2007.11.09: November 9, 2007: Headlines: Military: Iraq: Speaking Out: COS - Niger: Protest: Go Petition: Iraq War vet turned farmer and member of "Farm Not Arms" called back to Iraq from Peace Corps

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Peace Corps Library: Protest: 2007.11.09: November 9, 2007: Headlines: Military: Iraq: Speaking Out: COS - Niger: Protest: Go Petition: Iraq War vet turned farmer and member of "Farm Not Arms" called back to Iraq from Peace Corps

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-25-189.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.25.189) on Sunday, November 11, 2007 - 10:04 am: Edit Post

Iraq War vet turned farmer and member of "Farm Not Arms" called back to Iraq from Peace Corps

Iraq War vet turned farmer and member of Farm Not Arms called back to Iraq from Peace Corps

Niger RPCV Emily Dufton writes: "Matthew McCue has been serving his country as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Niger since January 2007. His efforts as an agriculture extension agent have focused on improving food security for his village of 6,000 people. An exemplary volunteer, Matt is also a distinguished veteran of the Iraq war. Peace Corps Volunteers serve in some of the poorest, least developed countries in the world, working in difficult conditions to help improve the lives of others. Individuals such as Matt offer valuable skills and leadership to communities around the world. Many work in Muslim societies and help to foster friendship between the United States and other countries. As a result of the length of the war and the strains on troop levels, discharged combat veterans are being reactivated by the Department of Defense to return to Iraq. Matt McCue, along with other Volunteers, must now discontinue their Peace Corps service and return to military service. Peace Corps Volunteers are already serving the United States in a meaningful way. Keep Volunteers in their countries and allow them to complete their service before being eligible to return to active duty."

Iraq War vet turned farmer and member of "Farm Not Arms" called back to Iraq from Peace Corps

Keep Reservist Peace Corps Volunteers out of the Military

1315 Signatures

Created by Emily Dufton on Oct 28, 2007

Category: Military

Region: GLOBAL

Target: Sen. Pete V. Domenici, President George W. Bush, Defense Secretary Robert Gates
Description/History:

Matthew McCue has been serving his country as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Niger since January 2007. His efforts as an agriculture extension agent have focused on improving food security for his village of 6,000 people. An exemplary volunteer, Matt is also a distinguished veteran of the Iraq war. (Find out more about Matt by reading his article on the Farms Not Arms website, located here: http://www.farmsnotarms.org/statements/one_soldier%60apos%60s_story.aspx )

Peace Corps Volunteers serve in some of the poorest, least developed countries in the world, working in difficult conditions to help improve the lives of others. Individuals such as Matt offer valuable skills and leadership to communities around the world. Many work in Muslim societies and help to foster friendship between the United States and other countries.

As a result of the length of the war and the strains on troop levels, discharged combat veterans are being reactivated by the Department of Defense to return to Iraq. Matt McCue, along with other Volunteers, must now discontinue their Peace Corps service and return to military service.

Peace Corps Volunteers are already serving the United States in a meaningful way. Keep Volunteers in their countries and allow them to complete their service before being eligible to return to active duty.
Petition:

We, the undersigned, call upon the Department of Defense to change its policy regarding current reserve-status Peace Corps Volunteers and bar them from being called up into active service.

The men and women of the Peace Corps are already serving their country and deserve to be able to complete this service.




Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: November, 2007; Military; Iraq; Speaking Out; Peace Corps Niger; Directory of Niger RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Niger RPCVs; Protest





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Story Source: Go Petition

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Military; Iraq; Speaking Out; COS - Niger; Protest

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By Joanne Marie Roll (joey) (acbe2412.ipt.aol.com - 172.190.36.18) on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 10:55 pm: Edit Post

Please give instructions on how one can find and sign the petition. Thank you


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