U.S. toll in Afghanistan at record high in 2008

Nearly 270 foreign soldiers, 127 of them Americans, were killed in combat in 2008,
versus 169 foreign combat deaths in 2007

Military deaths in Afghanistan

FACTBOX: Military deaths in Afghanistan; 12/28/08 Reuters
United States 629
Other nations 416
TOTAL: 1,045
http://www.reuters.com/article/asiaCrisis/idUSLS711324

one in six veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan suffers from PTSD

BELLMORE, New York (CNN) -- Walking through a crowded shopping mall can bring back memories of war. The shifting crowds, the jostle of passers-by and the din can all trigger Army Sgt. Kristofer Goldsmith's post-traumatic stress disorder. . .. . . get flashes of rage, which goes hand in hand with alcoholism I've been fighting since I got back from Iraq," Goldsmith said. Dr Gupta: Watch more on Kris Goldsmith's war experience »
As more troops return from the battlefield, the U.S. military faces a burgeoning dilemma of diagnosing and treating PTSD.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/10/24/ptsd.struggle/index.html

In early April I received a tracing of my brother's name from the Viet-Nam veteran's memorial. As I once again grieved his loss, I wrote the following poem. I also decided I would find a way to take a public stand against the Iraq war, which is a war of choice by this country. I knew I could find others to stand with me. I am very grateful for those who stand with me every Saturday, and I invite any and all who share our mission and values to join with us.

My Brother

Your name traces easy

across the smooth, black granite,

Kurt C. Hussmann.

No easier though than

your warm blood seeping into

Asian soil that long ago

November day.

"Fix me up, doc", you said

and nothing more

before you died

at 21,

rather young

to go so far away.

Two designated messengers of death

came calling on our mother.

Surely to God,

they have the wrong address

she reasoned, the wrong boy.

Her son was not

for cannonfodder,

O bitter, bitter

words of truth.

I touch the Wall.

Then recall

how many games of ball

we played,

wrestling, hugging

the way boys do,

living how we lived

before you up and went to war.

It's been 40 years

Little Man, since mom called

and told me you were gone.

I go for years myself

as if it's all O.K.

Then out of the blue

My Brother,

I go to missing you.

Rex Hussmann

April 2, 2008

Standing for Peace group members say their mission is to witness for peace

Standing for Peace group members say their mission is to witness for peace http://news.mywebpal.com/index.cfm?pnpid=680

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing"

Come Stand with Us

Come Stand with Us
When: Every Saturday at 11:00 AM – Noon
If you cannot stand for the full hour, please feel free to leave silently.
Where: Carnegie Library Building, front sidewalk 607 Broad Street, Rome, GA 30161
Dress: We suggest that you wear black clothes; however, this is optional as we do not want clothing to become a barrier to participation.
Signs: The City of Rome’s guidelines are: (1) Signs cannot be larger than 36 inches wide. (2) Signs cannot be on metal poles or wooden sticks. (3) Wording on signs cannot make personal attacks or political party statements. (4) No one under 16 can participate.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

OUR MISSION STATEMENT
WE STAND as a group of citizens who believe in the pursuit of peace.
WE STAND against the use of war to resolve social conflict or to solve national problems.
WE STAND for the use of diplomacy to settle national and global differences.
WE STAND with our military troops and their families who have sacrificed so much in the service of our country.
WE STAND in a silent, non-violent vigil for peace on a weekly basis.
We Stand for Peace

If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.”

Sexual assault and other forms of violence against women are on the rise in Iraq

Rights Group Lashes U.S. on Status of Iraq Women
Run Date: 03/06/07 By Allison StevensWashington Bureau Chief
The international rights group Madre chastises the Bush administration for supporting Islamist groups and allowing an erosion of women's rights in Iraq. Rape allegations directed at Iraqi forces are focusing the debate on U.S. involvement in Iraq. . . Sexual assault and other forms of violence against women, topics surrounded by cultural silence, are on the rise in Iraq
http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/3089/
For more information:
Madre:http://www.madre.org/