IVAW and Gold Star Fathers speak out during State of the Union Base Tour at OK State Capitol

The Iraq Veterans Against the War State of the Union Tour will be stopping at eight military bases this summer, including Ft. Sill in Lawton, OK, August 17th through 19th. The tour's goal is to entertain service members and veterans with live music and BBQs, and also to provide a forum for conversation between IVAW members and troops about the occupation, GI rights and navigating the Veterans Administration.

With the help of local organizer and IVAW South Central Regional Coordinator, Justin Cliburn, along with Veterans for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, The Peace House and the hard work of countless Iraq Vets the message will be clear to our nation's finest: You are not alone.

On Monday, August 18th, at 2:00 pm, there was a press conference at the State Capitol, 4th Floor Press Room, which included Justin Cliburn, the touring IVAW members; Jason Washburn, Steve Mortillo, Marlisa Grogan, Kristofer Goldsmith, Jason Hurd and Ray Curry and Oklahoma City members, George and Chelsea Crawford.  Other speakers included Gold Star fathers, Warren Henthorn and John Scripsick, Nathaniel Batchelder, Director of the Oklahoma City Peace House and James M. Branum, attorney with the Oklahoma GI Rights Hotline.

Monday evening a public forum event, sponsored by the Social Justice Committee of the First Unitarian Church, took place at 7:30 pm. Topics of discussion included the IVAW's Winter Soldier event in Washington DC, readings from Warrior Writers and also a Q&A period. The four day Winter Soldier event featured testimony from U.S. veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan occupations.  It was a moving experience for all that attended the event.

Tuesday, August 19th, there was a free BBQ and veteran’s workshop in the Shepler Center Ballroom, at Cameron University. Topics included how to obtain various veterans benefits, the GI Rights Hotline and other issues of interests to veterans and families maneuvering through the system.

IVAW brings together more than 1,250 veterans and active duty troops who agree that it's time to end the occupation and care for our veterans. The State of the Union tour is delivering that message of solidarity straight to our Soldiers, Marines and their families.

For more information about IVAW, please visit their website at: http://www.ivaw.org/
Bio info about tour members: http://ivaw.org/basetour/bios and http://ivaw.org/member/justin-c-cliburn