Iraq War Veterans Organization
Encyclopedia
The Iraq War Veterans Organization, or IWVO, was founded on April 12, 2003, by Russell K. Terry and William T. Hutchison. The original intent of the organization was to ensure that veterans returning from the war in Iraq, would not be subjected to the same treatment of veterans from the Vietnam war
, in which both Terry and Hutchison served.
Since inception, the IWVO has created a structure of a Commander and a series of Vice Commanders, similar to that of other veterans organizations.
Colorado
, for a winter ski clinic to benefit IWVO members who were wounded in the war. IWVO National Legislative Director Daniel Rosenthal organized the trip, and within three weeks of its conception, six soldiers, sailors and marines attended the clinic. Five of the sailors and marines were from Balboa Naval Medical Center in San Diego, CA. The sixth soldier was from Tallahassee, Florida
, and was in the same unit as Rosenthal, who also attended. The event was a success, and has become an annual event, though due to shakeups within Challenge Aspen, its future is in doubt. In 2005, a summer version of the clinic was founded, with more than 30 veterans attending, and is expected to also become an annual event.
s and several are experienced in the VA system
.
On January 28, 2006 a funeral was held for IWVO Alabama member representative Douglas Barber. Barber was a PTSD speaker and lecturer who had been featured on the blog
circuit in several interviews. Barber took his own life January 16, 2006 while on the phone with the IWVO Media Director Bob Page, and while founder Russell Terry was on with Bob.
Also see: Benefits for US Veterans with PTSD
Surgeon General Gale Pollock
. In an investigative report from The Nation
journalist Joshua Kors
criticizing Pollock, IWVO co-founder Russell Terry noted:
Kors' article notes that personality disorder discharges have been a priority for the IWVO since early 2006.
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, in which both Terry and Hutchison served.
Mission statement
The current mission statement of the organization, from their website, states- To promote the social welfare of the community (that is, to promote in some way, the common good and general welfare of the people of the community);
- To assist disabled and needy war veterans and members of the U. S. Armed Forces and their dependents and the widows and orphans of deceased veterans;
- To provide entertainment, care, and assistance to hospitalized veterans or members of the U.S. Armed Forces;
- To carry on programs to perpetuate the memory of deceased veterans and members of the Armed Forces and to comfort their survivors;
- To conduct programs for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes;
- To sponsor or participate in activities of a patriotic nature;
- To provide insurance benefits for its members or dependents of its members or both; or
- To provide social and recreational activities for its members.
Structure
The IWVO structures itself into two groups. Members are veterans who join the IWVO but do not take any leadership role. Member Representatives are organized by state, and represent the IWVO and its directors in each state. Member Representatives provide support and outreach to their respective states. Most states have multiple representatives. In addition, some Member Representatives are directors for the organization. These include the National Legislative Director, National Media Director, National Membership Director, Chaplain, and other positions that the directors and founder create.Since inception, the IWVO has created a structure of a Commander and a series of Vice Commanders, similar to that of other veterans organizations.
Events
In late 2004, the IWVO began planning with Challenge Aspen, an adaptive sports organization based in AspenAspen
Populus section Populus, of the Populus genus, includes the aspen trees and the white poplar Populus alba. The five typical aspens are all native to cold regions with cool summers, in the north of the Northern Hemisphere, extending south at high altitudes in the mountains. The White Poplar, by...
Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, for a winter ski clinic to benefit IWVO members who were wounded in the war. IWVO National Legislative Director Daniel Rosenthal organized the trip, and within three weeks of its conception, six soldiers, sailors and marines attended the clinic. Five of the sailors and marines were from Balboa Naval Medical Center in San Diego, CA. The sixth soldier was from Tallahassee, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, and was in the same unit as Rosenthal, who also attended. The event was a success, and has become an annual event, though due to shakeups within Challenge Aspen, its future is in doubt. In 2005, a summer version of the clinic was founded, with more than 30 veterans attending, and is expected to also become an annual event.
PTSD
The IWVO is home to an MSN group that claims to be the largest internet based PTSD support group for veterans and family members of the Iraq War. At least one and possibly more of the posters are psychologistPsychologist
Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
s and several are experienced in the VA system
Veterans Affairs
Veterans Affairs is a term of the business that deals with the relation between a government and its veteran communities, usually administered by the designated government agency. It might refer to:*Department of Veterans' Affairs...
.
On January 28, 2006 a funeral was held for IWVO Alabama member representative Douglas Barber. Barber was a PTSD speaker and lecturer who had been featured on the blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
circuit in several interviews. Barber took his own life January 16, 2006 while on the phone with the IWVO Media Director Bob Page, and while founder Russell Terry was on with Bob.
Also see: Benefits for US Veterans with PTSD
Criticism of Gale Pollock and Personality Disorder Discharges
The IWVO has been critical of United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Surgeon General Gale Pollock
Gale Pollock
Gale S. Pollock is a retired United States Army major general who served as the Deputy Surgeon General of the United States Army from October 2006 to March 2007, and also as chief of the Army Nurse Corps. She became acting Surgeon General of the United States Army for nine months following the 20...
. In an investigative report from The Nation
The Nation
The Nation is the oldest continuously published weekly magazine in the United States. The periodical, devoted to politics and culture, is self-described as "the flagship of the left." Founded on July 6, 1865, It is published by The Nation Company, L.P., at 33 Irving Place, New York City.The Nation...
journalist Joshua Kors
Joshua Kors
Joshua Kors is an investigative reporter for The Nation. He covers military and veterans' issues.-Life:Kors is from Walnut Creek, California, where he attended Las Lomas High School...
criticizing Pollock, IWVO co-founder Russell Terry noted:
Kors' article notes that personality disorder discharges have been a priority for the IWVO since early 2006.