Thank you! The pressure is working! Take action today. from IVAW 26JAN12

TO all who participated in lobbying the commander of Ft Hood to address the issues of military sexual trauma and PTSD, TBI and care for our troops this update from IVAW. General Campbell is holding a virtual town hall tonight via Facebook and phone calls in response to the pressure he has received from the thousands of postcards received from the IVAW campaign (see my initial post on this blog on the campaign VETERANS DAY 2011 FOCUS: WOMEN VETS AND SERVICE MEMBERS 7NOV11 posted 11NOV11). Thank you to all who participated for your support of our troops!

Take Action Join our virtual vigil by posting a message on the Fort Hood Facebook wall that says, "I support Fort Hood soldiers' rights to heal from military trauma" Donate now if you like our work. Send us your feedback. After two months of pressure from the Operation Recovery campaign, Fort Hood Commander announces he will hold a town hall Help keep the pressure on by posting a message on Fort Hood's Facebook wall before tonight's virtual town hall event. Since November, the General has received postcards from thousands of Operation Recovery campaign supporters like you urging him to hold a town hall community forum to address the crisis of untreated trauma at Fort Hood. Tonight's virtual town hall is strictly for the Fort Hood community, and soldiers and their family members will be asking questions via Facebook and phone calls. But we want General Campbell and the Fort Hood community to know that thousands around the nation care what happens to soldiers there. Today, before the town hall takes place, will you post this simple message on the Fort Hood Facebook wall? I support Fort Hood soldiers' rights to heal from military trauma. Then let us know you took action by sending us an email. It's that simple. Please make your post BEFORE 2:00 PM Pacific, 3:00 PM Mountain, 4:00 PM Central, or 5:00 PM Eastern. We don't want to clog up Facebook and prevent Fort Hood soldiers from asking important questions tonight during the actual town hall. This is a forum we have fought for, and we don't want to undermine the opportunity for service members' voices to be heard. This virtual town hall is not perfect We are pleased that General Campbell has agreed to hold this event, but the virtual format makes it easy for him to avoid answering the tough questions about untreated military trauma plaguing his base. To ensure these issues are addressed, we are co-hosting a simultaneous public gathering with Under the Hood Cafe and Outreach Center, where soldiers and their families will submit questions that address the critical issues at Fort Hood, including: 1) inadequate access to behavioral health counseling 2) commanders overriding the advice of medical doctors 3) over-medication of soldiers 4) a culture that allows sexual harassment and assault to occur Making a town hall virtual also reinforces the alienation and anonymity experienced by soldiers who who need help. Naomi, whose husband serves in Fort Hood's 2-5 Cavalry says, "Having a virtual town hall doesn't bring people together in a visible way to see and discuss our common experience." Our in-person gathering will bring soldiers together to let them know they are not alone. Show your solidarity before tonight's town hall with a Facebook post. Go to the Fort Hood Facebook wall and post this short message: I support Fort Hood soldiers' rights to heal from military trauma. Then let us know you took action by sending us an email. Again, please make your Facebook post BEFORE 2:00 PM Pacific, 3:00 PM Mountain, 4:00 PM Central, or 5:00 PM Eastern. Imperfect as it is, this virtual town hall is an important first step, but Operation Recovery will continue our work to end the deployment of traumatized troops and ensure that soldiers have the right to heal at Fort Hood and around the nation. Thank you for your continued support of our campaign. In Solidarity, The Operation Recovery Campaign Team Iraq Veterans Against the War P.S. Base commanders don't hold town halls regularly. The only other town hall in Fort Hood's history was in 2010 after the major crisis of the mass shooting that killed 13 soldiers. Clearly, the Fort Hood community is in crisis again with thousands of troops cycling out of Iraq after multiple tours of duty. A recent Army report shows that despite expanded efforts at suicide and substance abuse prevention, Army suicides are at a record high and violent sex crimes by active duty service members has increased by a whopping 30%.

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