Veterans for America

The organization Veterans for America was created in 2006 in the joining of the the two organisations Veterans for Common Sense, founded in 2002, and Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, founded in 1980.

Background

Veterans for America is a non-profit stakeholder organization dedicated to advocacy on behalf of United States veterans who continue to serve their country by protecting the rights and interests of fellow citizens. Based on the pragmatic ideals of the American Patriot Thomas Paine, the original organisation was established "by war veterans who believe we, the people, are most secure when our country is strong and responsibly engaged with the world."

In 2006, Veterans for Common Sense became "Veterans for America", an organization partnered with the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation. Veterans for America continued VCS's focus on national security issues, with the added element of active humanitarian relief, mine mapping and other programs that address the consequences of war.

Programs

*The organization focuses on four primary program areas: national security, civil liberties, energy policy and veterans benefits.
*Activities have included large veterans' sign-on letters urging caution to the President before the invasion of Iraq, a lawsuit against the government seeking documents related to torture at the Abu Ghraib Prison and Guantánamo Bay, and a scholarship fund for combat veterans seeking careers in public office.

ee also

* Gulf War
* Iraq War

External links

* [http://www.veteransforamerica.org/ VeteransForAmerica.org] - Veterans for America home page (launched 2006)
** [http://www.veteransforamerica.org/index.cfm?Page=Module&ModuleID=99 VeteransForAmerica.org] - Special Letter to the Members of Veterans for Common Sense
** [http://www.veteransforamerica.org/files/vcs/guide.cfm VeteransForAmerica.org] - 'Resource Guide: Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom'
** [http://www.veteranspeakers.org VeteranSpeakers.org] - 'National Veterans Speakers Bureau: Honoring the sacrifice of American veterans' (VCS sponsored educational program)
* [http://www.aclu.org/International/International.cfm?ID=13966&c=36 ACLU.org] - 'Statement of Seth Pollack, Chairman, Veterans for Common Sense' (October 7, 2003)
* [http://www.commondreams.org/news2003/0311-06.htm CommonDreams.org] - 'In Letter to Bush, War Veterans "Strongly Question" Iraq Invasion, and Seek a Meeting', VCS garnered nearly 1,000 US veteran signatories: Vice Admiral Ralph Weymouth, USN, Retired Vice Admiral Jack Shanahan, USN, Retired Brigadier General Evelyn P. Foote, USA, Retired, et al. (March 11, 2003)
* [http://criticalconcern.com/links_of_interest_to_veterans_for_peace.htm Critical Concern.com] - 'Links of Interest to Veterans For Peace'
* [http://www.meria.net/subscribers/interviews/charles_sheehan-miles_veterans_for_common_sense.html Meria.net] - 'Meria with Charles Sheehan-Miles - Veterans for Common Sense & the News' (archived interview broadcast September 15, 2004)