Sunday, 5 February 2006
Veterans plan Operation Firing for Effect Rally in Washington DC, April 25, 2006
The previous post regarding fully funding the VA Health Care system was not only timely but a very good lead-in to this article I decided to do for my brother Gene D. Simes, Veterans for Veterans Connection (VVC).
In regards to the never ending 'unethical" attacks led by "political" non-Veterans on our Military Awards and Decorations system by smearing medals earned by combat Veterans, I quote Gene, "I earned these medals, but now when I see a politician pin a medal on a Veteran, I think they do it to make themselves feel good." VFVC President, Gene Simes.Fed up with Veterans Service Organization leaders, members of Congress, and various administrations playing decades of endless political football with the issue of mandatory funding of Veterans Health Care and related Veterans, Military Retiree, Troop, and their family budgetary funding, Operation Firing for Effect Rally organizers want as much passion placed on “mandatory funding of the VA,” as TAX CUTS for those who did not serve or the Flag Amendment by our VSO leaders, Congress, and the President. Bobby "Indy Thinker" Hanafin's words not necessarily Brother Simes' yet I believe we are on the same mission when it comes to the need to get our Repesentatives spending priorities and FOCUS straight. Speaking on the phone this weekend with Operation Firing for Effect Coordinator and Chairman, Vietnam Veteran Gene D. Simes, he told me that the event was intended to be more a demonstration of Veterans' frustration and solidarity than a protest. The simple message of the Operation Firing for Effect Rally is “Support Your Troops by Supporting Their Benefits”.As a member of Military Families Speak Out, I expressed my concerns to Gene that the rally does not address the War in Iraq. Concerns previously posted on this forum and others that one cannot separate the COSTS, in lives and money, of the War in Iraq from the COSTS to care for America’s Veterans and new generation of Veterans now returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The nation cannot afford tax cuts, pay for the War in Iraq, and mandatory funding of the VA Health Care system. One or two of these issues is going to have to go away, and it is not going to be TAX CUTS as long as the NEO-CONS are in power. Bobby “Indy Thinker” Hanafin supports Operating Firing for Effect with these concerns noted. However, as reminded by a Medal of Honor recipient and motivational speaker Paul Bucha at a Veterans advocacy meeting in Wisconsin during 2005. At least Brother Gene Simes and his organizers are ready, willing, and able to TAKE ACTION in order to demand Congress and the President give America’s Veterans, Military Retirees, Our Troops, and our families the respect and dignity we deserve, and that beats sitting at our computers, sending emails to eachother, or calling into talk shows pissing, moaning, whining, then DOING NOTHING. Here are a few video clips of Gene rallying Vets last year for this effort. http://millionvetmarch2006.com.previewyoursite.com/ All are encouraged to connect with the various contacts Gene has arranged and let us get as many to Washington in time for the warmer weather and put a fire under Congress and the White House to make funding of the VA budget mandatory. Given this effort is not organized, endorsed, nor coordinated by any of the leaders of our mainstream VSOs - IT JUST MIGHT WORK! Contact for more info:
Coordinator and Chairman of Firing for Effect
Gene D. Simes, Veterans for Veterans Connection (VFVC)
1700 Waterford Road
Walforth, NY 14568
Office: 315 986-7322 Cell: 585 329-4711
Email: Gdsusa@rochester.rr.comListen to Vietnam Veteran Gene Simes “Live-On the Air” at Star Dust Radio. Visit: http://www.stardustradio.com/ Related Operation Firing for Effect organizer websites:
http://millionvetmarch2006.com/ and http://www.vfvc.net/
On the same date (25 April 2006), and at the same time (Tuesday, 0:800 AM),the D.C. March takes place on the steps of our Nation's Capitol, a similar such March will take place on the steps of
http://www.capitol50.com/ClickList.html EVERY STATE CAPITOL/VA FACILITY IN THE USA!
This will be an unprecedented STRONG demonstration of strength and conviction of purpose. As each State reaches the appointed date and time on Tuesday, at 08:00 AM, the media in each State will cover the news of the event LOCALLY. Even more however, as the 08:00 AM hour moves across the USA (like a wave), the events in each State may receive National media coverage, especially in those larger states, or in States significant to Veterans. Just to mention a few, you have Indiana, home of the Congressman Steve Buyer, Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee. You have Texas, home of
the President. You have similar coverage in the home State of the new House Majority Leader John Boehner, Ohio, and other members of the major Congressional leadership (VP, majority and minority leaders, the other applicable committee Chairman, and Colorado, home of the Secretary of VA. You also get coverage in the larger populated States, and those with a large veteran's population, or a large Military presence like California, Virginia, and Florida.
American Citizens, military retirees, military veterans and anyone wishing to "Really Support the Troops", with more than a magnetic sticker on your vehicle. If you absolutely cannot make it to DC, then start preparing your picket signs/posters/bull horns etc. now and ensure to arrive early the morning of the 25th, either at your State Capitol, or near your State/Local VA Health Care Facilities and ensure to voice your opinion by telling them "WE SUPPORT OUR VETERANS IN WASHINGTON DC!" Get your local media's attention and then point them to Washington to observe "The March for Millions of Veterans - SPEAKING WITH ONE VOICE" (OPERATION FIRING FOR EFFECT).
Local demos will make it easier for the older and disabled citizens/military retirees and military veterans to participate, be less costly, and spread the Vet rallies impact out all across the United States. The local groups can arrange news coverage from their State and local news media, which will attract the attention of the national news media.BackgroundSTARDUST INTERNET RADIO STATIONPresents Every Tuesday United We Roll 4 p.m. Eastern 3 p.m. Central 2 p.m. Mountain 1 p.m. Pacific Call 877 213-4329, 319-648-5143, 319-648-3201 Get ready to fire with effect. WELCOME TO VFVC ON THE AIR LIVE!This Tuesday and every Tuesday, we need as many to log onto the Interactive Virtual Auditorium, numbers count to support the concerns that our Veterans, and those that are now serving are facing. Every Tuesday 9 P.M. Eastern 8 p.m. Central 7 p.m. Mountain 6 p.m. PacificHosted by Gene D. Simes, President VFVC, Chairman, and coordinator of Operation Firing for Effect.
The Veterans March
Last June 2005, Gene and the Grassroots Veterans of this nation addressed the U.S. Representatives and the Representatives of Veterans Affairs, on behalf of our Nation’s Veterans and those that are now serving. The Veterans marched to the Capitol for the first time. This was a historical moment and truly opened the doors for communication to the Grassroots Veterans as they marched towards the Capitol uninvited and supported by Congressman Bob Filner, fifty-first district of California. Mr. Jeffrey E. Phillips, Communications Director, of the Committee of Veterans Affairs with other VA Representatives, welcomed the Veterans for over two hours. Since then, there has been a second meeting, December 6, 2005, and it lasted for over four and a half hours. Our Grassroots Veterans of this nation have woken up. Operation Firing for Effect and The Veterans March will be in Washington this coming April 2006.
Call in and let us talk 877 213-4329, 319648-5143, 319 648-3201END OF ARTICLEThough of course any response to my postings are WELCOME, I prefer any questions or comments to Operation Firing for Effect and the Veterans Demonstration in Washington, DC planned for April 2006 be directed to Brother Gene D. Simes below. Contact for more info:
Coordinator and Chairman of Firing for Effect
Gene D. Simes, Veterans for Veterans Connection (VFVC)
1700 Waterford Road
Walforth, NY 14568
Office: 315 986-7322 Cell: 585 329-4711
NOTE: Commentary on VSO leadership, the Flag Amendment, and getting our spending priorities and FOCUS straight in Washington, DC are mine only and do not necessarily reflect a position of either Veterans for Common Sense (VCS), Veterans for Veterans Connection (VFVC), or Brother Gene D. Simes. Bobby "Indy Thinker" Hanafin
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12 Feb 2006
 Bobby "Indy Thinker" Hanafin
[QUOTE] yahhh! well it took me a week or two to get past the fact that no one seemed to give a damn about the sexual assault of female soldiers - i still can't believe - or rather do not want to believe that - but the total lack of response speaks volumns maryriver[QUOTE]
Mary,
Go on lady don't let me patronize you. However, Mary believe it or not you are preachin to the choir.
Methinks, this is a relatively new Weblog VCS is starting up, and I'm a member of quite a few who has been invited to rant and rave on this one.
Mary you are obviously quite close to the issue of sexual harrassment of military women and Veterans, and I probably am the only one on the site who even addressed it.
But Mary just because there hasn't been any response to it don't mean no other Vets give a shit because they are guys.
Yep, I'm a skeptic just like YOU, and yes the reality is that the good ole boy network needs to be overcome EVEN in the VSO world.
That takes very strong WOMEN with the support and backing of sensitive and supportive male counterparts.
Bottom-line Mary is that if you go back through EVERY Blog post you will notice very few if any replies.
That does not mean folks reading the material are not interested.
My experience with Weblogs and Blog that are controversial or political in nature if we like it or not is that they pick up in participation when a very contested political election approaches.
My experience has also been when a Blogger says or brings up issues that members don't want to hear or talk about = THE TRUTH.
Example: I wrote for the International Labor Communications Association (ILCA) Independent News media sponsored by the AFL-CIO as a Freelance Writer for their Iraq War Section. ILCA tends to lean leftist in orientation and labor movement intensive. Because I let my research lead me to what I need to write and say, and it may not be leftist, I was accused of plagerism and canned. (If one can fire a volunteer). Anyway, I was told my services were no longer needed because their focus was the labor movement, and I spent too much time focusing on the Iraq War.
Do you imagine how hurtful something like that is to say to a parent with a son or daughter now serving a second or third tour in Iraq.
Mary, I of all people understand your frustration, but by all means PLEASE do not take it personal or frustration will beat you to death. Believe me.
Give it time or YOU be the voice that is lacking on sexual harrassment of women and other female veterans concerns.
If you got the savy, contact me by email, and we can contact Charles about setting up you own Weblog.
We just cannot become experts in one area that must not be ignored when there is just so many fires to put out.
Bobby "Indy Thinker" Hanafin
7 Feb 2006
maryriver
yahhh! well it took me a week or two to get past the fact that no one seemed to give a damn about the sexual assault of female soldiers - i still can't believe - or rather do not want to believe that - but the total lack of response speaks volumns
maryriver
7 Feb 2006
Bobby "Indy Thinker" Hanafin
Thank You again for another insightful comment Mary.
Nice to hear from you.
My latest post to the lyrics of Creedence Clearwater Revival's Fortunate Son advises that Veterans' take advantage of this mid-term election year to demand mandatory funding of the VA system, make it permanent, etc...
PLEASE see my posts.
Bobby Hanafin
6 Feb 2006
maryriver
and i just came from a meeting of veterans employment reps here in MN where we were told that ch 31 vets will no longer get much training, that the va wants to just get them back to work as fast as possible and that most of the time that will not require any training. we are not to encourage them to ask for much. and we are not to encourage them to ask for training in a field they may want - but only in fields that are needed by employers in our area. in other words the fact that a veteran is entitled to ch 31 benefits does not mean they will get them.
this at the same time that many of the vet reps are pushing vets service organizations to ask for concurrent benefit payments. it is indeed a dog eat dog world.
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