Jessica Villarreal knows the true cost of war. She and her husband deployed to the Middle East, bringing back injuries and illnesses they will carry for the rest of their lives. Jessica recently wrote in Stars and Stripes about her experiences and what war really means for those who serve: War is more than the… Read more »
When members of the U.S. military take the oath of service, we swear to “support and defend the Constitution…[and] bear true faith and allegiance to the same.” I made this promise some 30 years ago when I joined the Marine Corps and later the Army National Guard. My oath to defend the Constitution would come… Read more »
CVA Executive Director Russ Duerstine sees America’s endless wars from a unique perspective: that of a veteran, but also of a military parent. In a recent piece in Military Times, Duerstine, father to an Iraq and Afghanistan combat veteran, shared his thoughts on the Afghanistan withdrawal in August 2021. My mind went immediately to my… Read more »
Each year, Concerned Veterans for America brings in staff from around the country for them to do what they do best: advocate policy changes that are good for veterans and the country. This event, known as Vets on the Hill, is all about veterans sharing their unique experiences and perspectives with lawmakers to drive positive… Read more »
When SSG Alex Conrad died in Somalia, he left behind many that loved him, including his sister Christie Palcisko and his fellow soldier Sam Rogers. Alex’s death was difficult to bear, especially given he died in combat in a country that the U.S. isn’t technically at war in. Following the recent anniversary of Alex’s death,… Read more »
March marks the 19th anniversary of the Iraq War, a shocking age when you consider the United States is still maintaining a troop presence. The wisdom of the Iraq War was hotly contested from the beginning. Though veterans who served there are proud of their service, many believe it is past time to bring troops… Read more »
As of December 2021, U.S. military forces in Iraq have been designated as “non-combat” and are serving in a “train and equip” capacity. But Concerned Veterans for America Senior Advisor Dan Caldwell points out that this change in mission is “a distinction without a difference.” The distinction doesn’t make troops any safer, especially given the… Read more »