Educating Students on the True Costs of War

Website

www.veteransforpeace.org

What is your idea to address an unmet need of service members, veterans and their families?

Many of our faithful service members go off to war with a desire to serve our country as loyal Americans. Having served our country in wars from WWII, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and others, many of our veterans return to the United States with a deep sentiment that their future efforts are best spent making the country aware of the need for world peace. Veterans must often explain their views as being more patriotic than marching off to wars that are often not supported by the people of our country. At Veterans For Peace believe we will be serving the needs of veterans - current and future, along with their families, by speaking in schools on the true costs of war and the need to be a culture that promotes peace.

What specific population do you plan to work with? What is their unmet need?

Our project involved two populations - veterans and current secondary school students. Our project includes the opportunity for veterans to speak at high schools throughout the United States to provide real truths about war and its aftermath to students who have already been spoken to by recruiters for the armed forces. VFP will offer information, literature and the opportunity to speak with veterans who "have been there". Students may then weigh what they have learned and make educated choices versus making decisions without all of the facts.

What is your implementation plan, and how would the $1,000 be used?

Funds provided will be used for creating sufficient materials (brochures and other literature) to be provided to students at schools where veterans (VFP members) will speak on the truths about signing up for a branch of the armed services and going off to war. Students will learn about the treatment of the people in villages where war is waged, physical and psychological effects on soldiers (PTSD, losing limbs, etc), after effects of war on the countries engaged in war, how much the U.S. spends on war efforts (versus education, infrastructure, etc.) and more. Military recruiters paint a very different picture than the reality soldiers experience. Veterans have seen first hand effects and can share their knowledge and experience.

How are volunteers the key ingredient to your solution?

Volunteers are the key to everything done at Veterans For Peace. Our membership of more than 3,000 throughout the United States are the ones carrying out the work of VFP every day in states all across the country. An idea, no matter how good, can only be achieved if many stand strong together to make the idea a reality. VFP volunteers are the ones speaking out, marching, protesting, and ensuring our nation has the facts about war. Supported by a small staff of 3 full-time and 3 part-time employees, VFP volunteers are making in-roads in communities, cities and villages about the true costs of war. Our VFP volunteer members will be the speakers in high schools in cities and towns where our chapters have a presence.

Discussion

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