We invite you to attend any of a few upcoming mid-Missouri events promoting peace and compassionate support for US troops. We hope to see you in these settings next week.

In hopes of good health and joy for you and your loved ones. In struggle for peace with justice and in solidarity,
Jeff Stack
Mid-MO Fellowship of Reconciliation
573-449-4585

1) Attend "Rethinking Afghanistan—The Human Costs of War," Monday, Jan. 31st beginning at 6:30 in Rm. 104 of Arts &
Science (A&S) building on the MU campus. The educational evening commences with a showing of the acclaimed documentary "Rethink Afghanistan" by Robert Greenwald, which examines the impact of the nine-year war on Afghanistan and
the United States.
 
A discussion will follow at approximately 7:30, with presentations by Maihan Abdullah, M.D., a Fulbright Scholar from Afghanistan, currently studying at MU, and William Stewart-Starks, an Army veteran and Plains States regional coordinator with Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW). Stewart is also a national organizer with IVAW's Operation Recovery, advocating that war-traumatized veterans not be re-deployed to combat in Afghanistan or Iraq. Sponsored by the Columbia Peace Coalition.

2) Join us for a news conference-- informing Mid-Missouri of "Operation Recovery," a national, veteran-led initiative advocating that war-traumatized vets not be redeployed to war zones-- will take place at 9:30 am, Tuesday, February 1 in Conference Room A of the Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia.
 
The conference will feature: Will Stewart-Starks, who was an active duty combat medic in Iraq, now living in Lawrence KS and serving both as a
regional leader with Iraq War Veterans Against the War (IVAW) and a national organizer with IVAW's "Operation Recovery;" Russ Breyfogle of Columbia, a veteran and social worker for 20 years at the Fulton State Mental Hospital (who worked with many traumatized veterans as a therapist); and Steve Jacobs, a veteran and registered nurse who worked at the VA hospital for 7 years as a psychiatric nurse, frequently treating veterans psychologically traumatized by war. He's also a community member of the St. Francis Catholic Worker which operates a hospitality house for homeless men, many of whom are veterans.; and Steve Jacobs of Columbia, who is a registered nurse and worked with the Veterans Administration for seven years as a psychiatric nurse, frequently treating veterans psychologically traumatized by war. Bill Wickersham of Columbia, an educational psychologist and leader of the local chapter of Veterans for Peace (VFP) will facilitate the conference.
 
"Operation Recovery" strives to encourage US political and military leaders to allow traumatized veterans to get the psychological and/or medical
treatment they need rather then be re-deployed to combat in Afghanistan, Iraq or elsewhere. Thousands of exhausted troops have been on multiple tours of duty and suffer deeply from the trauma of war. Many are being denied their right to heal by the U.S. military so it can continue the ongoing
occupations. For more information on the project log onto http://www.ivaw.org/operation-recovery.

3) Attend Weekly Peace Vigils, happening in Mid-Missouri:

Saturdays
Columbia from 10-11 am in front of Columbia's Post Office on Walnut St.

Wednesdays  
Jefferson City from 12 Noon-1, Post Office, High St.  

Columbia from 4:30-5:30 pm at  Broadway and Providence.

Fulton 2nd Wed. (next one 2/9) 4:15-5:15 Callaway Co. Courthouse, Market & 5th St.