In solidarity with the people of the and understanding that every bomb dropped in explodes over the U.S. Gulf Coast, Veterans For Peace and partner organizations will return to the area devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, to aid in reconstruction efforts.

The project will raise money and volunteers to aid in rebuilding homes for survivors of the hurricanes. In addition, we will raise awareness of the continued plight of the gulf coast survivors and the persistent commitment to an illegal, immoral war fought at staggering costs, both financially and in human casualties.

The first part of this action will consist of a caravan beginning March 19, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, (the location of one of several Iraq War Anniversary demonstrations), and ending in New Orleans, Louisiana.
On this leg of the trip, Veterans For Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, and many individual signers of the Appeal for Redress, will travel to six military towns in the southeastern US; in each town we will hold an event for active duty military personnel and their families, where we will energetically engage them in discussions regarding the absurdity of this war and encourage them to sign the Appeal For Redress.

The second part of this endeavor will consist of Veterans For Peace and our partners taking an active role in rebuilding the gulf coast. The project will raise money and volunteers to aid in rebuilding homes for survivors of the hurricanes, and additionally, will raise awareness of the continued injustices faced by the residents of the gulf coast. We plan to work for one week and in that time should be able to make a significant contribution in the local community, both in terms of construction and in connecting on a personal level with the people of the gulf coast.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHERE WE ARE VOLUNTEERING:
We are going to be working with Operation TLC, a non-profit resource center located in Pascagoula, Mississippi.  Operation TLC was launched in September of 2006 and serves the people of Jackson County, MS.  They are located in the Pascagoula Recretion Center, where they have cots for sleeping, men and women's showers, wireless internet, and nearby is a local church that cooks the meals. 

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed over 65,000 homes in Mississippi.  We are hoping you will join us in our efforts to rebuild part of the Gulf Coast.

Here are several ways you can be a part of this effort:

• JOIN us in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on March 17th for the demonstration commemorating the war’s anniversary and/or the caravan, which will depart Fayetteville and journey to the gulf, stopping in 5 –7 cities along the way for rallies and demonstrations (approximately March 19th through March 23rd)
• VOLUNTEER in the gulf. We need volunteers who will help physically in the construction effort and support thereof. We need people who will work on houses, people who will help feed the workers, medical personnel, and others. [Sign Up]
• SUPPORT the effort at home. Donate and raise money for this endeavor; tell your friends and families about the project and ask for their support. Contact your local press and government representatives to make them aware of who we are, what we are doing, and why it needs to be done. Download printable flyers LINK and distribute them in your community.
• CONTRIBUTE in another capacity. The suggestions just listed are only that. Your ideas are not only welcome, but we encourage you to be creative in coming up with other ways you can support this project.

Please join us. To learn more about the project you can call the Veterans For Peace National Office at 314-725-6005, or email Cherie at ceichholz@veteransforpeace.net.

DONATE to the project
SIGN UP to join us on the Gulf Coast and help rebuild
SIGN UP for our Rebuilding the Gulf Coast E-Bulletin