FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, August 15th 2008
Contact: Justin Cliburn justincliburn@ivaw.org
IVAW State of the Union Base Tour Comes to Oklahoma August 17-19.
Events to support veterans of Iraq war will be held in Lawton and Oklahoma City during eight city military base tour.
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 will be a press conference at the State Capitol, 4th Floor Press Room, which will include Justin Cliburn, the touring IVAW members; Jason Washburn, Steve Mortillo, Marlisa Grogan, Kristofer Goldsmith, Jason Hurd and Ray Curry. Other speakers will include 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, will begin at 7:30 pm. Topics of discussion will include 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. The First Unitarian Church is located at 600 NW 13th Street in Oklahoma City.
The tour also includes two events that will take place in Lawton, Oklahoma, the home of Ft. Sill military base. Cross Rhoades Tavern, located at 1816 SW 11th Street, will host a concert sponsored by the IVAW on Sunday evening, August 17th at 8:00 pm. It will be a night of music featuring Mad Top, 8 Bit Cynics and Jabee. This event is for those 21-years old and up only. Troops and veterans get in free with ID.
Tuesday, August 19th, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, there will be a free BBQ and veteran’s workshop in the Shepler Center Ballroom, at Cameron University. Topics will include 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.
