South Carolina is home to numerous military bases along with thousands of service members, military families, and veterans who choose to put down roots after they served. The state has a deep history of service and sacrifice. That’s why Coast Guard veteran Frank Bullock believes South Carolina is the right state to lead the way... Read more »

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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 »

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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 »

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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 »

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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 »

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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 »

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To say that 2020 was a different kind of year would be an understatement. We faced unprecedented challenges as a nation. But it has been encouraging to see Americans watch out for each other while adapting to difficult circumstances. Despite these challenges, the men and women who make up the ranks of Concerned Veterans for... Read more »

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By John Byrnes, CVA Director of Education On September 11, 2001, I was called to duty. I still remember clearly, hearing the news that the first plane had hit one of the twin towers, as I sat in a Manhattan classroom. I was only one year into my enlistment, having done a previous four-year stint... Read more »

The post John Byrnes: The war in Afghanistan has gone on so long, it’s outlasted my 22-year military career appeared first on Concerned Veterans for America.

By Nate Banks, New Mexico Grassroots Engagement Director Just about everyone old enough to remember can tell you where they were on 9/11. Hearing the news was an unforgettable moment for many, and a defining moment for me. The course of my life changed that day. I was in a pre-deployment briefing when we found... Read more »

The post Nate Banks: Nearly 20 years later, my daughter could serve in the same war I did appeared first on Concerned Veterans for America.

The New York Times reported last week that the Department of Defense is putting together plans for withdrawing troops from Afghanistan. According to sources, one such plan would speed up the timeline to withdraw troops before early November. Additional plans favor a lengthier timeline, including removing troops by mid-2021 as stated in a deal reached... Read more »

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