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Speaking Truth to Power
| BIOGRAPHY |
| WINTER SOLDIERS SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER |
BILLY X.
CURMANO
CURMANO
THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING...WINTER SOLDIER: IRAQ
& AFGHANISTAN
by BILLY X. CURMANO
& AFGHANISTAN
by BILLY X. CURMANO
Billy X. Curmano was with 4th
Battalion 503rd Infantry 173rd
Airborne Brigade in Vietnam
1968 and 1969. He received a
Purple Heart from wounds
suffered near Tuy Hoa.
MOS 11 B 2 P Got out as Sp4.
Billy X. is a VetSpeak.org
contributor who attended WS:
Iraq & Afghanistan as part of
our twelve-person contingent
of contributors and support
personnel who attended this
historically epic in order to
cover it for VetSpeak, and
also to serve as VVAW front
gate security for the event.
Battalion 503rd Infantry 173rd
Airborne Brigade in Vietnam
1968 and 1969. He received a
Purple Heart from wounds
suffered near Tuy Hoa.
MOS 11 B 2 P Got out as Sp4.
Billy X. is a VetSpeak.org
contributor who attended WS:
Iraq & Afghanistan as part of
our twelve-person contingent
of contributors and support
personnel who attended this
historically epic in order to
cover it for VetSpeak, and
also to serve as VVAW front
gate security for the event.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
I recently returned from the Iraq veterans Against the War (IVAW) Winter
Soldier Iraq Afghanistan Testimonies (March 13-16) at the National Labor
College near Washington D.C.
Because of my role on security, I could not attend all of the sessions.
However, I was most impressed with the overall professionalism and
dedication for the event. Our security team worked closely with the Labor
College Security and Maryland Police to assure a safe and peaceful 4
days. Counter demonstrators and crazies were kept well away.
One disruptor with false credentials was able to utter only one sentence
before being carried out and turned over to the police. Eyewitnesses said
he was out in about 8 seconds. A couple of journalists with a disruptive
style were escorted out. I personally was able to politely turn away a
gentleman wanting to expose the KGB brain probes installed in Brittney
Spears and George W. Bush. The more obnoxious and well financed
Gathering of Eagles had made threats and promised hundreds of
counter-demonstrators. In reality, they couldn't even fill their bus. Their
SUV and a few of their bolder followers were turned away at the main
gate.
Inside, veterans of the occupation testified to what they had witnessed. A
special IVAW teamed screened all testifiers for authenticity and proof of
service. Health care providers, counselors and lawyers were on hand to
ease the testifiers through their often highly emotional state. Another
level of bonding with peers, older combat vets, peace activists and, of
course, Resistance the therapy dog also helped keep Post traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD) at bay. Unfortunately, as a Vietnam Veteran that
has also testified to the barbaric culture of war, I know that their stress
has not been exorcised.
As soldiers, we sign an oath to protect the constitution of the United
States from all its enemies - not to follow blindly behind the president.
The current administration has taken more liberties with this document
than any in recent memory. Their policies have created a freshly
disillusioned generation. Wars built on lies cause patriotic young people
to question authority. Bonding together, they create their own new and
vibrant culture with new music, art, films, books and poetry. Pay attention
- Don't miss out.
My biggest regret while working the historic event was knowing much of
the American media would ignore these brave young men and women.
Film makers and news outlets from around the globe were there. The
whole world was watching. The London Times covered it, but where was
the New York Times? If you are a news outlet, please help America take
our blinders off.
Supporting the troops is not driving around in an SUV with a magnetic
yellow ribbon. It's listening to their concerns and acting upon them. It is
still possible to view streamed video and hear testimonies on the web
through IVAW.org Audio has been cataloged and archived by KPFA
Radio at Warscomehome.org.
Peace Out and lots of love,
Billy X. Curmano
VetSpeak.org
billyx@ridge-runner.com
http://www.vvaw.org
http://www.mnartists.org/Billy_X._Curmano
http://www.sonicbids.com/billyxcurmano
http://www.cdbaby.com/all/billyx
http://www.billycurmano.com
Art Works USA
27979 County Road 17
Winona, MN 55987
1.507.452.1598
Electronic downloads at:
http://www.mp3tunes.com/BillyXCurmano
I recently returned from the Iraq veterans Against the War (IVAW) Winter
Soldier Iraq Afghanistan Testimonies (March 13-16) at the National Labor
College near Washington D.C.
Because of my role on security, I could not attend all of the sessions.
However, I was most impressed with the overall professionalism and
dedication for the event. Our security team worked closely with the Labor
College Security and Maryland Police to assure a safe and peaceful 4
days. Counter demonstrators and crazies were kept well away.
One disruptor with false credentials was able to utter only one sentence
before being carried out and turned over to the police. Eyewitnesses said
he was out in about 8 seconds. A couple of journalists with a disruptive
style were escorted out. I personally was able to politely turn away a
gentleman wanting to expose the KGB brain probes installed in Brittney
Spears and George W. Bush. The more obnoxious and well financed
Gathering of Eagles had made threats and promised hundreds of
counter-demonstrators. In reality, they couldn't even fill their bus. Their
SUV and a few of their bolder followers were turned away at the main
gate.
Inside, veterans of the occupation testified to what they had witnessed. A
special IVAW teamed screened all testifiers for authenticity and proof of
service. Health care providers, counselors and lawyers were on hand to
ease the testifiers through their often highly emotional state. Another
level of bonding with peers, older combat vets, peace activists and, of
course, Resistance the therapy dog also helped keep Post traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD) at bay. Unfortunately, as a Vietnam Veteran that
has also testified to the barbaric culture of war, I know that their stress
has not been exorcised.
As soldiers, we sign an oath to protect the constitution of the United
States from all its enemies - not to follow blindly behind the president.
The current administration has taken more liberties with this document
than any in recent memory. Their policies have created a freshly
disillusioned generation. Wars built on lies cause patriotic young people
to question authority. Bonding together, they create their own new and
vibrant culture with new music, art, films, books and poetry. Pay attention
- Don't miss out.
My biggest regret while working the historic event was knowing much of
the American media would ignore these brave young men and women.
Film makers and news outlets from around the globe were there. The
whole world was watching. The London Times covered it, but where was
the New York Times? If you are a news outlet, please help America take
our blinders off.
Supporting the troops is not driving around in an SUV with a magnetic
yellow ribbon. It's listening to their concerns and acting upon them. It is
still possible to view streamed video and hear testimonies on the web
through IVAW.org Audio has been cataloged and archived by KPFA
Radio at Warscomehome.org.
Peace Out and lots of love,
Billy X. Curmano
VetSpeak.org
billyx@ridge-runner.com
http://www.vvaw.org
http://www.mnartists.org/Billy_X._Curmano
http://www.sonicbids.com/billyxcurmano
http://www.cdbaby.com/all/billyx
http://www.billycurmano.com
Art Works USA
27979 County Road 17
Winona, MN 55987
1.507.452.1598
Electronic downloads at:
http://www.mp3tunes.com/BillyXCurmano
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