Veterans for Common Sense
Encyclopedia
Veterans for Common Sense, founded in 2002, is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocacy
on behalf of United States
veteran
s who continue to serve their country by protecting the rights and interests of fellow citizens. Based on the pragmatic ideals of the American Patriot
Thomas Paine
, VCS was established "by war
veterans who believe we, the people, are most secure when our country is strong and responsibly engaged with the world."
In 2006, Veterans for Common Sense merged for period with Veterans for America
, an organization partnered with the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation
; however, the two organizations separated again in 2007. Veterans for America continued VCS's focus on national security issues, with the added element of active humanitarian relief, mine mapping and other programs that address the consequences of war.
The organization focuses on four primary program areas: national security, civil liberties, energy policy and veterans benefits. Activities have included large veterans' sign-on letters urging caution to the President before the 2003 invasion of Iraq
and a lawsuit against the government seeking documents related to torture
at the Abu Ghraib prison
and the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. In addition, VCS has given frequent testimony to Congressional committees about the need for mandatory full funding for Veterans Administration
(VA) healthcare, the VA's broken disability claims process, and the VA's need for increased capacity for dealing with brain injury
and mental health patients.
VCS's current (as of December 2008) Executive Director is Paul Sullivan, a former project manager at the Veterans Administration. He succeeded the previous Executive Director, Charles Sheehan-Miles
, in 2006.
Advocacy
Advocacy is a political process by an individual or a large group which normally aims to influence public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions; it may be motivated from moral, ethical or faith principles or simply to protect an...
on behalf of United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
veteran
Veteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
s who continue to serve their country by protecting the rights and interests of fellow citizens. Based on the pragmatic ideals of the American Patriot
Patriot (American Revolution)
Patriots is a name often used to describe the colonists of the British Thirteen United Colonies who rebelled against British control during the American Revolution. It was their leading figures who, in July 1776, declared the United States of America an independent nation...
Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine
Thomas "Tom" Paine was an English author, pamphleteer, radical, inventor, intellectual, revolutionary, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States...
, VCS was established "by war
War
War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political...
veterans who believe we, the people, are most secure when our country is strong and responsibly engaged with the world."
In 2006, Veterans for Common Sense merged for period with Veterans for America
Veterans For America
Veterans for America is an advocacy and humanitarian organization that works to ensure that America meets the needs of servicemembers and veterans who have served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom . VFA focuses specifically on the signature wounds these conflicts:...
, an organization partnered with the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation
Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation
The Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation , established in 1980, now the Veterans for America , is a Washington, D.C.-based international humanitarian organization that addresses the consequences of war and conflict. The founder of VVAF is Bobby Muller, a former U.S...
; however, the two organizations separated again in 2007. Veterans for America continued VCS's focus on national security issues, with the added element of active humanitarian relief, mine mapping and other programs that address the consequences of war.
The organization focuses on four primary program areas: national security, civil liberties, energy policy and veterans benefits. Activities have included large veterans' sign-on letters urging caution to the President before the 2003 invasion of Iraq
2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
and a lawsuit against the government seeking documents related to torture
Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse
Beginning in 2004, human rights violations in the form of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, including torture, rape, sodomy, and homicide of prisoners held in the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq came to public attention...
at the Abu Ghraib prison
Abu Ghraib prison
The Baghdad Central Prison, formerly known as Abu Ghraib prison is in Abu Ghraib, an Iraqi city 32 km west of Baghdad. It was built by British contractors in the 1950s....
and the Guantanamo Bay detention camp. In addition, VCS has given frequent testimony to Congressional committees about the need for mandatory full funding for Veterans Administration
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is a government-run military veteran benefit system with Cabinet-level status. It is the United States government’s second largest department, after the United States Department of Defense...
(VA) healthcare, the VA's broken disability claims process, and the VA's need for increased capacity for dealing with brain injury
Acquired brain injury
An acquired brain injury is brain damage caused by events after birth, rather than as part of a genetic or congenital disorder such as fetal alcohol syndrome, perinatal illness or perinatal hypoxia. ABI can result in cognitive, physical, emotional, or behavioural impairments that lead to permanent...
and mental health patients.
VCS's current (as of December 2008) Executive Director is Paul Sullivan, a former project manager at the Veterans Administration. He succeeded the previous Executive Director, Charles Sheehan-Miles
Charles Sheehan-Miles
Charles Sheehan-Miles is an American veterans advocate and writer.He grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and served in the U.S. Army in the 1991 Persian Gulf War...
, in 2006.
External links
- VeteransForCommonSense.org - Veterans for Common Sense homepage
- ACLU.org - 'Statement of Seth Pollack, Chairman, Veterans for Common Sense' (October 7, 2003)
- CommonDreams.org - 'In Letter to Bush, War Veterans "Strongly Question" Iraq Invasion, and Seek a Meeting', VCS garnered nearly 1,000 US veteran signatories: Vice Admiral Ralph Weymouth, USN, Retired Vice Admiral Jack Shanahan, USN, Retired Brigadier General Evelyn P. Foote, USA, Retired, et al. (March 11, 2003)
- Critical Concern.com - 'Links of Interest to Veterans For PeaceVeterans for PeaceVeterans For Peace is a United States organization founded in 1985. Made up of male and female US military veterans of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and other conflicts, as well as peacetime veterans, the group works to promote alternatives to war.-Foundation:The...
' - Meria.net - 'Meria with Charles Sheehan-Miles - Veterans for Common Sense & the News' (archived interview broadcast September 15, 2004)
- VeteransForAmerica.org - Veterans for AmericaVeterans For AmericaVeterans for America is an advocacy and humanitarian organization that works to ensure that America meets the needs of servicemembers and veterans who have served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom . VFA focuses specifically on the signature wounds these conflicts:...
- VeteranSpeakers.org - 'National Veterans Speakers Bureau: Honoring the sacrifice of American veterans' (VCS sponsored educational program)