aback.  After 20 long years of MFSO families working so hard to make this happen and always watchful of approaching deadlines and promises, it’s seems odd to be startled at the news? Even after hearing it officially from President Biden’s own lips, we are still in disbelief. Since that day the MFSO office has been receiving emails from members who have been part of the struggle over the years and who wanted to share their feelings and concerns about what it all means to us as military families. Below are some of the statements we were allowed to share with you. We hope you will send your thoughts too so we can share them.

“It is long past time for the U.S. military role in Afghanistan to end. Military families who have been speaking out for many years to bring our troops home know that this move honors our troops – including those who died as a result of this ‘forever’ war – because continued death, including the deaths of increasing numbers of Afghan civilians, honors no one, and solves no problems. There is much that must happen now, including taking care of our troops coming home with visible and hidden injuries of war, and bringing about a new foreign policy that opposes these occupations and will not hinder the emergence of civilian voices, leaders and the forces who will ultimately bring justice and peace to their own country.”
Nancy Lessin, Co-founder, Military Families Speak Out

I am delighted to hear the news that we will bring home all troops from Afghanistan by Sept 11, 2021.  Our cries have been heard!  I hope that this will be the first of our troops matching home from all countries we have no business being in! I am cautiously optimistic that this will come to pass but I know the MIC is not happy about it. What shall be, shall be.
Diane Bremer
Mom of active duty son, Army
Red Wing, Minnesota

I feel tremendous relief that the troops are coming home from Afghanistan.  I also feel an overwhelming sadness for the men and women who served in Afghanistan; for those who did not come home, were injured (physically or mentally) or committed suicide.  I also feel great sadness for the huge losses and suffering the Afghan people endured and will continue to endure in their homeland destroyed by 20 years of war.

As the Afghanistan Papers confirmed, the military and the U.S. government knew early on that the Afghanistan War was a debacle and could not be won.  It didn’t understand Afghanistan nor did it have a strategy.  Yet, our government and military were unwilling to admit the Afghanistan war could not be won, damn the consequences.

These tragic decisions have destroyed people on all sides, for absolutely no gain.  This is shameful.  When will we learn that war and violence are not the path to a better world?
Mary Hladky, Mother of Army Infantry Officer who served 13 months, during Obama’s Surge, Zhari District, Kandahar Province

What a terrible and shameful tragedy – the war against Afghanistan. More than 2400 American troops and more than 38,000 Afghan civilians were killed. (NYTimes, 2019) There were many millions of war refugees. There were countless people injured. Moral injury, PTSD and other devastating impacts of war will persist. The poisoning of civilians and military from burn pits, the damage to the environment and people’s health has been horrendous. My heart goes out to other military families and Afghan families whose loved ones were killed or injured.  The costs were over $1.5 trillion dollars, not including money spent on medical and disability costs for veterans, all money that should have been spent instead in our communities for education, housing, health care, social services and other human needs. Shame on the elected officials who voted for this war and those who voted to continue funding the war. A salute to the millions of people who marched and demonstrated, lobbied and petitioned both to prevent the war in Afghanistan and to demand an end to the war. We will remain vigilant to make sure that not only the troops come home, but the contractors, the CIA, the Special Forces, must come home, too. We must make sure that absolutely no U.S. drones or other weapons of war will be used in Afghanistan.
Paula Rogovin, mother of an Iraq war veteran

It’s been 20 years now and it’s past time for our troops to come home. I have more faith in President Biden bringing the troops home than I did in the former president.  I believe President Biden will make a smooth transition and not make more problems for us. This is a start, but we need all the troops out of the Middle East.
Ed Garza, Former board member
Santa Ana CA

I am relieved that our troops are finally leaving Afghanistan after 20 years, but I’m concerned that we have not learned our lesson about the costs of starting and continuing wars of choice. We should have been out of Afghanistan shortly after we went in.  Delta Force spotted Osama Bin Laden leaving the mountain caves for Pakistan after the Battle of Tora Bora but was denied permission to take him out. That would have ended our involvement.

I am now concerned about the future of the Afghanis who helped US forces as translators, etc., and those who tried to bring democracy to Afghanistan.  I hope that President Biden will welcome them into the US as refugees as they will be in danger when the Taliban returns to power.

Our wars of choice have destroyed nations (Vietnam and Iraq) while bringing riches to the corporations that supply war. Tens of thousands of our troops have died or are injured from wounds seen or unseen, families have been destroyed. I hope we will not repeat these mistakes.
Anna Berlinrut, Mom of Marine deployed 8 times in harm’s way
Connecticut

I’m heartened by President Biden’s resolve to end the war in Afghanistan.  However,  I’ll believe it when I see it because other presidents like Bush, (“Mission Accomplished”), Obama and Trump,  promised before, but no one has brought them all home yet. But I’m hopeful he will follow through this time. As a military family member himself, I believe Biden really understands the toll war takes on our families more than the other presidents did . He knows what it’s like to wait and wonder. My daughter was injured when she was deployed and we had to wait so long to find out how she was. If you’ve been a military family member long enough you will do whatever it takes to find out how your loved one is.
Lorna Farnum
Daughter deployed to Kosovo
Hawaii

I have cautious optimism regarding brining our troops home.  It is past time, that is a worldwide truth.  I am holding my breath for every family and friend of a deployed troop.  The joy of thinking they will be home soon; is balance with the possibility of retaliation.  That is hell.  I grieve, I rejoice.
Corla Coles,
Mother in law of Active Duty Army Reserve
Redlands, CA

Oh God. I think it’s a good move and that it’s inevitable. I wonder, are we really getting out? It’s a win for the US, but a tragedy for the Afghani people. As inevitable as this is, it’s unavoidable.  Who would have thought that 9/11 would be the beginning of a 20 year war- America’s longest war that would cost $2 trillion, the lives of tens of thousands Afghans -3,502 NATO casualties  and over 2, 312 of our US troops. I remember when Bin Laden died, I was in NYC and people we jubilant. I was with them, and then I thought later that I never celebrated someone dying before.

Afghanistan has a corrupt government, there’s no real industry except opium. 70% of Afghans live on a dollar a day, there are few schools, their infrastructure is weak, electricity and water are erratic in the nation’s capital, and I fear women and girls are going to be the ones who will suffer the most. Where does the Taliban get their money? Why aren’t we talking about that? The pain is going to come, but what can you say? You can’t police the whole world, but if we haven’t fixed this in 20 years, we never are going to fix it.  After 20 years of presidents saying we’re getting out, the US has no credibility. I’ll believe it when I see it. This announcement is dredging up a lot of emotions right now for veterans and military families.
Don Kimball,
Uncle to Active Duty Marine and veteran
South Portland, ME

As military families whose loved ones/children have been in Afghanistan, we welcome the news that our troops are coming home. We hope that this is just the beginning of troop withdrawals from the Middle East and other countries where we have participated in unjust wars. These wars have endangered the lives of our children and haven’t done anything to protect us.
Rossana Cambron
Mother of action duty Army
Los Angeles, CA

Like many other non-profits, our ability to raise operating funds has been impacted by COVID-19.  We had planned on participating in many events this year and have a surplus of t-shirts that we have not been able to sell at our usual tabling events.  Please consider helping us spead the word about MFSO and our mission by purchasing and wearing your MFSO T-Shirt!

Available in all adult sizes in either white or black.

To donate by check, please make your check out to MFSO and send to:

On July 18th, 2020, the 18th Annual Peacestock: A Gathering for Peace will take place virtually at 1pm via Zoom. Register here.
What is Peacestock?
Peacestock is a mixture of speakers, activists, and musicians. Peacestock features timely topics and seeks speakers who are well respected on those topics. Browse the archives of previous Peacestock festivals for reference, and watch video of our speakers.
Where can I register for the 2020 virtual event?
Register here: peacestockvfp.org/tickets
Who organizes Peacestock?
Peacestock is sponsored by Veterans for Peace, Chapter 115, in Red Wing and Veterans for Peace, Chapter 27, in Minneapolis, and has a peace-themed agenda.
Where can I connect to Peacestock on Social Media?
Facebook users: Please join our Peacestock Facebook page, found at https://facebook.com/peacestock
Twitter users: Please follow our Twitter account @peacestock, found at https://twitter.com/peacestock

Welcome to the VFP 2020 Online Convention!
We are excited to announce Veterans For Peace’s first Online Convention! We know that many of us will miss being able to greet each other in person but we also know that each and every one of us wants to make sure all of our members are safe and healthy. Convention will take place from August 2nd-9th, with the theme “Human Rights over Nuclear Might”. Since our founding, Veterans For Peace has had it in our goals “to end the arms race and to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons” and the week will mark the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. (This year also marks the 75th anniversary of the first nuclear explosion of all time at the Trinity Site, New Mexico, which occurred on July 16, 1945).

While we are so disappointed to not connect with everyone in person, we also see the amazing opportunity this presents for our organization. We see this as an opportunity to broaden our audience to many folks who have been unable to join us in person and to expand the possibilities of who may be able to participate and present for our workshops. Everyone in New Mexico has been amazingly generous and allowed us to rebook everything for 2021, so we will not miss out on the opportunity to gather in New Mexico next year!

We are busy making plans on an amazing array of workshops and plenaries and even creative ways to incorporate some social times. This year’s convention will highlight work being done to address nuclear weapons as well as nuclear colonialism and broader topics such as what decolonizing the peace movement looks like and highlight some of the amazing work being done within Veterans For Peace. We will be updating this website in the coming months with more information, which will include options on how to learn and navigate the convention technology. We will be doing our best to make sure that everyone who wants to participate will be able to have the technological support needed. Stay tuned for more details!
Signed,
2020 Online Convention Committee

Robert Vivar, MFSO board member and co-founder and co director United US Deported Veterans was interviewed on Via Voices last week. After living 40 years in the US, he was deported in 2014. His son is active duty Army and grandson recently enlisted in the US Marine Corps and so Robert works daily to help veterans before and after they’re deported. Take a listen to his recent interview on Via Voices and share our gratitude for the incredible work of our MFSO board member and humanitarian activist is doing. https://youtu.be/QcTh8jHxnqs