For this week’s Military Monday I wanted to shine a light on the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), an organization that I learned of through one of my favorite bands, O.A.R. The guys from O.A.R. (Of A Revolution, for those not familiar), together with IAVA, launched a campaign to grow support of our troops and veterans, called Open Up Your Arms.
From the site: “After meeting our injured troops at Walter Reed and later in Iraq we felt a very personal connection to the plight of the physically and emotionally injured warrior. We believe it’s time we opened up our doors, minds, and hearts to the men and women who need our support. “War Song” is a song written through and for the warrior,” said O.A.R. lead singer Marc Roberge.
I woke up this morning with an overwhelming need to hear this song. I don’t know how or why, considering I had the Juicy Fruit jingle stuck in my head from watching the Family Guy “Something Something Something Darkside” DVD last night. Irrelevant, I know, but I had to throw it in there 
The last time I saw O.A.R. was at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, NYC – it was a private show benefiting the chain’s Imagine There’s No Hunger campaign (supporting the WHY organization). I was impressed by how involved O.A.R. is in different causes, and that good will makes my affinity for the group that much stronger. They performed War Song during that show, and it resonated more with me than ever before. Some moments I captured:
I am happy to support Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and figure you might appreciate knowing more about the good work they strive to accomplish.
“Today, veterans are facing new battles at home trying to navigate a complex VA health care system, access mental health care treatment for combat stress, or find a job to support their families in an uncertain economy. As Americans, we have an obligation to support these men and women and to ensure our nation’s newest generation of veterans receives access to top-notch health care, a chance to pursue a quality education on the new GI Bill, a fair chance at a good job.”
I recommend taking a few minutes to learn more about how you too can show your support for our troops and veterans, as well as remembering those we’ve lost. You can also watch the video for O.A.R.’s War Song. Thank you YOYO and Marilla, as always.
Marshall A. Westbrook, 43, Army National Guard Sergeant, Oct 01, 2005 Farmington, New Mexico
Timothy J. Roark, 29, Army Staff Sergeant, Oct 02, 2005 Houston, Texas
Roberto C. Baez, 19, Army Private 1st Class, Oct 03, 2005 Tampa, Florida
Bryan W. Large, 31, Army Sergeant, Oct 03, 2005 Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Jacob T. Vanderbosch, 21, Army Specialist, Oct 03, 2005 Vadnais Heights, Minnesota
Sean B. Berry, 26, Army National Guard Sergeant, Oct 03, 2005 Mansfield, Texas
Larry Wayne Pankey Jr., 34, Army Reserve Sergeant, Oct 03, 2005 Morrison, Colorado
John R. Stalvey, 22, Marine Corporal, Oct 03, 2005 Conroe, Texas
Andrew D. Bedard, 19, Marine Private 1st Class, Oct 04, 2005 Missoula, Montana
Brian K. Joplin, 32, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class, Oct 04, 2005 Hugo, Oklahoma
Jeremiah W. Robinson, 20, Army National Guard Corporal, Oct 06, 2005 Mesa, Arizona
Shayne M. Cabino, 19, Marine Lance Corporal, Oct 06, 2005 Franklin, Massachusetts
Nicholas O. Cherava, 21, Marine Corporal, Oct 06, 2005 Ontonagon, Michigan
Jason L. Frye, 19, Marine Private 1st Class, Oct 06, 2005 Landisburg, Pennsylvania
Patrick Brian Kenny, 20, Marine Lance Corporal, Oct 06, 2005 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Daniel M. McVicker, 20, Marine Lance Corporal, Oct 06, 2005 Alliance, Ohio
Carl L. Raines II, 20, Marine Lance Corporal, Oct 06, 2005 Coffee, Alabama
Eric A. Fifer, 22, Army Sergeant, Oct 07, 2005 Knoxville, Tennessee
Nicholas J. Greer, 21, Army Private 1st Class, Oct 07, 2005 Monroe, Michigan
Sergio H. Escobar, 18, Marine Lance Corporal, Oct 08, 2005 Pasadena, California
Gary R. Harper Jr., 29, Army Staff Sergeant, Oct 09, 2005 Virden, Illinois
Leon G. James II, 46, Army Lieutenant Colonel, Oct 10, 2005 Sackets Harbor, New York
Leon M. Johnson, 28, Army Sergeant, Oct 10, 2005 Jacksonville, Florida
Brandon K. Sneed, 33, Army Sergeant 1st Class, Oct 10, 2005 Norman, Oklahoma
Jerry L. Bonifacio Jr., 28, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant, Oct 10, 2005 Vacaville, California
Jeremy M. Hodge, 20, Army National Guard Sergeant, Oct 10, 2005 Ridgeway, Ohio
Matthew A. Kimmell, 30, Army Staff Sergeant, Oct 11, 2005 Paxton, Indiana
Donald D. Furman, 30, Army Sergeant, Oct 12, 2005 Burton, South Carolina
Lorenzo Ponce Ruiz, 26, Army Sergeant, Oct 12, 2005 El Paso, Texas
James T. Grijalva, 26, Army National Guard Specialist, Oct 12, 2005 Burbank, Illinois
Kenneth E. Hunt Jr., 40, Marine Master Sergeant, Oct 12, 2005 Tucson, Arizona
Robert W. Tucker, 20, Army National Guard Sergeant, Oct 13, 2005 Hilham, Tennessee
Howard E. Babcock IV, 33, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class, Oct 13, 2005 Houston, Texas
Samuel M. Boswell, 20, Army National Guard Corporal, Oct 14, 2005 Elkridge, Maryland
Bernard L. Ceo, 23, Army National Guard Corporal, Oct 14, 2005 Baltimore, Maryland
Brian R. Conner, 36, Army National Guard Sergeant, Oct 14, 2005 Baltimore, Maryland
Thomas H. Byrd, 21, Army Specialist, Oct 15, 2005 Cochise, Arizona
Jeffrey W. Corban, 30, Army Specialist, Oct 15, 2005 Elkhart, Indiana
Richard Allen Hardy, 24, Army Specialist, Oct 15, 2005 Bolivar/Newcomerstown, Ohio
Vincent E. Summers, 38, Army Staff Sergeant, Oct 15, 2005 South Haven, Michigan
Timothy D. Watkins, 24, Army Specialist, Oct 15, 2005 San Bernardino, California
Mark P. Adams, 24, Marine Reserve Sergeant, Oct 15, 2005 Morrisville, North Carolina
Paul J. Pillen, 28, Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer, Oct 17, 2005 Keystone, South Dakota
Daniel Scott R. Bubb, 19, Marine Lance Corporal, Oct 17, 2005 Grottoes, Virginia
Chad R. Hildebrandt, 22, Marine Lance Corporal, Oct 17, 2005 Springer, New Mexico
Christopher M. Poston, 20, Marine Lance Corporal, Oct 17, 2005 Glendale, Arizona
Lucas A. Frantz, 22, Army Corporal, Oct 18, 2005 Tonganoxie, Kansas
Daniel D. Bartels, 22, Army Specialist, Oct 19, 2005 Huron, South Dakota
Arthur A. Mora Jr., 23, Army Sergeant, Oct 19, 2005 Pico Rivera, California
Russell H. Nahvi, 24, Army Specialist, Oct 19, 2005 Arlington, Texas
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