AP reported that 24-year-old Blake Evans from Rockport, IL was hit by an improvised explosive device... According to his family, Evans was on his second tour in Iraq and was looking forward to returning home on leave next month to spend time with his wife and two children, the youngest of whom is turning 2 years old next week... … View Post »

On Memorial Day this week Codepink held a nationwide Banner Drop around the world... So, our local group gathered at the North St overpass above I-74 in Peoria at 3:00 pm... … View Post »

HOW YOU CAN HELP Here are ways that YOU can help change the reality of Iraqi families today - honoring Mother s Day by honoring mothers and children in Iraq and those who have been forced to leave their homes... When you donate today, 100% of the proceeds will go toward the Collateral Repair Project, a grassroots movement working with CODEPINK to address the catastrophic displacement of the five million Iraqis who had to leave their homes and communities because of violence and instability... CRP offers food, education, job training and other vital services to refugees in Iraq, Jordan and Syria... You can donate below and make a donation in the name of a loved one ( minimum donation $25 )... We will send a lovely card to anyone who s played a nurturing role in your life so make sure you complete the information below and indicate the recipient, address and message!... $25 will feed one internally displaced person in Iraq for one month $50 will supply 8 soccer balls for children in Iraq to exchange for their war toys $100 will feed a family of five living in Iraq for one month Feed The Hungry $250-500 will support small women - based microprojects to promote economic self - sufficiency for women in Jordan $500 will buy fans for classrooms for the Samawa School Project in Iraq $700 will provide new windows for the Samawa School Project in Iraq $1,500 will launch the Najaf Sewing Training Project, training 50+ women sewing / embroidery... Other ( all donations in any amount are welcome as they all will contribute to these amazing projects ) Use this simple and secure form ( scroll page at website to access form ) to make your donation... We are a 501 - C3 org and your contribution is tax deductible... … View Post »

A 10th Mountain Division soldier who went AWOL claiming his commanding officers threatened to send him back to Iraq despite his listing as medically unfit for combat planned to surrender Friday to Fort Drum authorities and ask for an investigation into his treatment... Bryan Currie, 21, of Charleston, S.C., will ask Army Secretary Pete Geren to convene a court of inquiry a rarely used administrative fact - finding process to investigate top generals at Fort Carson, Colo.;... The request calls for convening a panel to investigate the case of Currie and four other soldiers at Fort Carson and Fort Hood who also were set to be deployed despite medical holds... The court should investigate the extent to which the generals have been derelict in failing to provide for the health and welfare of wounded soldiers, according to the request... … View Post »

Dozens of U.S. troops in Iraq fell sick at bases using unmonitored and potentially unsafe water supplied by the military and a contractor once owned by Vice President Dick Cheneys former company, the Pentagons internal watchdog says... A report obtained by The Associated Press said soldiers experienced skin abscesses, cellulitis, skin infections, diarrhea and other illnesses after using discolored, smelly water for personal hygiene and laundry at five U.S. military sites in Iraq... The Pentagons inspector general found water quality problems between March 2004 and February 2006 at three sites run by contractor KBR Inc., and between January 2004 and December 2006 at two military - operated locations... But it said KBRs water quality was not maintained in accordance with field water sanitary standards and the military - run sites were not performing all required quality control tests... … View Post »

On the underside of the two stars that rest on each shoulder of Fort Carsons top general, the names Kevin and Jeff are engraved... Gen. Mark Graham honors his sons, two young men who did not live long enough to see their father pin on those stars... Kevin Graham, 21, a top ROTC cadet at the University of Kentucky, hanged himself June 21, 2003, from a ceiling fan in his apartment... No one saw the lethality of his depression... For a man who is not sure why he joined the military more than 30 years ago, no general in todays Army has a more intimate understanding of wars hardships and the mental health issues that follow than Fort Carsons commander... Not a day goes by that he doesnt think about his sons... … View Post »