This article, by Amy Lavalley, was originally published in the Post-Tribune, February 16, 2008
VALPARAISO -- The newly formed Indiana Iraq Vets Against the War would like to introduce themselves.
Toward that end, they will participate in a rally in downtown Valparaiso today before holding a forum on their organization and its goals at Valparaiso University.
The chapter is one of 36 across the country and has 15 members from throughout the state so far, said chapter president Vincent Emanuele.
Emanuele, 23, of Burns Harbor, served in the Marine Corps in Iraq in the spring of 2003, and again in the fall and winter of 2004-2005.
Between his times in Iraq, he began reading up on opposition to the war.
"I started to wonder why this was becoming a national topic, being opposed to the war," the Chesterton High School graduate said.
He went back to Iraq and what he saw, including the poor condition of the military equipment used by American soldiers, reaffirmed his position.
"By the time I left, it was solidified in my mind that we needed to get out of there, and I was going to protest the war," he said.
After attending IVAW events in Chicago, he decided to start one in Indiana.
The program at VU will provide the history of IVAW, discuss why the U.S. should end its occupation of Iraq, give information on a March forum in Washington, sponsored by IVAW, and offer news of upcoming events in the region.
If you go
An assortment of peace organizations from the region will hold a rally from noon to 1 p.m. today on the courthouse square in Valparaiso. At 2:30 p.m., in room 140 of Mueller Hall on the Valparaiso University campus, members of the newly formed Indiana Iraq Vets Against the War will introduce themselves and their plans for the coming months. For more on IVAW, check out www.ivaw.org.
