The Cries Of The Soldiers
When the hour was dark,
and their need was great, I
heard the cries of the soldiers!
When their lives
were at stake,
because their President had failed
them, I felt the fear of the soldiers!
So I raised up my voice, demanding that
God go be with them and protect
the lives of the soldiers!
I pounded my drum and sent word to
My Elders that every nation should
come to the aid of those soldiers!
And I sounded my bell for all of
The Spirits to gather and fly swift
as the wind to comfort the soldiers!
I whispered a prayer to each of Earth's
Children that we should all walk with
honor and become more like a soldier!
And I sung a tribal song with my rattle
calling home The Great Warriors who
were now serving their country as soldiers!
Then, I laid down my head and cried like a
mother, because all I could do in the end
was simply trust that God was a soldier...
-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., Small All White in the Forest)
"I am no barrier to its sun; the light and I are as one!"
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My Poetic Notes:
The reason that I wrote this poem can be summed up with the following statement: The situation which inspired this poem is far too complex for me to explain, so I am going to refrain from explaining it. But suffice it to say that this poem has everything to do with then-President George W. Bush's Iraq War—the responsibility of which rests squarely upon the shoulders of former President George W. Bush.
And this poem was only published on my "Small All White in the Forest" blog.
This poem was written in Portland, Oregon.
-Paulee
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The following are 'updates' that I have written with regard to the veterans' organization Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), which I have included in this blog post in order to show my support for our U.S. Veterans.
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June 10th, 2022 Update: I received an email from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) today, June 10th, 2022, with the subject line, "The Pact Act is Close to the Finish Line", which stated, in part, the following:
Paul,
We had a huge success with an 86-12 cloture vote in the Senate on The Honoring Our PACT Act on Tuesday, which allows the bill to move forward towards a final vote (likely next week). I had the honor of watching the vote from the Senate Gallery with surviving family members, including SFC Heath Robinson’s 9-year-old daughter, Jon Stewart, and other incredible supporters and veterans advocates. This vote was a significant step forward, but there is still work to do! We need your help to continue to tell Senators to pass this vital piece of legislation to ensure those suffering from military toxic exposures receive the VA healthcare and disability benefits they deserve.
We also want to share some good news regarding two bills President Biden signed into law this week. The MAMMO for Veterans Act to expand veterans' access to high-quality breast cancer screenings and lifesaving cancer care, and The Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas SERVICE Act, which would require the VA to conduct mammograms for all women who served in areas associated with burn pits and other toxic exposures regardless of age, symptoms or family history...
...As we celebrate these steps forward, we still need your help. Let’s keep up the fight and continue to take action!
Onward!
[Name redacted], IAVA [Title redacted], Navy Veteran
Here is a link to the IAVA website, which explains, "The PACT Act is comprehensive legislation that not only provides for healthcare and benefits, but also creates a framework for how presumptive illnesses are handled" and includes a section titled, "Let them know you care! Contact your representatives in Washington to voice your support for the PACT Act."
ACT TODAY:***
***[I used to include hyperlinks contained within the email messages, or the text messages, to which I am referring in these "Activism Updates"; however, I could not figure out how to include the aforementioned hyperlinks, regarding some relevant action that I had taken—such as signing a petition, sending a letter or message to my representative(s) in Congress, signing a USO 'Thank You' card, and/or making a donation—without including my personal information.]
And so, I sent letters to my Senators, via the IAVA website, urging them to support passing this critical legislation, which can be found below:
Message Subject: Please support the PACT Act
Dear Senator [Name],
The Honoring Our PACT Act received a 86-12 cloture vote in the Senate on Tuesday, June 7th, 2022, which allows the bill to move forward towards a final vote. This vote was a huge success and a significant step forward!
Please vote to pass this vital piece of legislation, when it comes to the floor, to ensure those suffering from military toxic exposures receive the VA healthcare and disability benefits they deserve.
Also, please see the original message below that I sent to you—asking for your support in passing this critical legislation—which stated the following:
"Open-air burn pits were a common way to get rid of waste at military sites in Iraq and Afghanistan. Waste burned included human and medical waste, chemicals, fuel, paint, unexploded ordnance, petroleum and lubricants, plastics, etc.
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the largest post-9/11 veterans organization and a huge 82% of their members report they were exposed during deployments and 9 in 10 report they may have associated health symptoms.
The House-passed Honoring Our PACT Act (H.R. 3967) is comprehensive legislation, a culmination of years of work by national veterans groups, to finally establish that if a veteran has suffered an injury from toxic exposures like from burn pits during their deployments, they will be granted disability and healthcare benefits by the VA.
The Senate Majority Leader has promised a floor vote on the House-passed PACT Act this year. I ask that you stand with IAVA and 60+ veterans organizations nationwide who have made this our #1 priority, to vote in support of the Honoring our PACT Act when it comes to the floor!"
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
And, after I sent those letters to my Senators, I made a one-time donation to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) in order to show my support for our U.S. Veterans!
–Paul Whiting (written June 10th, 2022, revised June 22nd, 2022, revised June 25th, 2022, revised June 26th, 2022, revised July 19th, 2022, revised September 4th, 2022, revised November 18th, 2022, revised December 26th, 2022, revised December 30th, 2022, revised January 1st, 2023, revised March 10th, 2023, revised October 23rd, 2023 and revised November 30th, 2023)
[I feel like I need to clarify why there are so many 'revised dates' on this 'update,' just like there are often times so many 'revised dates' on other 'updates' similar to this one! You see, I really try to keep my writing consistent as possible across all of my blogs. Therefore, as I am writing, I try to use the same phraseology wherever possible with regard to similar types of my writing so that, when I am editing my writing, I can change all of the similar writing at the same time and in the same way! Thus, a lot of the revisions indicated above, after my name (–Paul Whiting), and shown right after the original 'written date,' are often times due to these aforementioned consistent-writing revisions.]
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July 19th, 2022 Update: I received an email from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) today, July 19th, 2022, with the subject line, "We Need Your Help to Pass the Pact Act", which stated, in part, the following:
Paul,
Last week the Honoring Our PACT Act passed the House with a strong bipartisan vote of 342-88. Now the PACT Act will be voted on by the Senate soon! We need your help more now than ever in getting this vital legislation passed so those suffering from military toxic exposures receive the VA healthcare and disability benefits they deserve.
You can help by asking your US Senators to pass the Honoring Our PACT Act. Use this link to call your US Senator today.
Call Your US Senator:
https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm?utm_source=EML_CUL_071922PACTAct_Email-Header_camp-TakeAction&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=TakeAction
Onward!
[Name redacted], [Title redacted], Government Affairs for IAVA
However, rather than calling my Senators, I wrote to them instead, since I usually communicate in writing to my Senators—that way, I have a written record of what I communicated. So, I sent email letters to my Senators, on their websites, urging them to support passing this critical legislation, which can be found below:
Message Subject: Please vote to pass the Honoring Our PACT Act
Dear Senator [Name],
Last week the Honoring Our PACT Act passed the House with a strong bipartisan vote of 342-88. Now the PACT Act will be voted on by the Senate soon!
Veterans need your help more now than ever in getting this vital legislation passed so that those suffering from military toxic exposures receive the VA healthcare and disability benefits they deserve.
So, I am writing to you today to ask that you please vote to pass the Honoring Our PACT Act!
Thank you for your time and for your consideration in this matter.
Yours very truly,
-Paul Whiting
[Street Address and Apt. No. redacted]
Portland, Oregon
[ZIP Code redacted]
And, after I sent those letters to my Senators, I made a one-time donation to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) in order to show my support for our U.S. Veterans!
–Paul Whiting (written July 19th, 2022, revised December 19th, 2022, revised January 1st, 2023, revised March 10th, 2023, revised October 23rd, 2023 and revised November 30th, 2023)
[I feel like I need to clarify why there are so many 'revised dates' on this 'update,' just like there are often times so many 'revised dates' on other 'updates' similar to this one! You see, I really try to keep my writing consistent as possible across all of my blogs. Therefore, as I am writing, I try to use the same phraseology wherever possible with regard to similar types of my writing so that, when I am editing my writing, I can change all of the similar writing at the same time and in the same way! Thus, a lot of the revisions indicated above, after my name (–Paul Whiting), and shown right after the original 'written date,' are often times due to these aforementioned consistent-writing revisions.]
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October 23rd, 2023 Update—Continued Further (Originally From My Blog Post Titled, "I Am No Longer Being An Activist In The Same Way That I Was," Which Is On My "Poet, Artist and Philosopher" Blog): I received an email from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) today, October 23rd, 2023, with the subject line "Making sure veteran voices are heard in Washington", which stated, in part, the following:
Paul —
Since 2004, IAVA has led the charge fighting (and winning!) on behalf of post-9/11 veterans and their families.
Critical to our success has been our members who are willing to step up and join the fight when IAVA brings them from across the country to Washington to meet with policymakers face-to-face.
Our 2023 IAVA Leadership Fellows were in D.C. last week to meet with lawmakers and talk about our priorities. ...
... Our 2023 Leadership Fellows recently met with multiple U.S. Senators, Representatives, and their staffs to discuss the priorities IAVA members identified as the most important to them.
Our country is in a critical moment, and it’s more important than ever for our leaders to hear veterans’ voices in Washington and the national conversation.
We also can’t amplify the voices of post-9/11 veterans without your help. That’s why we are humbly asking:
Can you donate today to support IAVA’s work fighting on behalf of the post-9/11 generation of veterans? No donation is too small to make an impact.
DONATE TODAY:
https://donate.iava.org/give/504988/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=WEB_WEB_000000IAVAMenuDonateButton_WebsiteHeader_camp-Website
Thank you so much for helping to fuel our fight.
Onward!
Team IAVA
And, after I read the email above, I made a one-time donation to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) in order to show my support for our U.S. Veterans! –Paul Whiting (written October 23rd, 2023 and revised November 30th, 2023)
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October 24th, 2023 Update No. 7 [My Writing About How I Have Changed The Way That I Label My Blog Posts 'Updates' For Any Additional 'Updates' That I Write, After The First 'Update,' By Using A Simple Numbering System, Which Starts With The First 'Update' (Originally From My Blog Post Titled, "I Am No Longer Being An Activist In The Same Way That I Was," Which Is On My "Poet, Artist and Philosopher" Blog)]:
I have changed the way I label the blog post 'updates' that I write because I oftentimes write more than one 'update' per day!
And in the past, I have labeled the second, third, fourth and fifth 'update' with the following extensions—on the days that I write more than 'update'—to differentiate any additional 'updates' from the first one, as follows:
[1st] Month Day, Year Update
[2nd] Month Day, Year Update—Continued
[3rd] Month Day, Year Update—Continued Further
[4th] Month Day, Year Update—Continued Further Some More
[5th] Month Day, Year Update—Continued Further Some More Than Before
However today, October 24th, 2023, I actually had more than five 'updates' to write, so I decided to change how I differentiate any additional 'updates,' from the first 'update,' by using a simple numbering system, which actually starts with the first 'update' that I write, as follows:
Month Day, Year Update No. 1
Month Day, Year Update No. 2
Month Day, Year Update No. 3
Month Day, Year Update No. 4
Month Day, Year Update No. 5
Month Day, Year Update No. 6
Month Day, Year Update No. 7
Therefore, that is why this 'update' is the seventh one for today! –Paul Whiting (written October 24th, 2023 and revised October 28th, 2023)
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November 6th, 2023 Update No. 1: I received an email from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) today, November 6th, 2023, with the subject line "This Veterans Day is about more than thanks", which stated the following:
Paul,
Veterans Day is right around the corner, and this year is an opportunity to channel gratitude into action.
Our country is at a pivotal moment, and the pressing challenges we face both at home and abroad can only be solved with two things: LEADERSHIP and UNITY.
My fellow veterans have stepped up to fight for all Americans, regardless of any real or perceived differences. We’ve united in service to our country, demonstrated that we know how to put the mission first, and we need our leaders on the national stage to follow our lead now more than ever.
IAVA is leading on behalf of America’s veterans — and we need you to join us.
This Veterans Day, will you commit to leading with us? We need your voice in the fight too.
YES, I’M WITH YOU!
https://iava.org/become-a-veteran-advocate
Together, we can make this Veterans Day — and all of Veterans Month — about more than just thanking vets.
When you add your voice to our fight, you help us build the future for our country that we put our lives on the line for.
Thanks so much for being a part of Team IAVA.
Onward!
— [First name redacted]
[Name redacted]
Iraq War Veteran
IAVA [Title redacted]
And, after I read the email above, I clicked on the hyperlink to the referenced webpage, the relevant text of which can be found below:
IAVA
BECOME A VETERAN ADVOCATE
We fight and win for veterans every day, but we can’t do it without you. Commit to supporting veterans and we’ll keep you updated about our important work and let you know how you can help.
Contact Details
First Name: Paul
Last Name: Whiting
Email: [redacted]
Postal Code: [redacted]
Submit
---------------------------------------------
IAVA'S POLICY PRIORITIES
Thank you so much for your commitment to addressing the issues that matter most to post-9/11 veterans. We’ll send you an email when it’s time to contact your representatives. In the meantime, click on the topics below to learn more about our most pressing policy priorities.
Commit to Take Action Big 6: "IAVA’s members have identified 6 priority issues that matter most to them."
COMBAT SUICIDE
IAVA is committed to ending the veteran suicide epidemic.
https://iava.org/big-6-priorities/combat-suicide/#combat-suicide
[Blogger's Note: I read the IAVA'S BIG 6 webpage titled, "COMBAT SUICIDE AMONG TROOPS AND VETERANS."]
BURN PITS & TOXIC EXPOSURES
Burn pits are the Agent Orange of our generation. Our members see burn pits as a critical, urgent and growing threat.
https://iava.org/big-6-priorities/burn-pits-toxic-exposures/#bpte
[Blogger's Note: I read the IAVA'S BIG 6 webpage titled, "BURN PITS & TOXIC EXPOSURES."]
MODERNIZE VA [Veterans Administration]
We must ensure that our veterans receive the best possible care.
https://iava.org/big-6-priorities/modernize-va/#modernize-va
[Blogger's Note: I read the IAVA'S BIG 6 webpage titled, "MODERNIZE VA."]
WOMEN VETERANS
As the number of male veterans is expected to decline in the next decades, the population of women veterans will continue to increase.
https://iava.org/big-6-priorities/women-veterans/#women-veterans
[Blogger's Note: I read the IAVA'S BIG 6 webpage titled, "WOMEN VETERANS."]
ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES
Civilians and veterans should have the same standard of care. Our veterans must have the same right to pursue alternative therapies while under VA care.
https://iava.org/big-6-priorities/cannabis-alternative-therapies/#canalt
[Blogger's Note: I read the IAVA'S BIG 6 webpage titled, "ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES," which includes the action to "Urge Congress to cosponsor and work to enact the bipartisan VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act (S. 326/H.R. 1003) that states that the VA can conduct research into the efficacy of medical cannabis as a treatment for veterans with chronic pain, PTSD, and other conditions," as outlined below*]
EDUCATION BENEFITS
The Post-9/11 GI Bill has now sent more than one million veterans and dependents to school. We must ensure veterans and their dependents have access to education benefits.
https://iava.org/big-6-priorities/education-benefits/#education-benefits
[Blogger's Note: I read the IAVA'S BIG 6 webpage titled, "EDUCATION BENEFITS."]
By the way, all of the individual webpages above are actually contained within the main webpage that is titled, "IAVA'S BIG 6: IAVA’s members have identified 6 priority issues that matter most to them." Therefore, you will see each one of the above-mentioned categories, including "COMBAT SUICIDE," "BURN PITS & TOXIC EXPOSURES," "MODERNIZE VA," "WOMEN VETERANS," "ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES" and "EDUCATION BENEFITS," on every one of the webpages. It's just that the individual webpages above highlight each particular topic listed above within the "IAVA'S BIG 6" main page.
*And, after I read the webpage above, regarding ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES, I clicked on the hyperlink to the referenced webpage, the relevant text of which can be found below:
EMPOWER VETERANS WHO WANT TO USE MEDICAL CANNABIS (S. 326/H.R. 1003)
Who You're Contacting:
[Name redacted]
[Title redacted]
[Address redacted]
[City, State and ZIP Code redacted]
[Phone number redacted]
[Name redacted]
[Title redacted]
[Address redacted]
[City, State and ZIP Code redacted]
[Phone number redacted]
[Name redacted]
[Title redacted]
[Address redacted]
[City, State and ZIP Code redacted]
[Phone number redacted]
What You're Saying
Subject: Begin VA Research on Benefits of Medical Cannabis for Veterans
[Decision Maker]:
Veterans have passionately stated that medical cannabis has helped them tackle some of the most pressing war injuries veterans face such as PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Eighty-eight percent of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) members surveyed support the additional research on medical cannabis. Policies are outdated, research is lacking, and stigma persists. IAVA has set out to change that and launch a national conversation underscoring the need for bipartisan, data-based solutions that can bring relief to millions.
I stand with my fellow IAVA members and urge you and Congress to cosponsor and work to enact the bipartisan VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act (S. 326/H.R. 1003) by Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester and Sen. Dan Sullivan, and Reps. Lou Correa and Peter Meijer, states that the VA can research the efficacy of medical cannabis as a treatment for veterans with chronic pain, PTSD, and other conditions.
[Your name]
[Your email address]
Contact Information
First name: Paul
Last name: Whiting
Email: [redacted]
Address: [redacted]
City: [redacted]
State: [redacted]
Country: [redacted]
ZIP Code: [redacted]
SEND IT!
HELP SPREAD THE WORD:
Facebook
Twitter
SUPPORT VETERANS TODAY
Our country has an obligation to fulfill its promise to honor and support vets. Make a donation today to help IAVA fulfill its mission to connect, unite, and empower post-9/11 veterans.
DONATE
So, I selected the "Share on Twitter" option (by the way, I only have a Twitter account so I can read tweets which are included in some online articles that I read) in order for me to provide you, my readers, with the text and hyperlink below:
Empower Veterans Who Want to Use Medical Cannabis (S. 326/H.R. 1003)
https://act.iava.org/empowerveteransmedicalcannabis
Thus, I become a Veteran Advocate with the IAVA (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America) in order to show my support for our U.S. Veterans! Plus, after I sent the letter above to my Senators and Representative in Congress, via the IAVA website, I made a one-time donation to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), because "our country has an obligation to fulfill its promise to honor and support vets." –Paul Whiting (written November 6th, 2023, revised November 30th, 2023 and revised April 10th, 2024)
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November 28th, 2023 Update No. 3, Written On November 30th, 2023 (Originally From My Blog Post Titled, "I Am No Longer Being An Activist In The Same Way That I Was," Which Is On My "Poet, Artist and Philosopher" Blog): I received an email from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) two days ago on November 28th, 2023, with the subject line "Veteran leadership…right when we need it", which stated the following:
Paul — IAVA has the backs of the post-9/11 generation of veterans — so much so that we’re investing in some of the best among us as a part of our work.
Don’t believe us? Hear it straight from the mouth of one of our Leadership Fellows:
Screenshot of video of IAVA Leadership Fellow [name redacted] | Click here to watch and donate to IAVA:
https://donate.iava.org/give/542166/#!/donation/checkout
“This fellowship experience has been amazing. It’s helped train me to be a better leader for our veteran community and for our nation in general. I just want to thank you for your donations and I hope you’ll continue to support these programs, so we can educate and train more veterans to have the opportunity like I did.”
— [Name redacted], 2023 IAVA Leadership Fellow
Paul, we can’t do the critical work necessary to connect, unite and empower our fellow veterans without your help.
That means we need you to step up now. To join us. And to stand shoulder to shoulder with us in our work.
Before Giving Tuesday ends, please consider investing in IAVA’s work to get the backs of the more than 3 million post-9/11 generation veterans. Every dollar makes a huge impact.
DONATE:
https://donate.iava.org/give/542166/#!/donation/checkout
Onward!
Team IAVA
And, after I read the email above, I made a one-time donation to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) on November 28th, 2023, in order to "stand shoulder to shoulder with [IAVA] in [their] work," because "IAVA has the backs of the post-9/11 generation of veterans." –Paul Whiting (written November 30th, 2023, revised December 2nd, 2023 and revised January 9th, 2024)
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December 28th, 2023 Update No. 2 (Originally From My Blog Post Titled, "I Am No Longer Being An Activist In The Same Way That I Was," Which Is On My "Poet, Artist and Philosopher" Blog): I received an email from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) today, December 28th, 2023, with the subject line "Is there anything we can say?", which stated the following:
Paul, is there anything we can say to convince you to make a donation to help IAVA before our end-of-year deadline expires at midnight on Sunday?
The next twelve months are going to be crucial for America — and our community. But we can only ensure that post-9/11 veteran voices are front and center if we have the resources to do so.
Our work is powered by grassroots supporters just like you, and time is running out for us to hit our end-of-year fundraising goal. Can you help us ensure we’re able to get the back of the post-9/11 generation of veterans into next year?
We need your support now more than ever.
Please pitch in $10, $25, or whatever makes sense for your budget today to help IAVA continue fighting hard for vets in 2024.
DONATE***
Thanks so much for standing with us.
Onward!
IAVA HQ
***[I used to include hyperlinks contained within the email messages, or the text messages, to which I am referring in these "Activism Updates"; however, I could not figure out how to include the aforementioned hyperlinks, regarding some relevant action that I had taken—such as signing a petition, sending a letter or message to my representative(s) in Congress, signing a USO 'Thank You' card, and/or making a donation—without including my personal information.]
And, after I read the email above, I made a one-time donation to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) in order to "help [IAVA] ensure [they're] able to get the back of the post-9/11 generation of veterans into next year," because "[IAVA] can only ensure that post-9/11 veteran voices are front and center if [they] have the resources to do so." –Paul Whiting (December 28th, 2023)
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February 17th, 2024 Update No. 1, Which Also Discusses February 16th, 2024: I received an email from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) yesterday, February 16th, 2024, with the subject line "Add your name to restore GI Bill benefits for Black veterans", which stated the following:
Paul,
When the GI Bill was originally signed into law in 1944, it promised prosperity to our 16 million WWII veterans for years to come – yet, Black veterans didn’t benefit. There were massive gaps in wealth, education, and civil rights between white and Black veterans, making it difficult for Black veterans to pursue higher education, apply for unemployment insurance, or purchase their first homes.
The good news is, there’s a bill in Congress that seeks to rectify these injustices. The GI Bill Restoration Act would help repair the economic harm experienced by Black World War II veterans and their families who were denied full access to GI Bill benefits.
This is where you come in: As leading voices in the fight to protect post-9/11 GI bill benefits, IAVA members have an opportunity to speak up for WWII veterans as well.
Will you sign our petition today to call on Congress to pass the GI Bill Restoration Act?
Your advocacy can help affected veterans and their families access the VA home loan guarantee, receive educational benefits, and even create a study to fix inequities in how benefits are given to minority veterans.
This Black History Month – and every month – we’re fighting to correct historic injustices like these and we won’t rest until we secure benefits like those that all our WWII veterans earned. Add your name to our petition now >>>***
Thank you,
Team IAVA
***[I used to include hyperlinks contained within the email messages, or the text messages, to which I am referring in these "Activism Updates"; however, I could not figure out how to include the aforementioned hyperlinks, regarding some relevant action that I had taken—such as signing a petition, sending a letter or message to my representative(s) in Congress, signing a USO 'Thank You' card, and/or making a donation—without including my personal information.]
And, after I read the email above, I clicked on the hyperlink to the referenced webpage, the relevant text of which can be found below:
RESTORE GI BILL BENEFITS FOR BLACK VETERANS
Who You're Contacting:
[Name redacted]
[Title redacted]
[Address redacted]
[City, State and ZIP Code redacted]
[Phone number redacted]
[Name redacted]
[Title redacted]
[Address redacted]
[City, State and ZIP Code redacted]
[Phone number redacted]
[Name redacted]
[Title redacted]
[Address redacted]
[City, State and ZIP Code redacted]
[Phone number redacted]
What You're Saying
Subject: Please pass the GI Bill Restoration Act
[Decision Maker]:
When the GI Bill was originally signed into law in 1944, it promised prosperity to our 16 million WWII veterans for years to come – yet, Black veterans didn’t benefit. There were massive gaps in wealth, education, and civil rights between white and Black veterans, making it difficult for Black veterans to pursue higher education, apply for unemployment insurance, or purchase their first homes.
The GI Bill Restoration Act would help repair the economic harm experienced by Black World War II veterans and their families who were denied full access to GI Bill benefits. Passing it can help affected veterans and their families access the VA home loan guarantee, receive educational benefits, and even create a study to fix inequities in how benefits are given to minority veterans.
We’re fighting to correct historic injustices like these and we won’t rest until we secure benefits like those that all our WWII veterans earned.
Please pass the GI Bill Restoration Act!
[Your name]
[Your email address]
Contact Information
First name: Paul
Last name: Whiting
Email: [redacted]
Address: [redacted]
City: [redacted]
State: [redacted]
ZIP Code: 97209
SUBMIT
And, after I sent the letter above to my Senators and Representative in Congress, via the IAVA website, I made a one-time donation to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) in order to show my support for our U.S. Veterans!
–Paul Whiting (written February 17th, 2024 and revised April 10th, 2024)
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March 11th, 2024 Update No. 2 (Originally From My Blog Post Titled, "I Am No Longer Being An Activist In The Same Way That I Was," Which Is On My "Poet, Artist and Philosopher" Blog): I received an email from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) today, March 11th, 2024, with the subject line "We asked, you answered", which stated the following:
Paul,
Every year at IAVA, we send out our comprehensive Membership Survey to find out what our generation of veterans wants to see from our elected leaders and for our nation.
Our research team dug into the data from this year’s survey and now, we want to share key findings with you:
[✓] 68% of IAVA veterans support the repeal or reform of the 2001 and 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force.
[✓] 71% support legalizing cannabis at the federal level to help our fellow veterans treat their wartime wounds.
[✓] 75% also support including women in the selective service.
Additionally, a shocking 74% of IAVA veterans told us that they were disappointed with the way that democracy was working in this country.
Our leadership in Washington needs to know that they’re not just failing America, but those of us who’ve put it all on the line for our country. They need to know that what we have here in America is as much a ‘veteran’s issue’ as any other. And, IAVA is standing ready to make sure that your voice and the voice of our generation of veterans is heard.
But to fuel this fight, we need your support. Your donation in addition to your input helps us ensure that the voice of the post-9/11 generation of veterans is heard far and wide. Can you chip in whatever you can to help us continue to do so today?
I can’t thank you enough for your input, and for considering supporting our work even more. We simply couldn’t be in the fight in Washington and beyond without you.
Onward!
[Name redacted]
Iraq War Veteran
[Title redacted], IAVA
P.S. Veterans have paid their dues so IAVA membership is always free. However, we rely on voluntary donations from supporters like you. If you can, please chip in to support IAVA's advocacy work.
DONATE***
***[I used to include hyperlinks contained within the email messages, or the text messages, to which I am referring in these "Activism Updates"; however, I could not figure out how to include the aforementioned hyperlinks, regarding some relevant action that I had taken—such as signing a petition, sending a letter or message to my representative(s) in Congress, signing a USO 'Thank You' card, and/or making a donation—without including my personal information.]
And so, I made a one-time donation to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) in order to show my support for our U.S. Veterans!
–Paul Whiting (March 11th, 2024)
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March 20th, 2024 Update No. 1: I received an email from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) today, March 20th, 2024, with the subject line "A word for our nation’s leadership on the anniversary of the Iraq War", which stated the following:
Paul,
21 years ago, we went to war in Iraq.
I still remember writing my will at only 22 years old as my unit and I prepared to go over there. I definitely wasn’t the same after that sobering exercise, and especially not after returning from war.
War changes you. It changed some of my fellow veterans in really terrible ways – like my buddy who was repeatedly asked to deploy by our nation’s leaders and who now has to sleep in a separate bedroom from his wife because his night terrors are too much for her to handle.
I was also fortunate enough to have made it home from my two combat deployments to Iraq, but we all have buddies who weren't as lucky. When a fellow platoon leader lost his life making the very moves I would’ve made if I had been assigned the mission he got on that day, I made a promise to myself: That I would live worthy of his sacrifice.
And that’s exactly what IAVA is doing. We’re pushing our leadership to not just profess that they’ll do right by our veterans, our troops, and their families; to not just promise to help us achieve our legislative priorities; but to show us that they’re willing to put it all on the line for what we’re so lucky to have here in America, just like we did in Iraq and elsewhere post-9/11.
That’s what we need more than anything out of leadership right now in this most important year in our nation’s history.
Onward!
[Name redacted]
Iraq War Veteran
[Title redacted], IAVA
P.S. Veterans have paid their dues so IAVA membership is always free. However, we rely on voluntary donations from supporters like you. If you can, please chip in to support IAVA's ability to fight on behalf of the post-9/11 generation of veterans.
DONATE***
***[I used to include hyperlinks contained within the email messages, or the text messages, to which I am referring in these "Activism Updates"; however, I could not figure out how to include the aforementioned hyperlinks, regarding some relevant action that I had taken—such as signing a petition, sending a letter or message to my representative(s) in Congress, signing a USO 'Thank You' card, and/or making a donation—without including my personal information.]
And so, I made a one-time donation to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) in order to show my support for our U.S. Veterans!
–Paul Whiting (March 20th, 2024)
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April 10th, 2024 Update No. 2 (Originally From My Blog Post Titled, "I Am No Longer Being An Activist In The Same Way That I Was," Which Is On My "Poet, Artist and Philosopher" Blog): I received an email from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) today, April 10th, 2024, with the subject line "12%.", which stated the following:
12%. That’s how many IAVA members reported they were survivors of military sexual trauma, Paul.
And a staggering 63% of those who reported surviving military sexual trauma said they were retaliated against.
When our fellow servicemembers sign up to serve their country, they know they may face attacks from our enemies. But they don’t anticipate facing attacks by their brothers or sisters in arms. IAVA has always been a leader in advocating for survivors, but more is needed to ensure survivors get the care, support, and protection they deserve.
This Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, will you join us in calling on Congress to pass the Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act?
SIGN THE PETITION***
The bill would increase access to health care for survivors, strengthen oversight of the claims process, and ensure survivors have proper access to the VA counseling and benefits they need to heal.
With 42% of IAVA members stating that they believe the Department of Defense is not effectively addressing the problem of military sexual trauma, it’s clear that leaders in Washington need to adjust their priorities to better support survivors.
Sign our petition now to demand Congress pass this bill and give survivors the care, support, and protection they deserve >>>***
Thank you,
Team IAVA
P.S. Veterans have paid their dues so IAVA membership is always free. However, we rely on voluntary donations from supporters like you. If you can, please chip in to support IAVA's ability to fight on behalf of the post-9/11 generation of veterans.
DONATE***
***[I used to include hyperlinks contained within the email messages, or the text messages, to which I am referring in these "Activism Updates"; however, I could not figure out how to include the aforementioned hyperlinks, regarding some relevant action that I had taken—such as signing a petition, sending a letter or message to my representative(s) in Congress, signing a USO 'Thank You' card, and/or making a donation—without including my personal information.]
And, after I read the email above, I clicked on the hyperlink to the referenced webpage, the relevant text of which can be found below:
CALL ON CONGRESS TO PASS THE
SERVICEMEMBERS AND VETERANS
EMPOWERMENT AND SUPPORT ACT
Who You're Contacting:
[Name redacted]
[Title redacted]
[Address redacted]
[City, State and ZIP Code redacted]
[Phone number redacted]
[Name redacted]
[Title redacted]
[Address redacted]
[City, State and ZIP Code redacted]
[Phone number redacted]
[Name redacted]
[Title redacted]
[Address redacted]
[City, State and ZIP Code redacted]
[Phone number redacted]
What You're Saying
Subject: Pass the Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act
[Decision Maker]:
12%. That's how many IAVA members reported they were survivors of military sexual trauma.
And a staggering 63% of those who reported surviving military sexual trauma said they were retaliated against.
When our fellow servicemembers sign up to serve their country, they know they may face attacks from our enemies. But they don't anticipate facing attacks by their brothers or sisters in arms.
The Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act would increase access to health care for survivors, strengthen oversight of the claims process, and ensure survivors have proper access to the VA counseling and benefits they need to heal.
This Sexual Assaull Awareness and Prevention Month, will you join us in supporting survivors and pass the Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act to give survivors the care, support, and protection they deserve?
[Your name]
[Your email address]
Contact Information
First name: Paul
Last name: Whiting
Email: [redacted]
Address: [redacted]
City: [redacted]
State: [redacted]
Country: [redacted]
ZIP Code: [redacted]
SEND IT!
HELP SPREAD THE WORD:
Facebook
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SUPPORT VETERANS TODAY
Our country has an obligation to fulfill its promise to honor and support vets. Make a donation today to help IAVA fulfill its mission to connect, unite, and empower post-9/11 veterans.
DONATE
So, I selected the "Share on Twitter" option (by the way, I only have a Twitter account so I can read tweets which are included in some online articles that I read) in order for me to provide you, my readers, with the text and hyperlink below:
Add your name to our petition right now to call on Congress to pass the Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act
https://act.iava.org/empowerandsupportact
And, after I sent the letter above to my Senators and Representative in Congress, via the IAVA website, I made a one-time donation to Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) in order to "demand Congress pass this [Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act] bill and give survivors the care, support, and protection they deserve" during "Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month." –Paul Whiting (April 10th, 2024)
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This "Small All White in the Forest" Post No. 058 was edited on April 15th, 2024.
"Poetry is using the fewest words possible in order to describe all that is possible to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]
