This being the "holiday to give thanks!"

Who do I thank for almost 5,000 of my younger brother and sisters in arms who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan?

Who do I thank for the sadness and shame I now feel when I look at our flag?

Who do the Iraqi, Afghan, Pakistani, Syrian, etc., etc, people have to thank as they visit the graves of their loved ones?

Who do the Americans looking at living in the street have to thank, as corporate America steals the last of our great-grandchildren's wealth?

As veterans, we are less than 13% of the population, 40% of those in jail, 30% of those living on the streets and 18 of us commit suicide every day! 75% of our younger brothers and sisters still serving are losing their families because of extended and repeated deployments. Their future is redeployment from Iraq to Afghanistan.

I wonder is it time for Operation Dewey Canyon IV?

Brother Rafe - you asked me to let you know when I was ready.

I am ready!

Lets us do "...a (not so) limited incursion into the country of Congress."

Let us do an incursion into the seat of power.

We cannot and need not wait for the others.

Some of our brothers and sisters have taken control of the National Archives and other symbolic places. Some of our younger brothers and sisters have attempted to "speak truth to power" at the presidential debates.

We took the oath. - When our political leaders have been asked to join us in the symbolic retaking of that oath to uphold, support and defend the Constitution, they have nothing but excuses.

Will we wait for the other "peace" groups to reach a consensus or will we do what we and those who have gone before us have always done to defend our freedom - take the lead?

The time has once again come for us to "answer the call of duty."

We know what we need to do and we know how to do it. It takes only the will and, once again, the sacrifice.

As always - yours in solidarity, justice and peace,
Terry Buckenmeyer
Veterans For Peace
former member of GI's For Peace