Watch: War and Peace

What does it take to bring about peace? In TED Talks: War and Peace join host Baratunde Thurston to meet those who have experienced every aspect of war — fighters, journalists, psychologists, doctors and peacemakers — for a look at the impact of war and combat in our world. Learn how it affects every one of us in these extraordinary, passionate talks and performances from actor and veteran Adam Driver, who talks about his experience as a marine and how acting helped with his transition back to civilian life, journalist Sebastian Junger reflecting on PTSD after spending years reporting from war zones, author and humanitarian Samantha Nutt examining the proliferation and supply of small arms used to intimidate civilians in war-torn countries, Jamila Raqib, a peace activist and Executive Director of the Albert Einstein Institution who works on nonviolent solutions to some of the largest conflicts of the world, and activist and mother Christianne Boudreau conveying the emotional story of her son’s conversion to radical Islam and subsequent death while fighting for ISIS in Syria.
Along with a special performance from singer Rufus Wainwright, TED Talks: War and Peace also features a series of specially curated short films from award-winning filmmakers, including Bionic Soldier, which takes a look at the MIT Media Lab’s breakthrough advances in bionic limbs, providing greater mobility and new hope to those with physical disabilities; Talk of War, which weaves together different adult voices talking to kids about war; and All Roads Point Home, which follows Linda Singh, Maryland’s highest-ranking soldier, as she uses the skills she honed in her deployments to Afghanistan and Kosovo to keep the peace during a rioting crisis in Baltimore.

War is our creation; we sell it, spread it, and profit from it, so how can we build a future without war?

http://player.pbs.org/viralplayer/2365763232

Sebastian Junger: Over-Valorizing Vets Does More Harm Than Good

Task & Purpose spoke with the “Restrepo” director about his upcoming book, “Tribe,” and why over-valorizing veterans only does more harm than good.

Few civilians can get away with talking about the military the way Sebastian Junger does. Among mainstream journalists, his commentary on the experience of being an American soldier in the post-9/11 world is unparalleled in its depth and honesty. Over the years, he’s amassed a body of award-winning work — articles, books, films — that challenges popular assumptions about what it means to serve, and the psychological impact that service has on those who do. That’s a remarkable achievement for someone who’s never worn the uniform.

Veterans With Service Dogs Know Someone Always Has Their Back

A trainer at K9s For Warriors explains how service dogs help vets handle the effects of PTSD.

When Greg Wells came home from Afghanistan in 2012, he didn’t want to leave his house.

Diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, the pills he was on didn’t seem to help. Increasingly, he felt alone and isolated until his wife suggested he try something new. 

Watch “Rare Footage of Civil War Veterans Doing the Rebel Yell”

I mentioned this video to some followers on Google plus and there was a request to share it.
So here it is! Confederate Soldiers taking turns doing the Rebel Yell!

Watch “Footage of Civil War Veterans at 50yr Anniversary in 1913 & 75yr Anniversary in 1938”

This treasure was buried under decades of American history @ the Library of Congress. Here is rare footage of our Civil War veterans. Enjoy

Reunion: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 1913

When a reunion for Civil War veterans was proposed (North AND South together on the same battlefield they met on in war) it wasn’t met with much enthusiasm from either side, but in the end the men put their differences and pride aside, met their former adversaries for a day of remembering and I’m sure healing. The reunions became an annual event with 1913 kicking off the tradition, it lasted until 1938.

Above image:
Battle of Gettsburg veterans. The picture was taken in 1913, at a reunion held on the battlefield. The man sitting on the rocks is a Confederate soldier, and the man standing is a Union soldier.

Attention Desert Storm Veterans

2016 National Memorial Day Parade

Attention Desert Storm Veterans:

The National Desert Storm War Memorial Association invites you to join with more than 500 fellow Desert Storm veterans in Washington D.C., on May 30, 2016, to take part in the National Memorial Day parade for a special commemoration the 25th anniversary of the war.

Representatives from the 33 coalition countries will join the march, as well as a contingent from the Embassy of Kuwait.

The National Desert Storm War Memorial Association has negotiated a hotel group rate for those interested in participating. For more information and to register for the parade, email Jill Etter at desertstorm25th@gmail.com.

#Stop22ADay

Gulf War Syndrome, Other Illnesses Among Veterans May Be Due To Toxic Environments

See below

n Gulf War Illness

Read a first hand account of a Gulf veteran who has been living with this illness. She, like so many of our veterans  suffer with what seems to be no hope for treatment. Follow the link below 

Gulf War Syndrome, Other Illnesses Among Veterans May Be Due To Toxic Environments

Become a Veterans Advocate

https://plus.google.com/107100628495788610377/posts/ZnpP9GMboz2

Link directly to the website here.

The Civilian-Military Gap Is More Of A Drift Than A Divide

On Oct. 8, Starbucks and the Schultz Family Foundation convened government, nonprofit, and corporate leaders from around the country in their Seattle headquarters for “The Muster,” a one-day event focused on bringing together collective leadership to advance veterans in their careers and communities. While many of the attendees included the usual stakeholders and advocates seen at similar events, this invite list included many new faces that brought new ideas and new opportunities to the conversation.

Share:

In the treaty were provisions for the hundred thousand veterans left maimed and irrevocably mute throughout the city. As is the way of things, their sacred places and comforts have dwindled to a lonely strip of shoreline and a polite nod whenever they are passed in the street.” 

― Catherynne M. Valente, 

#Stop22ADay

Veterans of Iraq, Afghanistan Show Brain Changes Related to Explosion Exposure

Our veterans need our voices!

https://plus.google.com/114787371643728022024/posts/YzywEMS3J2S

I’m embedding another post that was shared to Google plus by a veteran.*

*FYI: The embedded posts I share from Google plus will always be from veterans and/or active duty military.

#Stop22ADay

1890s-1950s Last of the Civil War veterans

For 90 years after the last shot of the American Civil War was fired, the men who had fought for the Union and the Confederacy, respectively, continued to meet, and in doing so wielded considerable political power in the nation that had divided them.

Why suicide rate among veterans may be higher than 22 a day

Excerpt from last chapter of Dark Side of the Army:

Before I detail my vision for another veteran organization, I believe it is first necessary to highlight the unique problems facing our veterans, and secondly, to paint a broad picture of the current available veteran services in order to contrast why our organization, VR&R, is unique and needed.

Habits from the military that stay with you forever

Drill sergeant

New habits and ways of life are quickly adopted, and service members find themselves acting nearly uniformly.