THE RALLY POINT
THE RALLY POINT
VETSPEAK.ORG
| Publishing the crucial voices of America's military veterans since 2005 Vol. I, Issue I |
Dear VetSpeak Friends and Supporters,
Welcome: This is the first edition of the VetSpeak "sit rep" newsletter. The name
stems from Willie Hager's days back in the bush. When a firefight wasn't working to
your advantage, the troops broke off the attack and quickly, quietly moved to a
pre-determined grid point to re-group, reorganize and review the effectiveness of
strategies and tactics. We envision The Rally Point as such a meeting place as we
pursue our mission of Speaking Truth to Power on veterans' issues online, in print
and on disc.
What We Do: VetSpeak.org serves four important niches, ensuring that the voices
and perspectives of veterans are heard in these vet-related ways: 1) Online
magazine/website; 2) Interactive blog; 3) Soon-to-open CD Baby-type film, music CD
and book consignment store; and 4) Book publishing house, still in the works.
Winter Soldier: The truths of war are known best by those who have, in their
nation's name, borne arms in combat. And what better recent example of this is
Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan organized by Iraq Veterans Against the War,
Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Vets for Peace and other groups last month in
Sliver Springs, MD. A dozen VetSpeakers volunteered for the security force and we
have dedicated our inaugural online magazine exclusively to the event.
"Boots on the Ground" Winter Soldier Reaction Book: Do you feel strongly
about the Winter Soldier testimonies in March? Either from being there in person or
having listened to them online? We invite you to share your reactions by submitting
writing, photos, poetry, cartoons and other printable art before August 1st to
di.wood@vetspeak.org for our upcoming reaction book entitled Boots on the Ground.
More About the Blog: To blog real time, visit our interactive blogsite. It is more than
a place to blog. It is a national forum where veterans can feel comfortable expressing
their thoughts and perspectives on matters that directly affect their quality of life. The
blog lends itself to a greater sense of community among our readers. It's a place to
check in and see how others are dealing with coming back into society, or for insight
into movement activities that affect veterans and their families and supporters.
If you have something to say, say it at VetSpeak either by submitting articles for our
online magazine, Boots on the Ground book or our interactive blog. Visit all of the
parts of VetSpeak to see where we're coming from. We look forward to adding your
voice to the mix. The Editors
Welcome: This is the first edition of the VetSpeak "sit rep" newsletter. The name
stems from Willie Hager's days back in the bush. When a firefight wasn't working to
your advantage, the troops broke off the attack and quickly, quietly moved to a
pre-determined grid point to re-group, reorganize and review the effectiveness of
strategies and tactics. We envision The Rally Point as such a meeting place as we
pursue our mission of Speaking Truth to Power on veterans' issues online, in print
and on disc.
What We Do: VetSpeak.org serves four important niches, ensuring that the voices
and perspectives of veterans are heard in these vet-related ways: 1) Online
magazine/website; 2) Interactive blog; 3) Soon-to-open CD Baby-type film, music CD
and book consignment store; and 4) Book publishing house, still in the works.
Winter Soldier: The truths of war are known best by those who have, in their
nation's name, borne arms in combat. And what better recent example of this is
Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan organized by Iraq Veterans Against the War,
Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Vets for Peace and other groups last month in
Sliver Springs, MD. A dozen VetSpeakers volunteered for the security force and we
have dedicated our inaugural online magazine exclusively to the event.
"Boots on the Ground" Winter Soldier Reaction Book: Do you feel strongly
about the Winter Soldier testimonies in March? Either from being there in person or
having listened to them online? We invite you to share your reactions by submitting
writing, photos, poetry, cartoons and other printable art before August 1st to
di.wood@vetspeak.org for our upcoming reaction book entitled Boots on the Ground.
More About the Blog: To blog real time, visit our interactive blogsite. It is more than
a place to blog. It is a national forum where veterans can feel comfortable expressing
their thoughts and perspectives on matters that directly affect their quality of life. The
blog lends itself to a greater sense of community among our readers. It's a place to
check in and see how others are dealing with coming back into society, or for insight
into movement activities that affect veterans and their families and supporters.
If you have something to say, say it at VetSpeak either by submitting articles for our
online magazine, Boots on the Ground book or our interactive blog. Visit all of the
parts of VetSpeak to see where we're coming from. We look forward to adding your
voice to the mix. The Editors
IN PRINT
ON DISC
ONLINE
NEWS
CONTRIBUTE TO VETSPEAK WINTER SOLDIER
BOOK, BOOTS ON THE GROUND: We are putting
together a reaction book on IVAW's recent Winter
Solder: Iraq & Afghanistan hearings. Expected
publication date is early fall '08.
BOOK, BOOTS ON THE GROUND: We are putting
together a reaction book on IVAW's recent Winter
Solder: Iraq & Afghanistan hearings. Expected
publication date is early fall '08.
Support VetSpeak.org's efforts to get the
voices of veterans heard. This is a
crucial time in America's history. Your
dollars will go directly to our efforts to
help end the war and improve the lives
of veterans.
voices of veterans heard. This is a
crucial time in America's history. Your
dollars will go directly to our efforts to
help end the war and improve the lives
of veterans.
NEW DEADLINE: AUGUST 1, 2008
WRITE FOR ONLINE
MAGAZINE OR BLOG: The
world needs to hear your
voice about vet-related issues
and the current occupations.
Check our website for
guidelines and ideas.
MAGAZINE OR BLOG: The
world needs to hear your
voice about vet-related issues
and the current occupations.
Check our website for
guidelines and ideas.
Contact: Willie Hager,
Administrative Coordinator
willie.hager@vetspeak.org
Administrative Coordinator
willie.hager@vetspeak.org
| Dialogue is the fuel of truth; silence the fuel of tyranny. |
Sent out June 9, 2008. If you prefer to be removed from our
mailing list, send an email to Willie.Hager@vetspeak.org
with "Remove" in the subject line.
mailing list, send an email to Willie.Hager@vetspeak.org
with "Remove" in the subject line.
CONSIGN 5 VET-RELATED BOOKS,
CDS, DVDS, FILMS. We are mostly looking for
new-condition projects you produced yourself and
have full rights to. We will pay you an agreed-upon
price. Used items will be treated as donations to
VetSpeak, another way to support our efforts. Thanks.
CDS, DVDS, FILMS. We are mostly looking for
new-condition projects you produced yourself and
have full rights to. We will pay you an agreed-upon
price. Used items will be treated as donations to
VetSpeak, another way to support our efforts. Thanks.
Contact: Russ Scheidler
Media Coordinator
russ.scheidler@vetspeak,org
Media Coordinator
russ.scheidler@vetspeak,org
Contact: Jan Ruhman, Operations Coordinator
jan.ruhman@vetspeak.org
jan.ruhman@vetspeak.org
WHAT'S GOING ON? Email
Jan about news and events
you'd like posted on
vet-related events in and
around your world.
Jan about news and events
you'd like posted on
vet-related events in and
around your world.
Click image to go to artist website. Most if all of the
profits from the sale of these projects are donated to
non-profits like Vets for Peace and VetSpeak.org
profits from the sale of these projects are donated to
non-profits like Vets for Peace and VetSpeak.org
| Beginning to Heal |
| VetSpeak.org exists to publish and distribute the crucial voices and perspectives of America's military veterans in print, online and on disc. |
June 2008
All images are links. Click
photos for more info.
photos for more info.