Veterans for America

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Veterans for America, founded in 2002 as Veterans for Common Sense, is a non-profit stakeholder organization dedicated to advocacy on behalf of United States veterans who continue to serve their country by protecting the rights and interests of fellow citizens. Based on the pragmatic ideals of the American Patriot Thomas Paine, VCS was established "by war veterans who believe we, the people, are most secure when our country is strong and responsibly engaged with the world."

In 2006, Veterans for Common Sense shut its doors to become Veterans for America, an organization partnered with the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation. Veterans for America continued VCS's focus on national security issues, with the added element of active humanitarian relief, mine mapping and other programs that address the consequences of war.

[edit] Programs and Details

The organization focuses on four primary program areas: national security, civil liberties, energy policy and veterans benefits.

Activities have included large veterans' sign-on letters urging caution to the President before the invasion of Iraq, a lawsuit against the government seeking documents related to torture at Aby Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay, and a scholarship fund for combat veterans seeking careers in public office.

[edit] See also

• Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation
• Veterans for America
• The Justice Project
• Gulf War
• Iraq War
• Thomas Paine

[edit] External links

• VeteransForAmerica.org - Veterans for America home page (launched 2006)

• VeteransForAmerica.org - Special Letter to the Members of Veterans for Common Sense
• VeteransForAmerica.org - 'Resource Guide: Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom'
• VeteranSpeakers.org - 'National Veterans Speakers Bureau: Honoring the sacrifice of American veterans' (VCS sponsored educational program)

• ACLU.org - 'Statement of Seth Pollack, Chairman, Veterans for Common Sense' (October 7, 2003)
• CommonDreams.org - 'In Letter to Bush, War Veterans "Strongly Question" Iraq Invasion, and Seek a Meeting', VCS garnered nearly 1,000 US veteran signatories: Vice Admiral Ralph Weymouth, USN, Retired Vice Admiral Jack Shanahan, USN, Retired Brigadier General Evelyn P. Foote, USA, Retired, et al. (March 11, 2003)
• Critical Concern.com - 'Links of Interest to Veterans For Peace'
• Meria.net - 'Meria with Charles Sheehan-Miles - Veterans for Common Sense & the News' (archived interview broadcast September 15, 2004)