*** Scroll down for earlier MilVets News ***
(Go
here for MilVets News: Fall 2005.)
MilVets News: 07MAY06.
The weekly Spring 2006 MilVets News is archived at
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/milvets-news-spring-2006.html.
* This is the final MilVets News of the 2005-06 academic year. Attached below are two Memorial Day edition veterans-related newsletters and information for a veterans job fair. Dense, but much good information.
CONTENTS:
1. MilVets News editor hail and farewell.
2. Invitation to ROTC commissioning in Low Library on May 19.
3. Open letter from Shane Hachey to the Columbia University Senate.
4. Columbia military in the news, featuring Sean Wilkes, CC '06.
5. Final verdict on Operation Iraqi Children at Columbia University.
6. Current requests and upcoming events.
_________________________________________________
1. MilVets News editor hail and farewell.
This is it: the final MilVets newsletter of the 2005-06 academic year, and likely my final action as the MilVets Vice President. According to the Constitution, change of command to the next MilVets E-Board takes place by the end of the Spring semester, which I translate as Thursday May 11. Peter Kim (pk2197@columbia.edu; GS, USMC) will take over for me as 2006-07 Vice President. Luke Stalcup (ls2367@columbia.edu; GS, Army) will take over for Oscar as 2006-07 President. As of now, both plan to stay in the city over the summer to prepare and plan for the upcoming MilVets year. Feel free to contact them about taking part in the summer prep.
MilVets is about us, by us, for us. In the larger picture, we represent one of the few living bridges to span the academic-military gap in a historical time when that gap is a national vulnerability. MilVets is for our here and now at Columbia, and it is for the future. Use this organization, take care of it, and pass it on better than you found it.
My 2nd term as MilVets VP has been eventful (thanks, Matt!) and very fulfilling . . . and I'm relieved to hand off the mantle to Peter. It's not an easy job when you understand what MilVets can be and what it will take for us to get there.
Eric Chen
(Soon to be Emeritus) Vice President
U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University
_________________________________________________
2. Invitation to ROTC commissioning in Low Library on May 19.
From Bob Wray, CC '06, who is commissioning as an Air Force
Lieutenant at this ceremony:
The commissioning ceremony will take place at 5 pm on Friday May 19
2006 at Low Library. Reception to follow. We want to thank Capt
Graske, USN (ret), CC '59 and the Alumni Association for their
support.
UOD:
Business Attire
--or--
Army/Air Force: Class As
Marines: Dress Blues
Navy: Dress Whites
Guest Speaker: Lt Gen Litche, Vice Chief of Staff, USAF
Provost Brinkley and many Columbia deans will be there. We're
looking for a strong Columbia - and Columbia military community -
showing, even for just a little bit.
All members of MilVets are invited.
Point of contact is Bob Wray (row2004@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
3. Open letter from milvet Shane Hachey to the Columbia University Senate.
Milvet Shane Hachey, GS '04, is a founding member of MilVets and now a '2-L' at Harvard Law School. He recently sent this open letter to the Columbia University Senate.
http://learning-curve.blogspot.com/2006/05/shane-hachey-gs-04-letter-to-columbia.html
EXCERPT: "It is difficult for me to say in a restrained manner the way such a vote affects the way I as a veteran and son of a veteran feel about
Columbia University. Despite my great educational experience at
Columbia, this vote and the way it took place cast an official stamp on
the sort of anti-military and anti-American sentiment common among the
most radical of Columbia students."
Point of contact is Shane Hachey (shachey@law.harvard.edu).
_________________________________________________
4. Columbia military in the news, featuring Sean Wilkes, CC '06.
On-line video of WNET's NY Voices feature with Columbia students discussing military issues on campus, including Army ROTC cadet (and soon-to-be butterbar) Sean Wilkes, CC '06. Sean is also the Chairman of Advocates for Columbia ROTC. http://www.thirteen.org/nyvoices/realpop/realpop_hi.php?name=campuspolitics
Caption: "Campus Politics: The Supreme Court ruled recently that universities that receive federal money must allow ROTC recruiters on campus. But the issue continues to be debated by pro and anti-war students at universities in the area, including Rutgers and Columbia."
* In that theme, NY Voices at http://www.thirteen.org/nyvoices/ also has a number of other features with NYC-based military stories.
Point of contact is Sean Wilkes (slw2014@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
5. Final verdict on Operation Iraqi Children at Columbia University.
My gratitude to Hamilton Society, Students United for America, the College Democrats, the College Republicans, FDD at Columbia, Winston our advisor, Jose of Columbia Housing and Leora at the Kraft Center for helping MilVets make the project a success. We set modest goals and we far exceeded those goals. Members of the General Studies community were especially generous in donating these important items for the Iraqi children whom *our* people are working so hard to help.
If you would like to send a letter of support to our troops in Iraq who are participating in the OIC program or to the Iraqi children who are receiving these school supplies from them, just e-mail it to me and I'll include it in the package.
Point of contact is Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
6. Current requests and upcoming events.
a. Week of 5/7: Good luck, then relax and have some fun.
* Spring 2006 schedule of events:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/spring-2006-schedule-of-events.html
b. Interested in joining pol-milvets, the network of milvets within
MilVets who are eyeing a career in government, public service,
public policy and/or politics? Contact Eric Chen
(elc2003@columbia.edu).
c. From GS Dean Mary McGee (mm383@columbia.edu): In its many efforts
to be aware of, understand, and interact with students and alumni
from all different kinds of backgrounds, the university would like
to identify Columbia students and alumni who have been or are
affiliated with the U.S. military. Please respond to this email if
you are willing to identify yourself and your military affiliation.
This information will be shared with the various administrative
offices on campus. Respond to this email and include your name,
Columbia email address, the branch of the military you are
affiliated with and your current status (e.g., ROTC, active,
reserve, veteran, etc.). If there is other relevant information
that you think would be helpful to share with us, you are welcome
to send that along as well. Thank you.
* According to Dean McGee (mm383@columbia.edu), this request comes
from the university level administration and is meant for all
Columbia, not just GS. Its intent is to develop a Columbia-based
veterans and military-affiliated network. The source is Jose
Gonzalez (jg2181@columbia.edu), Director of the Office of the VP
for University Development and Alumni Relations.
d. MilVets wants portraits and bios, and your military service
photos for the website. E-mail your pictures to Zhuo and Oscar.
E-mail your bio statement to Oscar.
* Webmaster Zhuo Zheng's image posting instructions:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2005/09/instructions-for-posting-images-in.html
e. Job offer: Law firm seeking military veteran. Do you have an interest in the law profession? Are you seeking a job in the legal field? If so, there is a job opportunity to work for a small law firm located on Park Ave here in Manhattan specializing in corporate law, commercial litigation, real estate and art law. This firm is specifically seeking a former military member to take the place of an outgoing employee who is a Marine. This is a great opportunity to learn what law has to offer.
* For more information, please contact Peter S. Kim at pk2197@columbia.edu.
f. Want law school application advice? Ask MilVets Secretary Julian
Petrin (jmp2154@columbia.edu).
g. Columbia MCMAP club. MCMAP = Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
Point of contact is Tyler Harris (th2149@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, comments or
concerns, please feel free to e-mail us at exec_vets@columbia.edu.
Eric Chen
Vice President
U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University
ATTACHED CONTENTS: 1. Memorial Day newsletter from MOVA; 2. Salute Our Heroes Job Fair and Career Expo; 3. Memorial Day newsletter from a local private vets org, New York Metro Vets:
MilVets News: 30APR06.
The weekly Spring 2006 MilVets News is archived at
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/milvets-news-spring-2006.html.
* Next week's will be the final MilVets News of the semester.
CONTENTS:
1. Invitation to ROTC commissioning in Low Library on May 19.
2. Job offer: Law firm seeking military veteran.
3. Countdown to end of Operation Iraqi Children at Columbia.
4. ABC President Keith Hernandez: "Military, War and ROTC".
5. Milvets on display at University Chaplain's office.
6. Movie recommendation: "The War Tapes".
7. Current requests and upcoming events.
_________________________________________________
1. Invitation to ROTC commissioning in Low Library on May 19.
From Bob Wray, CC '06, who is commissioning as an Air Force
Lieutenant at this ceremony:
The commissioning ceremony will take place at 5 pm on Friday May 19
2006 at Low Library. Reception to follow. We want to thank Capt
Graske, USN (ret), CC '59 and the Alumni Association for their
support.
UOD:
Business Attire
--or--
Army/Air Force: Class As
Marines: Dress Blues
Navy: Dress Whites
Guest Speaker: Lt Gen Litche, Vice Chief of Staff, USAF
Provost Brinkley and many Columbia deans will be there. We're
looking for a strong Columbia - and Columbia military community -
showing, even for just a little bit.
All members of MilVets are invited.
Point of contact is Bob Wray (row2004@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
2. Job offer: Law firm seeking military veteran.
Do you have an interest in the law profession? Are you seeking a
job in the legal field? If so, there is a job opportunity to work
for a small law firm located on Park Ave here in Manhattan
specializing in corporate law, commercial litigation, real estate
and art law. This firm is specifically seeking a former military
member to take the place of an outgoing employee who is a Marine.
This is a great opportunity to learn what law has to offer.
For more information, please contact Peter S. Kim at
pk2197@columbia.edu.
* Peter is the incoming MilVets Vice President.
_________________________________________________
3. Countdown to end of Operation Iraqi Children at Columbia.
Last chance to donate to OIC at CU. Officially, the OIC at CU
project ends on Monday. Unofficially, we likely will sort, package
and ship the donations to OIC in Kansas City, MO after Finals.
A special thanks to project co-sponsors Hamilton Society and
Students United for America for opening their group funds to the
project.
OIC at CU flyers: http://www.columbia.edu/~elc2003/index.html/
Operation Iraqi Children main website:
http://operationiraqichildren.org
Point of contact is Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
4. ABC President Keith Hernandez: "Military, War and ROTC".
"Military, War and ROTC" by Keith Hernandez:
http://columbiacritic.blogspot.com/2006/04/military-war-and-rotc.html
EXCERPT: "Whatever attraction I have toward the military, it sings
to the darkest edge of my nature. I like most people have the
ability to shut away compassion, to mechanize my soul and to
perform acts of rage, "defense" and violence. When I think of the
military, I think of violence. And yes, if I were part of it I
think I could do well for my part. Integral to any military
institution in this day and age is the use of force - even if such
force leads to death. Which means military prowess is a tacit
approval of murder (even if you wish to call it "justifiable
murder")."
* Keith Hernandez (keh2101@columbia.edu) is the incoming Activities
Board of Columbia (ABC) President; MilVets is under ABC's authority
as a student group.
_________________________________________________
5. Milvets on display outside of University Chaplain's office.
Message from Tahana Franklin, University Chaplain's Assistant:
Hello All:
We have some beautiful pictures of the flag folding ceremony hanging
up on the walls of the hallway leading to the Office of the
University Chaplain located in Lerner Hall on the 7th Floor.
If you have an opportunity please stop by and have a look!
Kind Regards,
Tahana
Tahana Franklin
Executive Assistant
Office of the University Chaplain
Columbia University
Tel: 212.854.1474
tf2178@columbia.edu
_________________________________________________
6. Movie recommendation: "The War Tapes".
From milvet Chris Danbeck:
Something to pass out to the group...one of two movies about the
military in the Tribeca Film Festival. The other is "Coming Home".
This one, "The War Tapes", is about video shot by three guardsmen
from New Hampshire.
http://www.thewartapes.com/the_film/screenings.shtml
Point of contact is Chris Danbeck (crd2113@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
7. Current requests and upcoming events.
a. Week of 5/1: Study!
* Spring 2006 schedule of events:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/spring-2006-schedule-of-events.html
b. Interested in joining pol-milvets, the network of milvets within
MilVets who are eyeing a career in government, public service,
public policy and/or politics? Contact Eric Chen
(elc2003@columbia.edu).
c. Help GSer Bridget Potter (bp264@columbia.edu) with her
Anthropology project research on soldierization and the
post-military transition to civilian life.
d. From GS Dean Mary McGee (mm383@columbia.edu): In its many efforts
to be aware of, understand, and interact with students and alumni
from all different kinds of backgrounds, the university would like
to identify Columbia students and alumni who have been or are
affiliated with the U.S. military. Please respond to this email if
you are willing to identify yourself and your military affiliation.
This information will be shared with the various administrative
offices on campus. Respond to this email and include your name,
Columbia email address, the branch of the military you are
affiliated with and your current status (e.g., ROTC, active,
reserve, veteran, etc.). If there is other relevant information
that you think would be helpful to share with us, you are welcome
to send that along as well. Thank you.
* According to Dean McGee (mm383@columbia.edu), this request comes
from the university level administration and is meant for all
Columbia, not just GS. Its intent is to develop a Columbia-based
veterans and military-affiliated network. The source is Jose
Gonzalez (jg2181@columbia.edu), Director of the Office of the VP
for University Development and Alumni Relations.
e. MilVets wants portraits and bios, and your military service
photos for the website. E-mail your pictures to Zhuo and Oscar.
E-mail your bio statement to Oscar. * Webmaster Zhuo Zheng's image
posting instructions:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2005/09/instructions-for-posting-images-in.html
f. Volunteer to host social gatherings. All it takes is giving us a
location, day, time, and short description. We can blast it out on
the MilVets mailing list.
g. Want law school application advice? Ask MilVets Secretary Julian
Petrin (jmp2154@columbia.edu).
h. Columbia MCMAP club. MCMAP = Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
Point of contact is Tyler Harris (th2149@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, comments or
concerns, please feel free to e-mail us at exec_vets@columbia.edu.
Eric Chen
Vice President
U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University
--
"Let me give you a word of the philosophy of reform. The whole
history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions
yet made to her august claims, have been born of earnest struggle.
The conflict has been exciting, agitating, all-absorbing, and for
the time being, putting all other tumults to silence. It must do
this or it does nothing. If there is no struggle there is no
progress."
- Frederick Douglass
MilVets News: 23APR06.
The weekly Spring 2006 MilVets News is archived at
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/milvets-news-spring-2006.html.
CONTENTS:
1. Invitation to Ray's Boom Boom Room on Thursday April 27.
2. Help flyer for Operation Iraqi Children - FINAL WEEK.
3. Milvets in the news: MilVets/Hamilton flag folding ceremony in
the Columbia University Record.
4. Current requests and upcoming events.
_________________________________________________
1. Invitation to Ray's Boom Boom Room on Thursday April 27.
Milvet Ray Carl (rlc2120@columbia.edu) invites all milvets,
Hamiltonians, and friends there-of, to take a break from the grind
and celebrate the end of the 2005-2006 school year at O’Connell’s
Pub.
Place: O’Connell’s Pub on the corner of 107th and Broadway (5 minute
walk from Columbia)
Date: Thursday April 27th, 2006.
Time: 8-ish (Earlier, and you might catch happy hour).
* Yes, "Life" is one of my favorite movies. Rayford Gibson (Eddie
Murphy): "The Cotton Club's alright. But it ain't got nothin' on
The Boom Boom Room. If any of you ever get to New York, go to Ray's
Boom Boom Room, the most happening spot in all of Manhattan."
Point of contact is Ray Carl (rlc2120@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
2. Help flyer for Operation Iraqi Children - FINAL WEEK.
Please help flyer on campus for the final week of Operation Iraqi
Children at Columbia University. You can download the 2 flyers, in
ppt format, from http://www.columbia.edu/~elc2003/index.html/.
Notes: The 2 flyers (ACCEPTED ITEMS and PETER KIM) begin with
"18APR06 OIC at CU fl..>"; the other 3 ppt files are instructions
for the collection boxes. Color copies recommended. Black and white
copies acceptable. If you choose to use only one flyer, use the
PETER KIM flyer - it works much better in color.
Photos of the OIC at CU collection box on College Walk and in the
Lewisohn Lounge can be found in the MilVets Gallery:
http://community.webshots.com/album/501671921skjwJE
Contact Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu) if you wish to donate money
directly to Operation Iraqi Children, send letters of support to the
troops or Iraqi children, or if you have any other questions or
comments.
Accepted Donation Items:
One pair of blunt-end scissors
One 12-inch ruler with metric markings
12 new pencils with erasers
One small pencil sharpener
One large eraser
One box of colored pencils (Crayons melt in the Iraqi summer heat!)
One package of notebook paper
One composition book
Three folders with inside pockets
One zippered pencil bag
Operation Iraqi Children main website:
http://operationiraqichildren.org
Point of contact is Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
3. Milvets in the news: MilVets/Hamilton flag folding ceremony in
the Columbia University Record.
Link - Columbia University Record, March 20 2006, Volume 31, Issue
11; Page 11 with picture and caption of flag folding ceremony at St
Paul's Chapel on March 9 2006 - scroll to bottom:
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/record/archives/vol31/vol31_iss11/page11.pdf
Text of MilVets and Hamilton Society speeches (Julia Oh, Mark Xue
and Oscar Escano) at the service:
http://milvetslibrary.blogspot.com/2006/03/student-speeches-from-columbia.html
Feel free to disseminate. The MilVets/Hamilton ceremony and the
Chaplain's service for the troops were good things.
* Not pictured in the CU Record is Councilmember Mike Nicholas
(mdn2106@columbia.edu), who was exceptional as the milvet in charge
of the flag folding detail.
_________________________________________________
4. Current requests and upcoming events.
a. Week of 4/24: Thurs 4/27 - Ray's Boom Boom Room.
* Spring 2006 schedule of events:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/spring-2006-schedule-of-events.html
b. Interested in joining pol-milvets, the network of milvets within
MilVets who are eyeing a career in government, public service,
public policy and/or politics? Contact Eric Chen
(elc2003@columbia.edu).
c. Help GSer Bridget Potter (bp264@columbia.edu) with her
Anthropology project research on soldierization and the
post-military transition to civilian life.
d. From GS Dean Mary McGee (mm383@columbia.edu): In its many efforts
to be aware of, understand, and interact with students and alumni
from all different kinds of backgrounds, the university would like
to identify Columbia students and alumni who have been or are
affiliated with the U.S. military. Please respond to this email if
you are willing to identify yourself and your military affiliation.
This information will be shared with the various administrative
offices on campus. Respond to this email and include your name,
Columbia email address, the branch of the military you are
affiliated with and your current status (e.g., ROTC, active,
reserve, veteran, etc.). If there is other relevant information
that you think would be helpful to share with us, you are welcome
to send that along as well. Thank you.
* According to Dean McGee (mm383@columbia.edu), this request comes
from the university level administration and is meant for all
Columbia, not just GS. Its intent is to develop a Columbia-based
veterans and military-affiliated network. The source is Jose
Gonzalez (jg2181@columbia.edu), Director of the Office of the VP
for University Development and Alumni Relations.
e. MilVets wants portraits and bios, and your military service
photos for the website. E-mail your pictures to Zhuo and Oscar.
E-mail your bio statement to Oscar. * Webmaster Zhuo Zheng's image
posting instructions:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2005/09/instructions-for-posting-images-in.html
f. Volunteer to host social gatherings. All it takes is giving us a
location, day, time, and short description. We can blast it out on
the MilVets mailing list.
g. Want law school application advice? Ask MilVets Secretary Julian
Petrin (jmp2154@columbia.edu).
h. Columbia MCMAP club. MCMAP = Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
Point of contact is Tyler Harris (th2149@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, comments or
concerns, please feel free to e-mail us at exec_vets@columbia.edu.
Eric Chen
Vice President
U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University
--
"Let me give you a word of the philosophy of reform. The whole
history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions
yet made to her august claims, have been born of earnest struggle.
The conflict has been exciting, agitating, all-absorbing, and for
the time being, putting all other tumults to silence. It must do
this or it does nothing. If there is no struggle there is no
progress."
- Frederick Douglass
MilVets News: 16APR06.
The weekly Spring 2006 MilVets News is archived at
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/milvets-news-spring-2006.html.
CONTENTS:
1. MilVets event: Michael Gordon, author of Cobra II, on Monday.
2. Operation Iraqi Children (School Supply Kit program) continues.
3. Matt Sanchez's Marine of the Week: Josh Gracin.
4. News tip: Boot Camp Lite.
5. Current requests and upcoming events.
_________________________________________________
1. MilVets event: Michael Gordon, author of Cobra II, on Monday.
Cobra II: The Inside Story of the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq
Monday, April 17th, 6:10 - 8:00 p.m.
Columbia University International Affairs Building
Room 417, Altschul Auditorium
An evening with Columbia University alumnus and New York Times Chief
Military Correspondent Michael Gordon. Mr. Gordon will be speaking
on the planning, buildup, and initial execution of Operation Iraqi
Freedom. His new book, written with retired Marine Lt General
Bernard Trainor, is well on its way to becoming the authoritative
history of the lead up to U.S. operations in Iraq.
Who were the players and what were their views and decisions? How
did plans translate into actions in the Area of Operations and what
were the results on the ground?
Please join us for a very well informed analysis.
This event will be moderated by Robert George, Associate Editorial
Page Editor at the New York Post and blogger
(www.raggedthots.blogspot.com).
"Cobra II" will be available for purchase and Mr. Gordon will sign
copies of his book.
This event is sponsored by Columbia University's Middle East
Institute, the School of International and Public Affairs'
International Security Policy Concentration, and the student
organizations "Media and Communications in War and Peace" and "U.S.
Military Veterans of Columbia University."
Point of contact is Dan McSweeney (djm2121@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
2. Operation Iraqi Children (School Supply Kit program) continues.
Updates: Campus co-sponsors include Hamilton Society, Students
United for America, College Republicans and College Democrats.
Collection boxes are located in Lewisohn Lounge, Lerner W510, Upper
Level McIntosh (Barnard) and OIC at CU tables on College Walk.
Contact Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu) if you wish to donate money
directly to Operation Iraqi Children, send letters or photos to the
troops and Iraqi children, or if you have any other questions or
comments.
Accepted Donation Items:
One pair of blunt-end scissors
One 12-inch ruler with metric markings
12 new pencils with erasers
One small pencil sharpener
One large eraser
One box of colored pencils (Crayons melt in the Iraqi summer heat!)
One package of notebook paper
One composition book
Three folders with inside pockets
One zippered pencil bag
Operation Iraqi Children information links:
OIC main website - http://operationiraqichildren.org
OIC donation page (School Supply Kit) -
http://operationiraqichildren.org/donation.asp
OIC co-founder (actor) Gary Sinise’s radio spot -
http://operationiraqichildren.org/Movies/oicversionGARY.mp3
Point of contact is Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
3. Matt Sanchez's Marine of the Week: Josh Gracin.
Josh Gracin picture:
http://img.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/imgs/060412/145043__josh_l.jpg
By Michael Endelman:
He may not get the media attention of a Clay or a Kelly, but
[American Idol] season 2's Josh Gracin has carved out a solid
career as a twangy country heartthrob. His eponymous 2004 debut
sold an admirable 655,000 copies and spawned a No. 1 country single
(''Nothin' to Lose''). And while Idol may have opened up the door
for him, Gracin, 25, credits his four-year Marines stint with
getting him ready for life on the road: ''The Marines taught me
discipline, patience, responsibility, drive, and how to set a
goal.'' He's going to be calling on those traits in the next six
months as he begins a tour to promote his second album, All About
Y'all, due this summer. Now, about that title: Could it be a sly
dedication to Randy, Paula, and Simon? Not quite. ''It's all about
how the world revolves around women,'' says Gracin, who's been
married for five years to wife Ann Marie. ''It's their world. We're
just living in it.''
Point of contact is Matt Sanchez (mas2178@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
4. News tip: Boot Camp Lite.
Video link to a Foxnews story about Army Basic Training gone soft.
Tip from former Marine Ray Carl (rlc2120@columbia.edu).
Click on the URL below to watch the video:
http://www.foxnews.com/video2/launchPage.html?040506/040506_brown_bootcamp&Boot%20Camp%20Lite%3F&FNL&Kinder%20and%20gentler%20boot%20camp%20for%20military%20recruits&Only%20on%20FOX&-1&Boot%20Camp%20Lite%3F&Video%20Launch%20Page
_________________________________________________
5. Current requests and upcoming events.
a. Week of 4/17: Mon 4/17 - Michael Gordon event.
* Spring 2006 schedule of events:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/spring-2006-schedule-of-events.html
b. Interested in joining pol-milvets, the network of milvets within
MilVets who are eyeing a career in government, public service,
public policy and/or politics? Contact Eric Chen
(elc2003@columbia.edu).
c. Help GSer Bridget Potter (bp264@columbia.edu) with her
Anthropology project research on soldierization and the
post-military transition to civilian life.
d. From GS Dean Mary McGee (mm383@columbia.edu): In its many efforts
to be aware of, understand, and interact with students and alumni
from all different kinds of backgrounds, the university would like
to identify Columbia students and alumni who have been or are
affiliated with the U.S. military. Please respond to this email if
you are willing to identify yourself and your military affiliation.
This information will be shared with the various administrative
offices on campus. Respond to this email and include your name,
Columbia email address, the branch of the military you are
affiliated with and your current status (e.g., ROTC, active,
reserve, veteran, etc.). If there is other relevant information
that you think would be helpful to share with us, you are welcome
to send that along as well. Thank you.
* According to Dean McGee (mm383@columbia.edu), this request comes
from the university level administration and is meant for all
Columbia, not just GS. Its intent is to develop a Columbia-based
veterans and military-affiliated network. The source is Jose
Gonzalez (jg2181@columbia.edu), Director of the Office of the VP
for University Development and Alumni Relations.
e. MilVets wants portraits and bios, and your military service
photos for the website. E-mail your pictures to Zhuo and Oscar.
E-mail your bio statement to Oscar. * Webmaster Zhuo Zheng's image
posting instructions:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2005/09/instructions-for-posting-images-in.html
f. Volunteer to host social gatherings. All it takes is giving us a
location, day, time, and short description. We can blast it out on
the MilVets mailing list.
g. Want law school application advice? Ask MilVets Secretary Julian
Petrin (jmp2154@columbia.edu).
h. Columbia MCMAP club. MCMAP = Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
Point of contact is Tyler Harris (th2149@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, comments or
concerns, please feel free to e-mail us at exec_vets@columbia.edu.
Eric Chen
Vice President
U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University
--
"Let me give you a word of the philosophy of reform. The whole
history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions
yet made to her august claims, have been born of earnest struggle.
The conflict has been exciting, agitating, all-absorbing, and for
the time being, putting all other tumults to silence. It must do
this or it does nothing. If there is no struggle there is no
progress."
- Frederick Douglass
MilVets News: 09APR06.
The weekly Spring 2006 MilVets News is archived at
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/milvets-news-spring-2006.html.
CONTENTS:
1. Elected for 2006-07: Luke Stalcup and Peter Kim.
2. MilVets Constitution amended.
3. Update on Operation Iraqi Children at Columbia University.
4. Milvets in the news: Jason Dempsey in the New Yorker; Garth
Stewart, Peter Kim, Luke Stalcup in the Columbia Current.
5. MilVets co-sponsoring Michael Gordon, NY Times Senior Defense
Correspondent and author of "Cobra II" on April 17.
6. Lee Covino invitation to Memorial Day parade on May 29.
7. Matt Sanchez's Marine of the Week: Ira Hayes.
8. Update on Vice Chair of JCS Admiral Giambastiani.
9. Current requests and upcoming events.
_________________________________________________
1. Elected for 2006-07: Luke Stalcup and Peter Kim.
MilVets held its annual E-Board election on Friday April 7. The
Presidential election, decided by one vote, was one of the closest
in MilVets history. * In the event of a tie, the MilVets President
casts the deciding vote.
Congratulation to Luke Stalcup (ls2367@columbia.edu; GS, Army). Luke
will succeed Oscar Escano as the MilVets President at the end of the
Spring 2006 semester. MilVets Presidents' photo by Council member
Mike Nicholas:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/501671921/2825445330078472999AYEXtW
Congratulations to Peter Kim (pk2197@columbia.edu; GS, USMC). Peter
will succeed Eric Chen as the MilVets Vice President at the end of
the Spring 2006 semester. MilVets Vice Presidents' photo by
Council member Mike Nicholas:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/501671921/2248244790078472999JRwYCp
Read Luke and Peter's election platform statements:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/04/spring-2006-milvets-and-gssc-election.html.
If you are interested in joining the 2006-07 MilVets E-Board,
contact Luke or Peter.
Points of contact are Luke Stalcup (ls2367@columbia.edu) and Peter
Kim (pk2197@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
2. MilVets Constitution amended.
Read the revised MilVets Constitution:
http://milvetslibrary.blogspot.com/2006/04/milvets-constitution-last-amended.html.
Point of contact is Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
3. Update on Operation Iraqi Children at Columbia University.
Updates: An OIC at CU collection box is next to the owl in the GS
Lounge in Lewisohn Hall. There will be an OIC at CU table on
College Walk, every Tuesday from 1-3 pm, for the rest of April.
Contact Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu) if you wish to donate money
directly to Operation Iraqi Children, send letters or photos to the
troops and Iraqi children, or if you have any other questions or
comments.
Accepted Donation Items:
One pair of blunt-end scissors
One 12-inch ruler with metric markings
12 new pencils with erasers
One small pencil sharpener
One large eraser
One box of colored pencils (Crayons melt in the Iraqi summer heat!)
One package of notebook paper
One composition book
Three folders with inside pockets
One zippered pencil bag
Operation Iraqi Children information links:
OIC main website - http://operationiraqichildren.org
OIC donation page (School Supply Kit) -
http://operationiraqichildren.org/donation.asp
OIC co-founder (actor) Gary Sinise’s radio spot -
http://operationiraqichildren.org/Movies/oicversionGARY.mp3
Point of contact is Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
4. Milvets in the news: Jason Dempsey in The New Yorker; Garth
Stewart, Peter Kim, Luke Stalcup in the Columbia Current.
a. Tip from MilVets alumnus Jason Dempsey (jason.dempsey@usma.edu),
currently teaching at USMA: "Life in Uniform Dept: Movie Date" by
Ben McGrath, The New Yorker, March 27 2006:
http://www.newyorker.com/talk/content/articles/060327ta_talk_mcgrath
* Message from Jason: "For those milvets who might not have seen
this in the New Yorker . . . Sounds like things are going great
with the club. Keep up the good work. Jason"
b. Tip from milvet Matt Sanchez: "From The Euphrates to the Hudson:
Iraq War Veterans at Columbia" by David Plotz(dsp2006@columbia.edu),
the Columbia Current, Spring 2006 edition.
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/current/articles/spring2006/plotz.html
* Plotz's piece is one of the better written articles about us.
_________________________________________________
5. MilVets co-sponsoring Michael Gordon, NY Times Senior Defense
Correspondent and author of "Cobra II", on April 17.
MilVets liaison is Council member Luke Stalcup
(ls2367@columbia.edu). Description from event organizer, SIPA
milvet Dan McSweeney (djm2121@columbia.edu):
Hello, all.
I wanted to let you know that I've organized a visit to SIPA by
Michael Gordon, NY Times Senior Defense Correspondent. He recently
co-wrote "Cobra II" with LtGen Bernard Trainor, USMC (Ret). You may
recall that these two gentlemen co-wrote "The Generals War," which
is considered by many to be the authoritative history of the Gulf
War.
"Cobra II" has received very good reviews and has garnered a lot of
press thus far (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11711506/). My sense
is that there will be a lot of interest at SIPA and within the
larger Columbia community in Mr. Gordon's remarks.
. . . I've already booked Altschul Auditorium for Monday, April
17th, 6 - 8 p.m. Mr. Gordon has confirmed and, as a Columbia alum,
he's enthusiastic about this "homecoming."
Best wishes,
Dan McSweeney
MIA 2007
Point of contact is Dan McSweeney (djm2121@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
6. Lee Covino invitation to Memorial Day parade on May 29.
Lee Covino (LCovino@statenislandusa.com), Veterans Affairs advisor
for the Staten Island Borough President and MilVets supporter,
invites us to join a Memorial Day parade:
Hello all—
The BP is doing a float for Memorial Day (29 May), depicting Freedom
Circle. All gulf War Era veterans (2 August 1990 through present)
and active duty personnel, regardless of duty station are welcomed
to march with the float. The parade forms up at Forest Avenue and
Hart Boulevard, and steps off at 1130hrs. The float will be parked
on Forest Avenue, near Randall Avenue (1 block above Hart). Those
marching with us may wear any (including OD’s) or no uniform. Feel
free to pass this along and call me if any questions. Thanks.
--Lee Covino, Vets Afrs Advisor
718-816-2034
Point of contact is Lee Covino (LCovino@statenislandusa.com).
_________________________________________________
7. Matt Sanchez's Marine of the Week: Ira Hayes.
Ira Hayes is a Native American and survivor of World War II's Battle
of Iwo Jima. He was one of six Marines in the iconic photograph of
the flag raising on Iwo Jima. Read about US Marine Ira Hayes at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ira_Hayes.
Point of contact is Matt Sanchez (mas2178@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
8. Update on Vice Chair of JCS Admiral Giambastiani.
Vice-Chair of Joint Chiefs of Staff ADM Edmund Giambastiani, whom we
originally invited to speak at Columbia on Wednesday April 19, has
been forced to re-schedule his visit. Date is TBD.
Point of contact is Garth Stewart (gs2245@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
9. Current requests and upcoming events.
a. Week of 4/10: Mon 4/10 - Operation Iraqi Children at Columbia
University continues.
* Spring 2006 schedule of events:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/spring-2006-schedule-of-events.html
b. Interested in joining pol-milvets, the network of milvets within
MilVets who are eyeing a career in government, public service,
public policy and/or politics? Contact Eric Chen
(elc2003@columbia.edu).
c. Help GSer Bridget Potter (bp264@columbia.edu) with her
Anthropology project research on soldierization and the
post-military transition to civilian life.
d. From GS Dean Mary McGee (mm383@columbia.edu): In its many efforts
to be aware of, understand, and interact with students and alumni
from all different kinds of backgrounds, the university would like
to identify Columbia students and alumni who have been or are
affiliated with the U.S. military. Please respond to this email if
you are willing to identify yourself and your military affiliation.
This information will be shared with the various administrative
offices on campus. Respond to this email and include your name,
Columbia email address, the branch of the military you are
affiliated with and your current status (e.g., ROTC, active,
reserve, veteran, etc.). If there is other relevant information
that you think would be helpful to share with us, you are welcome
to send that along as well. Thank you.
* According to Dean McGee (mm383@columbia.edu), this request comes
from the university level administration and is meant for all
Columbia, not just GS. Its intent is to develop a Columbia-based
veterans and military-affiliated network. The source is Jose
Gonzalez (jg2181@columbia.edu), Director of the Office of the VP
for University Development and Alumni Relations.
e. MilVets wants portraits and bios, and your military service
photos for the website. E-mail your pictures to Zhuo and Oscar.
E-mail your bio statement to Oscar. * Webmaster Zhuo Zheng's image
posting instructions:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2005/09/instructions-for-posting-images-in.html
f. Volunteer to host social gatherings. All it takes is giving us a
location, day, time, and short description. We can blast it out on
the MilVets mailing list.
g. Want law school application advice? Ask MilVets Secretary Julian
Petrin (jmp2154@columbia.edu).
h. Columbia MCMAP club. MCMAP = Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
Point of contact is Tyler Harris (th2149@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, comments or
concerns, please feel free to e-mail us at exec_vets@columbia.edu.
Eric Chen
Vice President
U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University
--
"Let me give you a word of the philosophy of reform. The whole
history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions
yet made to her august claims, have been born of earnest struggle.
The conflict has been exciting, agitating, all-absorbing, and for
the time being, putting all other tumults to silence. It must do
this or it does nothing. If there is no struggle there is no
progress."
- Frederick Douglass
MilVets News: 02APR06.
The weekly Spring 2006 MilVets News is archived at
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/milvets-news-spring-2006.html.
* Remember to set your clocks 1 hour ahead for Daylight savings
time.
CONTENTS:
1. Operation Iraqi Children at Columbia University begins on Monday
April 3.
2. MilVets E-Board election on Friday April 7.
3. Milvets running for GSSC positions.
4. Updates: JCS Admiral Giambastiani, Project McCain, ROTC
Commissioning in Low Rotunda, Michael Gordon.
5. Tips: Memorial Day on the Upper West Side, "A GS Rallying
Cry".
6. Jim Dingeman of NYMAS contrasts Columbia then and now.
7. Current requests and upcoming events.
_________________________________________________
1. Operation Iraqi Children at Columbia University begins on Monday
April 3.
OIC at CU begins tomorrow, Monday April 3. Please donate at OIC at
CU donation boxes on campus (eg, look for an OIC at CU box in
Lewisohn lounge, Lerner and dorms) or contact OIC at CU sponsors.
Directions from http://operationiraqichildren.org/donation.asp:
"Assemble each Kit according to the following list of items. Please
enclose NO additional items and be sure that all items are new and
unused. Each Kit should contain:
One pair of blunt-end scissors
One 12-inch ruler with metric markings
12 new pencils with erasers
One small pencil sharpener
One large eraser
One box of colored pencils (Crayons melt in the Iraqi summer heat!)
One package of notebook paper
One composition book
Three folders with inside pockets
One zippered pencil bag
Along with your donations, you may enclose a letter or set of
letters from you, your school or your organization to the soldiers
who will deliver your packages or to the Iraqi children who will
receive them. You may include photos, or your group assembling
packages, and suggest that the soldiers or children send back their
own pictures and letters.
Do not include any full names or addresses on the letters or
pictures.
If you have requested a response from the soldiers or Iraqi
children, enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Recipients of
OIC supplies have been instructed to send replies to donors directly
to the OIC Warehouse. We will forward these responses using the
provided envelope."
Please do not enclose religious or political materials.
OIC Information links:
OIC main website: http://operationiraqichildren.org
OIC donation page (School Supply Kit):
http://operationiraqichildren.org/donation.asp
OIC co-founder (actor) Gary Sinise’s radio spot:
http://operationiraqichildren.org/Movies/oicversionGARY.mp3
OIC coordinator contact: Liz Wegman at OICInfo@ptpi.org or
816.531.4701
Point of contact is Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
2. MilVets E-Board election on Friday April 7.
On Friday, MilVets is holding elections for the 2006-2007 E-Board.
Where and when: Lerner Ramp Lounge East, Friday April 7, 7-9 pm.
Peter Kim (pk2197@columbia.edu) and Luke Stalcup
(ls2367@columbia.edu) have announced their candidacies for the
MilVets Presidency.
* Their candidate statements will be e-mailed later today.
What you need to know:
Voter qualification, from MilVets Constitution: "3.1.2 - Requirement
for voting membership MilVets is documented proof, in the form of a
military identification card, Form DD-214, or a Leave and Earnings
Statement (LES), of past or present service in one of the five
armed services of the United States—Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines,
or Coast Guard."
QMS certification is required to hold a MilVets executive position.
Voting procedure, from MilVets Constitution: "7.2.1 - Any voting
member wishing to run for office must be nominated for the position
(self-nominations are also allowed). Another voting member of the
MilVets general body must second that nomination." ------ "7.2.2 -
After the nomination is seconded, the candidate must be elected by
a majority vote, or, if it is a contested election, by more votes
than the other candidates."
You may declare your intent to run for an executive position at the
election meeting.
E-Board positions up for election: 1 X President, 1 X Vice
President, 6 X Executive Council positions. * Other E-Board
positions (eg, Treasurer, Secretary, Webmaster, etc) are determined
by Presidential appointment and E-Board approval.
The E-Board election will be top down, ie, beginning with President,
then Vice President, then the Executive Council.
Point of contact is Oscar Escano (oje2001@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
3. Milvets running for GSSC positions.
Milvet Scott Stewart is running for GSSC Senior Class President, milvet
Todd Murphy is running for GSSC Delegate-at-Large, and USMC veteran (but
not in MilVets) Chris Foehner is running for GSSC VP of
Communications.
* Their candidate statements will be e-mailed later today.
GSSC Presidential candidate (non-milvet) Susannah Karlsson, with VP
candidate Niko Cunningham, met with the MilVets E-board on Friday
to discuss veterans service and representation issues in GSSC.
Interesting factoid: 24% of General Studies are veterans, American
and international.
_________________________________________________
4. Updates: JCS Admiral Giambastiani, Project McCain, ROTC
Commissioning in Low Rotunda, Michael Gordon.
a. Vice-Chair of Joint Chiefs of Staff ADM Edmund Giambastiani will
speak at Columbia on Wednesday April 19, invitation by MilVets and
Hamilton Society. Point of contact is Garth Stewart
(gs2245@columbia.edu).
b. Project McCain, a pol-milvets project. Milvet Peter Kim is in
communication with Senator John McCain's office. Peter has mailed
an invitation to Senator McCain to meet with MilVets when he speaks
at Columbia for Class Day. Point of contact is Peter Kim
(peterswkim@gmail.com).
c. Reminder: ROTC Commissioning in Low Rotunda, Friday May 19.
Columbia senior and Air Force ROTC cadet Bob Wray is pleased to
invite milvets and fellow members of the extended Columbia military
family to his commissioning ceremony in Low Rotunda.
Bob says, "It will be formal, class A's or business attire, in Low
Rotunda. It will be at 5 PM on Friday, May 19. President Bollinger
is expected to attend and it will be for me and 10 of my fellow
cadets from other schools. It will take about 75 minutes and I'm
trying to have a decent reception afterwards."
Point of contact is Bob Wray (row2004@columbia.edu).
d. SIPA milvet Dan McSweeney provides the tip that SIPA milvets are
arranging for Michael Gordon ("The Generals War", Senior NY Times
Defense Correspondent, "Cobra II") to come to campus, tentatively
Monday April 17. Point of contact is Dan
McSweeney(djm2121@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
5. Tips: Memorial Day on the Upper West Side, "A GS Rallying
Cry".
a. Tip from MilVets supporter Dan McGuire (dmaguire1@juno.com) about
Memorial Day events on the Upper West Side:
Some info re: some recent memorial day services on the Upper West
Side. On the NY Calendonian site, do an edit-find for "Chall".
http://www.nycaledonian.org/news.php
http://www.nostradamus.net/memorial_day.htm
http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20610FC3D540C738DDDAE0894DD404482
b. "A GS Rallying Call" by Niko Cunningham, Columbia Spectator
Opinion, 03/29/06.
http://www.columbiaspectator.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/03/29/442a24b0c9162?in_archive=1
EXCERPT: "Sixty years ago our grandfathers brought the GI Bill to
Morningside Heights and created a school we now know as General
Studies. Today, GS students are still soldiers . . . "
* Don't ever lose sight that student-veterans are the historical
basis for the School of General Studies at Columbia University. As
bearers of a proud Columbia heritage, milvets continue to redefine
Columbia today.
_________________________________________________
6. Jim Dingeman of NYMAS contrasts Columbia then and now.
Jim Dingeman (jimdingeman@yahoo.com), New York Military Affairs
Symposium (www.nymas.org) coordinator, sent MilVets this
interesting first-hand account of Columbia-military relations in
the Vietnam era, in contrast to today's Columbia:
"It is interesting that you guys got together the way you have at
this time. How did that happen?
"Let me cite some differences between now and then.
"First, there were big battles in Congress to bring up the benefits
of the GI Bill during the Vietnam Era to a comparable adjusted for
inflation program similar to what happened after World War Two.
That did not happen although there were increases but ironically
the Nixon Administartion in its first term was resistant. The
result of that and the lack of adequate planning by the VA and
Congress for the returning Vietnam era veterans was a whole series
of battles that carried on into the Carter Administartion. For
example, it was not until President Carter took office(his kid
served in Vietnam) that Vet Centers were initiated and less
opprobrium was attached to what then was know as PVS( Post Vietnam
Syndrome) and later became formally know as PTSD. There was a
famous case pf a MOH winner,Dwight Johnson, who got shot and killed
robbing a store in chicago in 1971. That created instant attention
towards these issues but it was not until the late eighties that
that changed. Another factor was the class factor. Because of the
inequities of the draft a heavy burden fell on the lower-middle
class and working class. In addition, the Project 100,000 program
of LBJ took in a large amount of Group IV's who would not normally
be favored as recruits by the armed forces. As a result, the amount
of GI's returning to college and using the GI Bill was not as high
as it was percentage wise for veterans after WW II.
"In the seventies the largest amount of veterans in NYC using the GI
bill were in the CUNY system. At one point that CUNY Veterans
Affairs office was helping 5-6000 vets through all the bureacratic
mishmash. As you know Columbia was different. First, ROTC had been
forced off campus as a result of the anti-war movement and
especially after 1968. 1968 effected Columbia tremendously because
alumni donations fell and such movements as the Weatherman faction
of SDS came out of the furnace of CU and the sixties. There was a
extreme reluctance in the seventies to look at the Vietnam War ( no
courses were taught about it) and within GS and the Graduate Schools
alot of folks who had been through the sixties as young people. If
guys who served met it was purely by accident or through social
interactions. I do not recall active efforts to bring veterans
together at CU except for anti-war events.
"Second, different parts of the school were always distinct in how
veterans were treated. Everybody was recovering from the multiple
shocks to the belief systems that the sixties represented with
Watergate as the icing on the cake. People were indifferent and
exhausted about thinking and talking about the war. That did not
mean they were not curious about it. The vast majority of people
you met were friendly and thoughful about it This included the left
organizations. Remember, there had been several phases in the
anti-war movement towards GI's. It had movedfrom simplistic
attitudes of hostility to "baby-killers" to a different approach
when the veterans anti-war movement hit the airwaves in 1970-1971
in the form of VVAW. You can see this today in how those opposed to
the Iraqi War have gravitated around veterans who reinforce their
beliefs. But NYC had the largest chapter of VVAW in the country(600
members) and it has morphed and remained a force in these issues to
this day with many offspring as people have grown older and their
opinions mellowed. There was such a chapter at Columbia but I
believe it disappeared by 72-73.
"Third, there were guys who had attended the college and been in
ROTC. Most were in NROTC and a couple went into PLC and became
Marine officers but just a handful of those people came back to
Columbia for further schooling. A number of guys went through GS
l;ike yourselves but remember the times were different. Guys
related more with each other on who had the baddest weed than what
they had been doing during the war...it was something people just
wanted to get behind them and move on with their lives.
"Oh I forgot, there were lots of people who had served in the Guard
and Reserves during the Vietnam era and alot of them had a mixed
bag view of the military, generally bemused cynicism. There were
pockets of empathetic environments. The SIA building had all the
regional institutes and always had several active duty types going
through to get graduate degress, usually before serving as faculty
at West Point. The Air Force had a permanent officer assigned to
the Institute of War and Peace Studies and they were always great
guys to hang out with. One of them was close to now Ambassador in
Iraq Zalmay Khalizad who after getting his PHD at Chicago came to
Columbia to teach. He later went to State and the DOD to work of
the mujahadeen war in Afghanistan againt the USSR. There were a
large number of veterans who had served either AFSA or ASA who were
in the political science department, maybe 4-5 guys. They were very
bright but again their motivation was to move on and out. Columbia
at the time was considered by the DOD and place to cultivate since
so many of Carter's national secuirty appointed staff came from
here.
"Fourth, I have learned over the years that 11- Bravo's or similar
types from Ivy League backgrounds are generally a cantakerous lot.;
My generation is noted for their lack of respect for authority,
distrust of it, and general hedonism...traits quite understandable
given the evolution of the times. This was expressed in a
reluctance AT THAT time by some to join the VFW and American Legion
since some of the WWII vets would come out with ridiculous
comparisons between their service and what went on in Vietnam. That
coupled with the all-pervasive counter-culture and drug usage which
by the mid seventies became a wholistic generational phenomena
across class lines lead to sharp differences. And remember, the
backlash to all this is partly what has led to Reagan, Bush I and
II and a Republican Congress. How the guys at the Arms Control
workshop got together was purely because of common intellectual
interests, good vibes to one another, a frustration at what we
deemed to be inadeuate looks at these issues( we were sick of
hearing general officers come occasionally and lay down the party
line) and a genuine desire in the aftermath of the Vietnam War to
educate the public about these issues. It was strictly informal and
we also used it as a way for us to hone our speaking skills in front
of an audience.
"I should also add that in NYC there was a non-CU side to all
this...the commerical war gaming industry. There used to be based
in NYC a large company called SPI on 23rd Street and it was run by
a Cold War era veteran who had gone to Columbia. There were also
some prominent war game designers who attended Columbia. The entire
effort at CU collapsed in the early eighties as we graduated and
went onto bigger and better things. But , the present day NYMAS
derives in part from that period of time. Jim"
Point of contact is Jim Dingeman (jimdingeman@yahoo.com).
_________________________________________________
7. Current requests and upcoming events.
a. Week of 4/03: Mon 4/03 - Operation Iraqi Children at Columbia
University begins; Fri 4/07 - MilVets E-Board election.
* Spring 2006 schedule of events:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/spring-2006-schedule-of-events.html
b. Interested in joining pol-milvets, the network of milvets within
MilVets who are eyeing a career in government, public service,
public policy and/or politics in some form? Point of contact is
Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu).
c. Help GSer Bridget Potter (bp264@columbia.edu) with her
Anthropology project research on soldierization and the
post-military transition to civilian life.
d. From GS Dean Mary McGee (mm383@columbia.edu): In its many efforts
to be aware of, understand, and interact with students and alumni
from all different kinds of backgrounds, the university would like
to identify Columbia students and alumni who have been or are
affiliated with the U.S. military. Please respond to this email if
you are willing to identify yourself and your military affiliation.
This information will be shared with the various administrative
offices on campus. Respond to this email and include your name,
Columbia email address, the branch of the military you are
affiliated with and your current status (e.g., ROTC, active,
reserve, veteran, etc.). If there is other relevant information
that you think would be helpful to share with us, you are welcome
to send that along as well. Thank you.
* According to Dean McGee (mm383@columbia.edu), this request comes
from the university level administration and is meant for all
Columbia, not just GS. Its intent is to develop a Columbia-based
veterans and military-affiliated network. The source is Jose
Gonzalez (jg2181@columbia.edu), Director of the Office of the VP
for University Development and Alumni Relations.
e. MilVets wants portraits and bios, and your military service
photos for the website. E-mail your pictures to Zhuo and Oscar.
E-mail your bio statement to Oscar. * Webmaster Zhuo Zheng's image
posting instructions:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2005/09/instructions-for-posting-images-in.html
f. Volunteer to host social gatherings. All it takes is giving us a
location, day, time, and short description. We can blast it out on
the MilVets mailing list.
g. Want law school application advice? Ask MilVets Secretary Julian
Petrin (jmp2154@columbia.edu).
h. Columbia MCMAP club. MCMAP = Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
Point of contact is Tyler Harris (th2149@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, comments or
concerns, please feel free to e-mail us at exec_vets@columbia.edu.
Eric Chen
Vice President
U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University
--
"Let me give you a word of the philosophy of reform. The whole
history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions
yet made to her august claims, have been born of earnest struggle.
The conflict has been exciting, agitating, all-absorbing, and for
the time being, putting all other tumults to silence. It must do
this or it does nothing. If there is no struggle there is no
progress."
- Frederick Douglass
MilVets News: 26MAR06.
The weekly Spring 2006 MilVets News is archived at
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/milvets-news-spring-2006.html.
* Countdown: The 2006-2007 E-board election is in less than 2 weeks,
on Friday April 7.
CONTENTS:
1. Ray Carl hosting Wings Night at Hooters on Thursday March 30.
2. Party with MilVets alumni on Friday March 31.
3. *New* MilVets career network: Pol-milvets.
4. Coverage of Through the Eyes of a Soldier IV, Monday March 20.
5. Heads-up: MilVets inviting Admiral Giambastiani, Vice Chairman of
Joint Chiefs of Staff, to Columbia.
6. News tips: Military and Columbia (multiple), frozen WWII pilot.
7. Current requests and upcoming events.
_________________________________________________
1. Ray Carl hosting Wings Night at Hooters on Thursday March 30.
Event: MilVets Wings Night, Thursday March 30th!
What: Catch up with your fellow vets at the classiest joint in town,
Hooters! Come alone or bring a friend, and enjoy some good food (if
you stick to their wings) and good company!
Where and When: Hooters, Thursday March 30th, 8 pm.
Go to: 211 West 56th Street (Between Broadway and 7th)
Phone: 212-581-5656
From Columbia (10-15 minute trip):
Take the downtown 1 train to 59th Street (Columbus Circle).
Walk downtown on Broadway.
Turn left on 56th Street (Hooters will be on the left).
Alternatively, the M104 Bus stops right in front Hooters.
Point of contact is Ray Carl (rlc2120@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
2. Party with MilVets alumni on Friday March 31.
On Friday March 31 at 8 pm, milvet Will Melendez
(wm2140@columbia.edu) and his lovely wife Caroline are graciously
hosting the Party with MilVets alumni.
Find out what it was like at Columbia back in the day, and what's
waiting for us after Columbia. Network and make new friends. Help
our hosts by bringing your own booze and food.
Will's Address: 549 Riverside Drive 4C.
Directions:
Go north on Broadway and turn LEFT(!) onto Tiemann (if you've gone
past 125th, you've gone too far). Where Tiemann and Claremont Ave
intersect you'll see a building 195 Claremont. Buzz us at 4C.
Once you are in follow the signs through the maze to the back (the
signs are labeled 549 Riverside). Once you get to our side of the
building take elevator to the 4th floor and go straight down the
hallway to the left of the elevator.
Point of contact is Oscar Escano (oje2001@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
3. *New* MilVets career network: Pol-milvets.
As milvet Peter Kim says, "it's not what you know, it's who you
know". Pol-milvets is a network of milvets within MilVets who are
contemplating a career in government, public policy and/or politics
in some form. To date, there are 12 names on the list, evenly
divided between milvets eyeing elected public office and government
positions such as DoD or CIA. Contact Eric Chen
(elc2003@columbia.edu) if you want to join the Pol-milvets listing.
At present, Pol-milvets is organizing a MilVets Meet&Greet with
Senator John McCain for when he comes to Columbia for Class Day on
May 16.
Point of contact is Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
4. Coverage of Through the Eyes of a Soldier IV, Monday March 20.
Now on-line, pictures of Through the Eyes of a Soldier IV, Monday
March 20, and the Columbia University Chaplain's Prayer for Troops
and Veterans, Thursday March 9. Go to *NEW ADDITIONS* in the
MilVets Gallery:
http://community.webshots.com/album/501671921skjwJE
Columbia Spectator: "Groups Reflect On War in Iraq"[Third
Anniversary, Discussion and Vigils Held Across Campus] By Lydia
DePillis, Columbia Spectator New, March 21, 2006.
http://www.columbiaspectator.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/03/21/441fc9ca85ec5?in_archive=1
BONUS: Student speeches at Columbia University Chaplain's Prayer for
Troops and Veterans at St Paul's Chapel, Thursday March 9.
http://milvetslibrary.blogspot.com/2006/03/student-speeches-from-columbia.html
_________________________________________________
5. Heads-up: MilVets inviting Admiral Giambastiani, Vice Chairman of
Joint Chiefs of Staff, to Columbia.
MilVets and Hamilton Society (formerly Columbia Military Society)
are working on a speaking event at Columbia for Admiral Edmund
Giambastiani. Read about him:
http://www.jcs.mil/bios/bio_giambastiani.html
Point of contact is Garth Stewart (gs2245@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
6. News tips: Military and Columbia, frozen WWII pilot.
a. "Discrimination Policy Amended" [New Policy Wording Adds Military
Status to Protected Group List] by Matt Mireles
(mpm2113@columbia.edu), Columbia Spectator News, 24MAR06.
http://www.columbiaspectator.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/03/24/4423afb2ae4de
EXCERPT: "In early February, Columbia amended its non-
discrimination policy to include military status among the list of
protected groups that cannot be subjected to discrimination or
“discriminatory harassment”."
b. "Staff Editorial: "Opportunity Disguised" by Columbia Spectator,
Columbia Spectator Opinion, 24MAR06.
http://www.columbiaspectator.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/03/24/44239f82026d0?in_archive=1
EXCERPT: "Increasing Columbia’s involvement with the military
through recruiting and ROTC might rankle some, but it would be the
best way for Columbians to work for justice."
c. "Rumsfeld 1, Columbia 0" by Chris Kulawik (cek2105@columbia.edu),
Columbia Spectator Opinion, 22MAR06.
http://www.columbiaspectator.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/03/22/4420f7215d1e0?in_archive=1
EXCERPT: "The acceptance of ROTC by the Columbia student body is not
a referendum on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” There are both
conservatives and liberals who take issue with the Clinton-era
policy; it was Mr. Conservative himself, Barry Goldwater, who
supposedly said, “You don’t have to be straight to be in the
military; you just have to be able to shoot straight.”"
d. "War College" by Peter Beinart, The New Republic, 20MAR06.
http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=20060320&s=trb032006
EXCERPT: "Hillary Clinton, congratulations. You're the lucky
recipient of a winning political issue, which has the added virtue
of being morally important. Send your thanks to Columbia University
and the U.S. Supreme Court."
e. Tip from milvet Matt Sanchez (mas2178@columbia.edu): "Frozen WWII
airman identified" by Thelma Gutierrez and Dree De Clamecy, CNN.com,
04FEB06. http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/02/03/airman.identified/
EXCERPT: "The U.S. military has identified the body of a World War
II airman that climbers found in October at the bottom of a glacier
in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Family members said they learned this week that the man was
22-year-old Army Air Corps cadet Leo Mustonen, who died in a 1942
plane crash."
_________________________________________________
7. Current requests and upcoming events.
a. Week of 3/27: Thurs 3/30 - Wings Night at Hooters; Fri 3/31 -
E-board meeting, Party with MilVets alumni.
* Spring 2006 schedule of events:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/spring-2006-schedule-of-events.html
b. Help GSer Bridget Potter (bp264@columbia.edu) with her
Anthropology project research on soldierization and the
post-military transition to civilian life.
c. From GS Dean Mary McGee (mm383@columbia.edu): In its many efforts
to be aware of, understand, and interact with students and alumni
from all different kinds of backgrounds, the university would like
to identify Columbia students and alumni who have been or are
affiliated with the U.S. military. Please respond to this email if
you are willing to identify yourself and your military affiliation.
This information will be shared with the various administrative
offices on campus. Respond to this email and include your name,
Columbia email address, the branch of the military you are
affiliated with and your current status (e.g., ROTC, active,
reserve, veteran, etc.). If there is other relevant information
that you think would be helpful to share with us, you are welcome
to send that along as well. Thank you.
* According to Dean McGee (mm383@columbia.edu), this request comes
from the university level administration and is meant for all
Columbia, not just GS. Its intent is to develop a Columbia-based
veterans and military-affiliated network. The source is Jose
Gonzalez (jg2181@columbia.edu), Director of the Office of the VP
for University Development and Alumni Relations.
d. MilVets wants portraits and bios, and your military service
photos for the website. E-mail your pictures to Zhuo and Oscar.
E-mail your bio statement to Oscar. * Webmaster Zhuo Zheng's image
posting instructions:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2005/09/instructions-for-posting-images-in.html
e. Volunteer to host social gatherings. All it takes is giving us a
location, day, time, and short description. We can blast it out on
the MilVets mailing list.
f. Want law school application advice? Ask MilVets Secretary Julian
Petrin (jmp2154@columbia.edu).
g. Columbia MCMAP club. MCMAP = Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
Point of contact is Tyler Harris (th2149@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, comments or
concerns, please feel free to e-mail us at exec_vets@columbia.edu.
Eric Chen
Vice President
U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University
--
"Let me give you a word of the philosophy of reform. The whole
history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions
yet made to her august claims, have been born of earnest struggle.
The conflict has been exciting, agitating, all-absorbing, and for
the time being, putting all other tumults to silence. It must do
this or it does nothing. If there is no struggle there is no
progress."
- Frederick Douglass
MilVets News: 19MAR06.
The weekly Spring 2006 MilVets News is archived at
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/milvets-news-spring-2006.html.
* Happy St. Patrick's Day, and welcome back to school.
CONTENTS:
1. Through the Eyes of a Soldier: Columbia Veterans Tell Their
Stories (Iraq and Afghanistan) - Monday at 8:30 pm.
2. Help GSer Bridget Potter research post-military transition.
3. Seth Hillbrand send-off pictures now on-line.
4. Update on Operation Iraqi Children at Columbia University.
5. CAT III, election and pre-calendaring.
6. Tip: read about milvet Tyler Harris in GS Observer.
7. Miscellaneous news.
8. Current requests and upcoming events.
_________________________________________________
1. Through the Eyes of a Soldier: Columbia Veterans Tell Their
Stories (Iraq and Afghanistan) - Monday at 8:30 pm.
WHEN and WHERE: MONDAY MARCH 20, 8:30-9:30 PM, Earl Hall Auditorium
(117th Street and Broadway, Main Campus side).
On March 20, the 3rd anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the
U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University (MilVets) will hold a
special panel discussion with veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq
conflicts. Come hear Columbia student-veterans discuss their
first-hand experiences with combat, nation-building and other
rigours of present-day war. This is your chance to ask questions of
classmates who have participated in these conflicts at the ground
level. Please join us in the Earl Hall Auditorium on Monday, March
20 from 8:30 to 9:30 PM for a candid and intimate view of war
Through the Eyes of a Soldier. This is a nonpartisan event.
Point of contact is Todd Murphy (tjm2122@columbia.edu).
* Postering. We need to do intensive flyering on campus between now
and the event. If you can help, please contact Luke Stalcup
(ls2367@columbia.edu).
** FYI, other OIF 3rd anniversary campus events on Monday. The
Working Family Party is holding an anti-OIF planning session in 202
Altschul at Barnard at 7 pm, "influential experts" on Iraq are
holding a pay-per-view panel in Miller Theater at 8 pm, and Project
3.20 is holding a moment of silence for our war dead on Low Steps at
9:30 pm.
_________________________________________________
2. Help GSer Bridget Potter research post-military transition.
From Bridget Potter (bp264@columbia.edu) to MilVets:
I'm working on a project for an Anthropology Class and have chosen
the subject of the making of a soldier and the "unmaking" (ie.
re-entry into civilian life). I wonder if you might have a minute
to talk and see whether there is a way that you could help me and I
could in turn help the group?
Hopefully,
Bridget Potter
bp264@columbia.edu
_________________________________________________
3. Seth Hillbrand send-off pictures now on-line.
Thanks to Peter Kim for his pictures from the Thursday March 9
send-off party for Seth at the Abbey Pub. Go to the MilVets Gallery
at http://community.webshots.com/user/milvets, then go to the *NEW
ADDITIONS* folder. Seth, of course, has taken a leave of absence
from Columbia to deploy to Iraq with I MEF.
_________________________________________________
4. Update on Operation Iraqi Children at Columbia University.
We currently are in the planning and set-up stage of Operation Iraqi
Children at Columbia. The project is scheduled for all of April,
beginning Monday April 3 and ending Monday May 1. We very much hope
- and need - to work with Columbia student groups to achieve success
of this worthy project. In MilVets, we have limited means and,
therefore, a simple plan: enlist the help of charitable classmates
to collect basic school supplies from the Columbia community
according to OIC's instructions (see Donation link below).
Please review OIC's information. I've picked out some links. Feel
free to read all of their information.
Main Website: http://operationiraqichildren.org
Donation page (School Supply Kit):
http://operationiraqichildren.org/donation.asp
Gary Sinise radio spot:
http://operationiraqichildren.org/Movies/oicversionGARY.mp3
OIC Coordinator contact: Liz Wegman at OICInfo@ptpi.org or
816.531.4701
Want to help?
Point of contact is Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
5. CAT III, election and pre-calendaring.
MilVets has been promoted to a Category III group by ABC, which
means we will receive school funding beginning this Fall.
The MilVets 2006-2007 Executive Board election is in 3 weeks, on
Friday April 7. Pre-calendaring, or reserving campus event space
for Fall 2006, is from March 20 to March 31. If you have a plan, or
even a non-committed idea, for a MilVets event in the Fall, tell us
now so we can reserve an appropriate campus event space.
_________________________________________________
6. Tip: read about milvet Tyler Harris in GS Observer.
Milvet and former US Marines Sergeant Tyler Harris has written a
feature article, with pictures, about his military experience for
the annual GS Observer magazine, now in distribution. The editor of
the GS Observer is milvet Matt Sanchez (mas2178@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
7. Miscellaneous news.
Women Veterans Outreach. Wednesday, March 29, 2006, 1:00 pm – 5:00
pm. Veterans’ Memorial Hall at 108 Leonard Street, between Broadway
& Lafayette Streets. 8th Floor Conference room. For more
information, contact Clarice Joynes (cjoynes@cityhall.nyc.gov) at
the Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs.
Joseph A. Bello (bjoe7@hotmail.com) has contacted MilVets about an
independent NYC-area veterans support network. Read about it at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NYMetroVets/.
On May 16, Arizona Senator John McCain will speak at Columbia for
Class Day. If you are interested in planning a (possible) MilVets
meet-and-greet and discussion with the senator, contact Eric Chen
(elc2003@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
8. Current requests and upcoming events.
a. Week of 3/20: Mon 3/20 - MilVets OIF/OEF panel.
* Spring 2006 schedule of events:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/spring-2006-schedule-of-events.html
b. MilVets would like to know your career interests and/or career
field in order to generate an open-source listing to aid
career-oriented networking among milvets. POC: Eric Chen
(elc2003@columbia.edu).
c. From GS Dean Mary McGee (mm383@columbia.edu): In its many efforts
to be aware of, understand, and interact with students and alumni
from all different kinds of backgrounds, the university would like
to identify Columbia students and alumni who have been or are
affiliated with the U.S. military. Please respond to this email if
you are willing to identify yourself and your military affiliation.
This information will be shared with the various administrative
offices on campus. Respond to this email and include your name,
Columbia email address, the branch of the military you are
affiliated with and your current status (e.g., ROTC, active,
reserve, veteran, etc.). If there is other relevant information
that you think would be helpful to share with us, you are welcome
to send that along as well. Thank you.
* According to Dean McGee (mm383@columbia.edu), this request comes
from the university level administration and is meant for all
Columbia, not just GS. Its intent is to develop a Columbia-based
veterans and military-affiliated network. The source is Jose
Gonzalez (jg2181@columbia.edu), Director of the Office of the VP
for University Development and Alumni Relations.
d. MilVets wants portraits and bios, and your military service
photos for the website. E-mail your pictures to Zhuo and Oscar.
E-mail your bio statement to Oscar. * Webmaster Zhuo Zheng's image
posting instructions:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2005/09/instructions-for-posting-images-in.html
e. Volunteer to host social gatherings. All it takes is giving us a
location, day, time, and short description. We can blast it out on
the MilVets mailing list.
f. Want law school application advice? Ask MilVets Secretary Julian
Petrin (jmp2154@columbia.edu).
g. Columbia MCMAP club. MCMAP = Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
Point of contact is Tyler Harris (th2149@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, comments or
concerns, please feel free to e-mail us at exec_vets@columbia.edu.
Eric Chen
Vice President
U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University
--
"Let me give you a word of the philosophy of reform. The whole
history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions
yet made to her august claims, have been born of earnest struggle.
The conflict has been exciting, agitating, all-absorbing, and for
the time being, putting all other tumults to silence. It must do
this or it does nothing. If there is no struggle there is no
progress."
- Frederick Douglass
MilVets News: 12MAR06.
The weekly Spring 2006 MilVets News is archived at
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/milvets-news-spring-2006.html.
CONTENTS:
1. Request for help from GS Anthropology student for research
project about soldierization and re-entry into civilian life.
2. Through The Eyes of a Soldier: Columbia Veterans Tell Their
Stories - Monday, March 20.
3. Report on Columbia Chaplain's Prayer for Troops and Veterans.
4. Updated Spring 2006 Schedule of Events.
5. Internship with Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD).
6. Mariel Sosa, MilVets supporter and VA counselor.
7. Pre-calendaring for Fall 2006.
8. News tip: Solomon Amendment upheld by SCOTUS.
9. Current requests and upcoming events.
_________________________________________________
1. Request for help from GS Anthropology student for research
project about soldierization and re-entry into civilian life.
From Bridget Potter (bp264@columbia.edu) to MilVets:
I'm a fellow GS student, and I attended the panel discussion ... on
Veterans Day and was really impressed on many levels. I'm working
on a project for an Anthropology Class and have chosen the subject
of the making of a soldier and the "unmaking" (ie. re-entry into
civilian life). I wonder if you might have a minute to talk and see
whether there is a way that you could help me and I could in turn
help the group?
Hopefully,
Bridget Potter
bp264@columbia.edu
_________________________________________________
2. Through The Eyes of a Soldier: Columbia Veterans Tell Their
Stories - Monday, March 20.
When and where: MARCH 20, 8:30-9:30 PM, Earl Hall Auditorium
On March 20, the Columbia Military Veterans will be hosting a panel
discussion with veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts.
Come hear the experiences of your fellow students as they discuss
the rigours of combat in a foreign land. This is your chance to
ask questions of veterans who have participated in these conflicts
at the ground level. Please join us in the Earl Hall Auditorium from
8:30 to 9:30 PM for a candid and intimate view of war Through the
Eyes of a Soldier.
Point of contact is Todd Murphy (tjm2122@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
3. Report on Columbia Chaplain's Prayer for Troops and Veterans.
Last Thursday's flag-folding ceremony and prayer in St. Paul's
Chapel, sponsored by Chaplain Davis, MilVets and the Hamilton
Society (formerly Columbia Military Society), went well. Thanks go
to our own Mike Nicholas, Julia Oh, Peter Kim, Matt Sanchez, Mark
Xue, Riaz Zaidi, Oscar Escano (closing remarks) and Eric Chen.
Double thanks go to Mike Nicholas, the milvet in charge of the flag
folding detail, Julia Oh for her opening remarks, Mark Xue for his
closing remarks, and Peter Kim for delivering the MilVets prayer.
Read the student speeches from the event, on-line at
http://milvetslibrary.blogspot.com/2006/03/student-speeches-from-columbia.html.
The event was photographed and videotaped.
Point of contact is the University Chaplain (chaplain@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
4. Updated Spring 2006 Schedule of Events.
Monday, March 20 at 8:30 pm, Auditorium at Earl Hall:
Through the Eyes of a Soldier IV: Columbia Veterans Tell Their
Stories. See event description in News item 2. POC: Todd Murphy
(tjm2122@columbia.edu).
Thursday, April 6 at 5 pm, Dodge Room at Earl Hall:
Sexuality in the Military. This event will be a panel discussion
about the roles of gender and sex in the military with topics
ranging from masculinity in the military, to gender and sexuality,
to homosexuals serving in the military. POC: Luke Stalcup
(ls2367@columbia.edu).
Friday, April 7 at 7 pm, Ramp Lounge East at Lerner Hall:
General body meeting and elections for 2006-2007 executive board.
POC: Oscar Escano (oje2001@columbia.edu).
Monday, April 3 until Monday, May 1, Columbia University:
Operation Iraqi Children at Columbia University. MilVets and
co-sponsors will organize a campus drive to collect basic school
supplies that will be sent to Iraq for distribution by US and
Coalition Soldiers to Iraqi children. POC: Eric Chen
(elc2003@columbia.edu).
See the on-line Spring 2006 schedule of events at
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/spring-2006-schedule-of-events.html
_________________________________________________
5. Internship with Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD).
* This News item does not imply MilVets endorsement of nor
affiliation with FDD. Do your due diligence. FYI, the internship
requires that your graduation is no earlier than 2007.
Dear Student Leader:
Do you want to defeat terrorism and promote democracy?
The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD) is currently
accepting applications for its 5th Annual Undergraduate Fellowship
on Terrorism. The program is comprised of a two-week
counterterrorism training seminar in Israel, a four-day seminar in
Washington, D.C for students to better understand America’s
leadership role in the war on terrorism, and campus events which
are staged by students on terrorism and democracy. All expenses
paid by FDD.
Please forward this email to other club members; we accept at least
2 people per school. For more information or to apply:
http://www.defenddemocracy.org/programs/programs_list.htm?attrib_id=7401.
Applications are due by April 14th. If you have any questions or
concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Audra Ozols
Campus Programs Coordinator
The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies
1146 19th Street, NW
Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20036
202-207-3693 Phone
202-207-0191 Fax
audra@defenddemocracy.org
FDD is a non-profit, non-partisan policy institute based in
Washington, D.C. that conducts research on global terrorism. For
more information please visit or website at
www.defenddemocracy.org.
_________________________________________________
6. Mariel Sosa, MilVets supporter and VA counselor.
Mariel Sosa (m.sosa@yahoo.com) contacted us offering her support for
MilVets. There are closer veterans centers to Columbia than
Mariel's, but they didn't contact us like she did. Mariel is a
Marist 2002 graduate and an Iraq veteran.
Mariel A. Sosa, BSW
Readjustment Counseling Technician
Manhattan Vet Center
32 Broadway Suite 200
New York, NY 10004
212 742 9591
603 391 6230
_________________________________________________
7. Pre-calendaring for Fall 2006.
Through March, Columbia student organizations are reserving campus
spaces for Fall 2006 events. If you have a proposal, or even just
an idea, for a MilVets campus event in the Fall semester, tell us
now so we can pre-calendar an appropriate space. Try to give us an
estimate for date and time.
Point of contact is Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
8. News tip: Solomon Amendment upheld by SCOTUS.
Tip from milvets Pete Brennan, Ray Carl, Matt Sanchez, Scott
Stewart, Luke Stalcup and others: Supreme Court of the United
States decision text "Rumsfeld v. Forum for Academic and
Institutional Rights, Inc. (No. 04-1152)" - see
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/05pdf/04-1152.pdf.
Columbia-related coverage:
March 7, 2006 New York Sun article "High Court Opens Campuses to
Military" - see http://www.nysun.com/article/28640.
March 7, 2006 Columbia Spectator article "Supreme Court Upholds
Solomon Amendment: Columbia Could Face Choice Between ROTC and
Federal Funding" - see
http://www.columbiaspectator.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/03/06/440ca884d143b.
March 8, 2006 Columbia Spectator article "Supreme Court Upholds
Solomon Amendment: Unanimous Ruling Affirms Military’s Right to
Recruit on College Campuses" - see
http://www.columbiaspectator.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/03/08/440e9cd2dddd9.
Point of contact is Sean Wilkes (slw2014@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
9. Current requests and upcoming events.
a. Week of 3/13: None. * Mon 3/20 - OIF/OEF milvets panel.
* Spring 2006 schedule of events:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/spring-2006-schedule-of-events.html
b. MilVets would like to know your career interests and/or career
field in order to generate an open-source listing to aid
career-oriented networking among milvets. POC: Eric Chen
(elc2003@columbia.edu).
c. From GS Dean Mary McGee (mm383@columbia.edu): In its many efforts
to be aware of, understand, and interact with students and alumni
from all different kinds of backgrounds, the university would like
to identify Columbia students and alumni who have been or are
affiliated with the U.S. military. Please respond to this email if
you are willing to identify yourself and your military affiliation.
This information will be shared with the various administrative
offices on campus. Respond to this email and include your name,
Columbia email address, the branch of the military you are
affiliated with and your current status (e.g., ROTC, active,
reserve, veteran, etc.). If there is other relevant information
that you think would be helpful to share with us, you are welcome
to send that along as well. Thank you.
* According to Dean McGee (mm383@columbia.edu), this request comes
from the university level administration and is meant for all
Columbia, not just GS. Its intent is to develop a Columbia-based
veterans and military-affiliated network. The source is Jose
Gonzalez (jg2181@columbia.edu), Director of the Office of the VP
for University Development and Alumni Relations.
d. MilVets wants portraits and bios, and your military service
photos for the website. E-mail your pictures to Zhuo and Oscar.
E-mail your bio statement to Oscar. * Webmaster Zhuo Zheng's image
posting instructions:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2005/09/instructions-for-posting-images-in.html
e. Volunteer to host social gatherings. All it takes is giving us a
location, day, time, and short description. We can blast it out on
the MilVets mailing list.
f. Want law school application advice? Ask MilVets Secretary Julian
Petrin (jmp2154@columbia.edu).
g. Columbia MCMAP club. MCMAP = Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
Point of contact is Tyler Harris (th2149@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, comments or
concerns, please feel free to e-mail us at exec_vets@columbia.edu.
Eric Chen
Vice President
U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University
--
"Let me give you a word of the philosophy of reform. The whole
history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions
yet made to her august claims, have been born of earnest struggle.
The conflict has been exciting, agitating, all-absorbing, and for
the time being, putting all other tumults to silence. It must do
this or it does nothing. If there is no struggle there is no
progress."
- Frederick Douglass
MilVets News: 05MAR06.
The weekly Spring 2006 MilVets News is archived at http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/milvets-news-spring-2006.html.
* Haven't yet familiarized with the new MilVets logo? Check out http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/02/milvets-logo-and-symbolism.html.
CONTENTS:
1. Seth Hillbrand send-off party this Thursday at the Abbey Pub.
2. Columbia asks veterans and military-affiliated students to self-identify.
3. Tip: USO taping video messages on campus for the troops.
4. Reminder: One month until e-board elections.
5. Tip: Elizabeth Hollister, GSSC President candidate, reaches out to milvets.
6. Update for Operation Iraqi Children at Columbia University.
7. News tip: Criminal probe in death of Army Ranger SPC Tillman.
8. Current requests and upcoming events.
_________________________________________________
1. Seth Hillbrand send-off party this Thursday at the Abbey Pub.
The send-off party for milvet and USMC Capt Seth Hillbrand (snh2103@columbia.edu) is at the Abbey Pub this Thursday March 9 at 7 pm. Seth is taking a leave of absence from Columbia to deploy to Iraq with I MEF. The Abbey Pub is located on 105th St between Broadway and Amsterdam Aves, just off Broadway. If you wish to sign Seth's good luck Columbia banner, contact Matt Sanchez.
Point of contact is Matt Sanchez (mas2178@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
2. Columbia asks veterans and military-affiliated students to self-identify.
* This message was originally sent to the General Studies listserv:
From: Mary McGee, Dean of Students/Associate Dean of Faculty
Date: 27 February 2006
In its many efforts to be aware of, understand, and interact with students and alumni from all different kinds of backgrounds, the university would like to identify Columbia students and alumni who have been or are affiliated with the U.S. military. Please respond to this email if you are willing to identify yourself and your military affiliation. This information will be shared with the various administrative offices on campus. Respond to this email and include your name, Columbia email address, the branch of the military you are affiliated with and your current status (e.g., ROTC, active, reserve, veteran, etc.). If there is other relevant information that you think would be helpful to share with us, you are welcome to send that along as well.
Thank you.
** According to Dean McGee (mm383@columbia.edu), this request comes from the university level administration and is meant for all Columbia, not just GS. Its intent is to develop a veterans and military-affiliated support network. The source is Jose Gonzalez (jg2181@columbia.edu), Director of the Office of the VP for University Development and Alumni Relations.
Point of contact is Oscar Escano (oje2001@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
3. Tip: USO taping video messages on campus for the troops.
According to milvet Matt Sanchez, the USO (www.uso.org) will be on campus this week to tape video messages for our troops overseas. Date, time and location for taping is TBA. If/when Matt updates us, we'll update you.
Point of contact is Matt Sanchez (mas2178@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
4. Reminder: One month until e-board elections.
Friday 4/7/2006, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM: General Body Meeting and Elections. Lerner Ramp Lounge East. Vote for the 2006-2007 executive board.
* One month until e-board elections. MilVets has not had a candidacy campaigning tradition. Due to our relatively small size, it was unnecessary. In 2005-2006, MilVets has undergone impressive growth and is maturing into a formidable campus community (witness: successful MilVets lobbying for Discrimination Policy change). If you wish to run for a MilVets executive position in the 2006-2007 executive board, it behooves you to plan for victory. If you have questions or would like assistance, feel free to contact exec_vets@columbia.edu or any MilVets executive individually.
Forewarned, the success or failure of MilVets falls on its leaders. MilVets is a responsibility that demands superior competence and commitment, but it's about us and carries the power to make a difference. The potential of MilVets' future is great.
_________________________________________________
5. Tip: Elizabeth Hollister, GSSC President candidate, reaches out to milvets.
According to Matt Sanchez (mas2178@columbia.edu), candidate for GSSC President Elizabeth Hollister (ebh2104@columbia.edu) is reaching out to the GS veterans community. Elizabeth would like to know how she and GSSC might help us. Feel free to offer her your suggestions.
_________________________________________________
6. Update for Operation Iraqi Children at Columbia University.
See www.operationiraqichildren.org. Planning and set up for OIC at CU formally began yesterday and will end on Sunday April 2. Preview flyering begins Monday March 6. Execution begins Monday April 3 and ends Monday May 1. Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu) is the MilVets project lead on OIC at CU.
* OIC at CU is the right thing to do, but I have zero experience running this kind of campus project. I need help.
Point of contact is Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
7. News tip: Criminal probe in death of Army Ranger SPC Tillman.
Tip from milvet Matt Sanchez (mas2178@columbia.edu): "Army to Launch Probe Into Tillman Death - Yahoo! News" By Robert Burns and Lolita Baldor, AP, posted March 5, 2006.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060305/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/army_tillman_investigation
_________________________________________________
8. Current requests and upcoming events.
a. Week of 3/06: Thurs 3/09 - Seth Hillbrand's TDY party, Abbey Pub.
* Spring 2006 schedule of events:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/spring-2006-schedule-of-events.html
b. MilVets needs Iraq and Afghanistan vets to speak about their war experiences at Through the Eyes of a Soldier IV, tentatively scheduled for Mar 24. Point of contact is Todd Murphy (murphytj@gmail.com).
c. Remember that the discrimination case is being engaged at two *distinct* levels: 1. Milvet Matt Sanchez's pursuit of redress related to the Activities Day incident -- 2. The Oscar Escano-led petition for university policy and practical reform. If you wish to get involved, please direct your communication accordingly.
Point of contact is Matt Sanchez (mas2178@columbia.edu) or Oscar Escano (oje2001@columbia.edu).
d. MilVets wants portraits and bios, and your military service photos for the website. E-mail your pictures to Zhuo and Oscar. E-mail your bio statement to Oscar.
* Webmaster Zhuo Zheng's image posting instructions: http://milvets.blogspot.com/2005/09/instructions-for-posting-images-in.html
e. Volunteer to host social gatherings. All it takes is giving us a location, day, time, and short description. We can blast it out on the MilVets mailing list.
f. Want law school application advice? Ask MilVets Secretary Julian Petrin (jmp2154@columbia.edu).
g. Columbia MCMAP club. MCMAP = Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. Point of contact is Tyler Harris (th2149@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, comments or concerns, please feel free to e-mail us at exec_vets@columbia.edu.
Eric Chen
Vice President
U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University
MilVets News: 26FEB06.
The weekly Spring 2006 MilVets News is archived at http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/milvets-news-spring-2006.html.
* The answer is yes, MilVets *can* make a difference at Columbia, and yes, we actively support each other.
CONTENTS:
1. Discrimination Policy changed; update on discrimination case.
2. Milvet and Marine Seth Hillbrand leaving for Iraq.
3. MilVets in the news: Garth Stewart and Will Melendez.
4. Sexuality in the Military discussion re-scheduled.
5. Current requests and upcoming events.
_________________________________________________
1. Discrimination Policy changed; update on discrimination case.
a. Columbia University has responded to the MilVets advocacy, led by President Oscar Escano, by amending Columbia University's Discrimination and Harassment Policy. Read the new wording here: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/vpaa/eoaa/docs/student_discrim.html.
See the MilVets press release and original demand here: http://milvetslibrary.blogspot.com/.
Compare the new wording to the old policy:
"DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE
"The University’s Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Procedure is available to enrolled students who feel that they have been harassed and/or discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, religion, creed, national origin, age, alienage and citizenship, status as a perceived or actual victim of domestic violence, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, status as a Vietnam Era or disabled veteran, or any other legally protected status. A copy of the Policy and Procedure is available in FACETS, the University student handbook (http://www.columbia.edu/cu/facets/), and in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, 103 Low Memorial Library; telephone: 212-854-5511.
"Discrimination may occur by 1) treating members of a protected class less favorably because of their membership in that class; 2) having a policy or practice that has a disproportionately adverse impact on protected class members; or 3) harassing members of a protected class. Harassment is defined as the subjection of a person to abusive, threatening or intimidating behavior because of his or her membership in a protected class."
* The policy change is presently under review and debate by the e-board. Please review it and send your feedback to exec_vets@columbia.edu.
b. Ryan Delany, milvet at Harvard University, has created this website in support of MilVets advocacy and Matt Sanchez: http://www.geocities.com/friendsofsanchez/
c. Letter to the Editor from the MilVets E-board in the Tuesday February 21 Columbia Spectator, "Military Veterans Bring Diverse Voices to Columbia Community": http://www.columbiaspectator.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/02/21/43faa5e520f3d?in_archive=1.
d. President Bollinger promised Oscar that anti-military discrimination would be on the agenda for the Student Advisory Committee on Diversity meeting, Thursday February 23, covered by the Columbia Spectator here: http://www.columbiaspectator.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/02/24/43fec29300e17?in_archive=1. There is no indication yet the topic was discussed.
e. If you wish to get involved, remember that the discrimination case is being engaged at two *distinct* levels: 1. Milvet Matt Sanchez's pursuit of redress related to the Activities Day incident -- 2. The Oscar Escano-led petition for university policy and practical reform. Please direct your communication accordingly.
Point of contact is Matt Sanchez (mas2178@columbia.edu) or Oscar Escano (oje2001@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
2. Milvet and Marine Seth Hillbrand leaving for Iraq.
Seth Hillbrand (snh2103@columbia.edu) is taking a leave of absence from his studies as a Post-Bacc in General Studies in order to deploy to Iraq with I MEF. Seth leaves NYC on Thursday March 9. Wish him luck and safety. Fellow Marine Matt Sanchez (mas2178@columbia.edu) is organizing a suitable send-off. Contact Matt is you'd like to sign Seth's good luck banner and/or if you'd like to help organize an old-fashioned '(hail and) farewell' in Seth's honor.
Point of contact is Matt Sanchez (mas2178@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
3. MilVets in the news: Garth Stewart and Will Melendez.
a. Milvet Garth Stewart is the subject of "From Combat to Columbia" by Matt Mireles in the Monday, February 20, 2006 Columbia Spectator: http://www.columbiaspectator.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/02/20/43f978aa34ddc?in_archive=1. * Check out the multimedia slideshow.
Reaction by Barnard student Rebecca Cooper in her Letter to the Editor to the Columbia Spectator, "Profile Wrongfully Casts One Veteran as the Voice for All": http://www.columbiaspectator.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/02/23/43fd4ee6168db?in_archive=1.
b. Milvet Will Melendez is cited in the Wednesday, February 22, 2006 Columbia Spectator coverage of President Bollinger's Tuesday fireside chat with students. Will raised the point of anti-military discrimination on campus. The link is not available on-line; the Spectator has been contacted.
_______________________________________________
4. Sexuality in the Military discussion re-scheduled.
The Sexuality in the Military discussion, originally scheduled for Thursday, March 2 has been postponed TBA. 1st week of April has been proposed. The reason is the extra time needed to coordinate properly with Columbia offices such as the University Chaplain, student groups and appropriate academics.
Point of contact is Luke Stalcup (ls2367@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
5. Current requests and upcoming events.
a. Week of 2/27:
* Spring 2006 schedule of events:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/spring-2006-schedule-of-events.html
b. MilVets needs Iraq and Afghanistan vets to speak about their war experiences at Through the Eyes of a Soldier IV, tentatively scheduled for Mar 24. Point of contact is Todd Murphy (murphytj@gmail.com).
c. MilVets wants portraits and bios, and your military service photos. E-mail your pictures to Zhuo and Oscar. E-mail your bio statement to Oscar.
* Webmaster Zhuo Zheng's image posting instructions: http://milvets.blogspot.com/2005/09/instructions-for-posting-images-in.html
d. Volunteer to host social gatherings. All it takes is giving us a location, day, time, and short description. We can blast it out on the MilVets mailing list.
e. Want law school application advice? Ask MilVets Secretary Julian Petrin (jmp2154@columbia.edu).
f. Columbia MCMAP club. MCMAP = Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. Point of contact is Tyler Harris (th2149@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, comments or concerns, please feel free to e-mail us at exec_vets@columbia.edu.
Eric Chen
Vice President
U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University
MilVets News: 19FEB06.
The weekly Spring 2006 MilVets News is archived at http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/milvets-news-spring-2006.html.
CONTENTS:
1. Heads-up: Garth Stewart featured in Mon 2/20 Spectator.
2. Invitation to ROTC commissioning in Low Library on Fri 5/19.
3. Invitation to NYC USMC Association event (drinks!) on Fri 2/24.
4. Update on discrimination case with MilVets response.
5. Sexuality in Military discussion at Noon on Thur 3/2.
6. News tips: Gentler Basic Training and Marines in the Phillipines.
7. Current requests and upcoming events.
_________________________________________________
1. Heads-up: Garth Stewart featured in Mon 2/20 Spectator.
Milvet Garth Stewart, who served with 3ID in Iraq, will be featured in the Monday Feb 20 Columbia Spectator.
The author, Matt Mireles (mpm2113@columbia.edu) describes it: "In the article, Garth goes in depth about how his platoon had 500+ confirmed kills and how proud he is of that. And yes, we'll have the audio on the web along with some rather graphic photos from Iraq that he let us use."
_________________________________________________
2. Invitation to ROTC commissioning in Low Library on Fri 5/19.
* Columbia senior and Air Force ROTC cadet Bob Wray is pleased to invite milvets and fellow members of the extended Columbia military family to his commissioning ceremony in Low Rotunda. People, this is a highly historic event.
Bob says, "It will be formal, class A's or business attire, in Low Rotunda. It will be at 5 PM on Friday, May 19. President Bollinger is expected to attend and it will be for me and 10 of my fellow cadets from other schools. It will take about 75 minutes and I'm trying to have a decent reception afterwards."
Point of contact is Bob Wray (row2004@columbia.edu).
_______________________________________________
3. Invitation to NYC USMC Association event (drinks!) on Fri 2/24.
I came across a former marine the other day. He is actually the president of some New York Marine Associations. His name is Alexander Pas, and he invited me to go to their association’s event at the Sardi’s (http://www.sardis.com/htmldocs/cms/). Address is 234 around 7th Ave and 44th St. He said any marine supporters (so not just marines or former marines) could go. I think this might be a good thing for milvets to know. It’s on 2/24/06 Friday, 7:30pm, 2nd floor Sardi’s; he said there’s a bar there.
Sincerely,
Zhuo Zheng
Point of contact is Zhuo Zheng (zz2110@columbia.edu).
_______________________________________________
4. Update on discrimination case with MilVets response.
"ROTC and the Ivory Tower: Cease Fire" by Adam Weinstein, Columbia Spectator Opinion, 2/13/06. Find the link at http://milvetslibrary.blogspot.com/.
The MilVets response to Adam's article, submitted to the Spectator as a Letter to the Editor on Sunday Feb 19:
We welcome Adam Weinstein's February 13th Column “ROTC and the Ivory Tower: Cease Fire” criticizing the University for establishing a barrier between itself and this nation's military. Mr. Weinstein is a perfect example of the breadth of diversity that exists in U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University (MilVets) and he demonstrates the foolishness of any assertion that all of Columbia’s student-veterans are aligned with conservative groups, pro-ROTC groups, or pro-war groups. MilVets is an apolitical, nonpartisan organization with no ideology or intent other than to ensure a safe place for veterans to contribute to intellectual discourse. Indeed, for MilVets to align itself with any political position would not accurately represent our membership.
MilVets began advocating publicly when it came to the attention of the group that one of our members had been treated inappropriately and that the university’s response was lacking. Our request that the university amend its discrimination policy represents our effort to have the administration confirm that Columbia is not a place for bigotry of any kind. This is not an endorsement of anything: it is a denouncement of prejudice.
We will continue to do as we have done since our founding. We will present forums, discussions, and events of all kinds where we can add our military experience to the intellectual environment here on campus. It is our fervent desire that people recognize the value in that experience and come join our discussions. As military men and women enter academia during or after their service to this nation, they bring back many experiences colored by their own diverse opinions. Our collective knowledge is rapidly being enhanced by the intellectual input of these current and former servicemen and servicewomen. We sincerely hope that Columbia will acknowledge what veterans and other military students have to offer, not with yellow ribbons and empty rhetoric, but merely by welcoming us with tolerance and acceptance.
* If you wish to get involved, remember that the discrimination case is being engaged at two distinct levels: 1. Milvet Matt Sanchez's pursuit of redress related to the Activities Day incident -- 2. The Oscar Escano-led petition for university policy and practical reform. Please direct your communication accordingly.
Point of contact is Matt Sanchez (mas2178@columbia.edu) or Oscar Escano (oje2001@columbia.edu).
_______________________________________________
5. Sexuality in Military discussion at Noon on Thur 3/2.
'Lunch-time' event is in Earl Hall at noon on Thurs March 2nd.
Point of contact is Luke Stalcup (ls2367@columbia.edu).
_______________________________________________
6. News tips: Gentler Basic Training and Marines in the Phillipines.
1. Tip from milvet Scott Stewart (dss2112@columbia.edu): "To Keep Recruits, Boot Camp Gets A Gentle Revamp"
By Greg Jaffe, The Wall Street Journal, posted February 16, 2006.
http://www.johnbatchelorshow.com/article.cfm?id=2820&start=1
Excerpt: New recruits used to be welcomed to boot camp here with the "shark attack." For decades, drill sergeants in wide-brim hats would swarm around the fresh-off-the-bus privates, shouting orders. Some rattled recruits would make mistakes. A few would cry. Today, the Army is opting for a quieter approach.
2. Tip from milvet Matt Sanchez (mas2178@columbia.edu): "U.S. Marines Join Search for Landslide Survivors" By Carlos H. Conde, The New York Times, published February 19, 2006.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/19/international/asia/19cnd-filip.html?ex=1141016400&en=426c922cd2b6ad0e&ei=5070&emc=eta1
Excerpt: GUINSAUGON, Philippines, Feb. 19 — Dozens of American marines began assisting today in the search for survivors from last week's deadly landslide in the eastern Philippines, digging through the mud in the late afternoon and building roads throughout the evening.
_________________________________________________
7. Current requests and upcoming events.
a. Week of 2/20:
* Spring 2006 schedule of events:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/spring-2006-schedule-of-events.html
b. MilVets needs Iraq and Afghanistan vets to speak about their war experiences at Through the Eyes of a Soldier IV, tentatively scheduled for Mar 24. Point of contact is Todd Murphy (murphytj@gmail.com).
c. MilVets wants portraits and bios, and your military service photos. E-mail your pictures to Zhuo and Oscar. E-mail your bio statement to Oscar.
* Webmaster Zhuo Zheng's image posting instructions: http://milvets.blogspot.com/2005/09/instructions-for-posting-images-in.html
d. Volunteer to host social gatherings. All it takes is giving us a location, day, time, and short description. We can blast it out on the MilVets mailing list.
e. Recently returned from duty in Iraq or Afghanistan and would like to be featured on MTV? Contact ReturningFromDuty@mtvstaff.com.
f. Want law school application advice? Ask MilVets Secretary Julian Petrin (jmp2154@columbia.edu).
g. Columbia MCMAP club. MCMAP = Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. Point of contact is Tyler Harris (th2149@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, comments or concerns, please send them to us.
Eric Chen
Vice President
U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University
MilVets News: 12FEB06.
The weekly Spring 2006 MilVets News is archived at http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/milvets-news-spring-2006.html.
CONTENTS:
1. View final official MilVets Logo.
2. Highlights from executive body meeting.
3. Update on discrimination case (and see attached).
4. MilVets Social Hour on Wednesday.
5. Casting call for Through the Eyes of a Soldier IV Town Hall.
6. TIP: New York Military Affairs Symposium.
7. Current requests and upcoming events.
_________________________________________________
1. View final official MilVets Logo.
Final design approved unanimously by the executive body on Friday. View the official MilVets Logo, with explanation of symbolism, here:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/02/milvets-logo-and-symbolism.html.
* The next step is to have a club banner made. There is a good chance member donations will be needed to pay for the banner in time to deploy for March events.
Point of contact is Mike Nicholas (mdn2106@columbia.edu).
_______________________________________________
2. Highlights from executive body meeting.
Post-grad debriefing. Tentatively scheduled for Friday March 31st at Will Melendez's place. MilVets grads will be guests of honor. Possible speaker from HireVetsFirst (a Dept of Labor division) to discuss best ways to leverage military experience in civilian professional world. POC: Oscar Escano (oje2001@columbia.edu).
The MilVets/LGBT dialogue has been reconceived as a Sexuality in the Military discussion. Tentatively scheduled for Friday March 2nd with a back-up date of Thursday March 30th. POC: Luke Stalcup (ls2367@columbia.edu).
Alumni networking. Current initiatives include outreach to area officer training programs for Columbia graduate contacts and adding a MilVets blurb to the GS alumni newsletter targeting pre-MilVets milvets. POC: Oscar Escano (oje2001@columbia.edu).
Through the Eyes of a Soldier IV. Tentatively scheduled for Friday March 24th. The theme will be OEF and OIF veterans discussing their war experiences. A secondary theme may be the meaning of military service in our generation. POC: Todd Murphy (tjm2122@columbia.edu).
Independent film about MilVets? Oscar met someone at the Lion's Head Tavern who may be interested in making a movie about us. POC: Oscar Escano (oje2001@columbia.edu).
Point of contact is Julian Petrin (jmp2154@columbia.edu).
_______________________________________________
3. Update on discrimination case (and see attached).
Attached is a transcript of Oscar and Matt's appearance on Fox News' Fox and Friends First last Friday (2/3). Oscar is also in possession of a DVD recording of the interview. It's 4 minutes long.
For updated print media coverage, go to http://milvetslibrary.blogspot.com/. New coverage includes the Feb 9 Spectator news story, "Sanchez Lodges Protest". Added are links to the relevant passages in Columbia University's Discrimination and Harassment Policy that contain "Vietnam War era and disabled veterans".
At present, Columbia University seems unwilling to amend the Discrimination and Harassment Policy as we requested. On Thursday Feb 23, the Diversity Committee will meet, administrators only; President Bollinger has informed Oscar that anti-military discrimination is on their agenda. There are rumors that Harvard milvets are organizing to protest Columbia's treatment of Matt Sanchez.
If you wish to get involved, remember that the discrimination case is being engaged at two distinct levels: 1. Milvet Matt Sanchez's pursuit of redress related to the Activities Day incident -- 2. The Oscar Escano-led petition for university policy and practical reform. Please direct your communication accordingly.
Point of contact is Matt Sanchez (mas2178@columbia.edu) or Oscar Escano (oje2001@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
4. MilVets Social Hour on Wednesday.
MilVets Social Hour! 8:00 pm Wednesday, Feb. 15 at Lion's Head Tavern, located 995 Amsterdam Ave (109th St).
Grab a pint and share some sea stories. This one is for those people who can never make Thursday events. Get to know your fellow veterans in our natural habitat.
Point of contact is Todd Murphy (tjm2122@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
5. Casting call for Through the Eyes of a Soldier IV Town Hall.
Attention Iraq/Afghanistan Vets!
The next of the successful "Through the Eyes of a Soldier" panels will be addressing the experiences of the Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns. We hope to give the campus the opportunity to learn from your experiences, and open lines of dialogue within the student community. If you were over there and would like to take part in the panel, please email Todd Murphy at murphytj@gmail.com or exec_vets@columbia.edu.
_________________________________________________
6. TIP: New York Military Affairs Symposium.
Member James MacDonald highly recommends the Friday lectures at the New York Military Affairs Symposium.
Check it out: www.nymas.org.
Point of contact is James MacDonald (jm1311@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
7. Current requests and upcoming events.
a. Week of 2/13: Wed 2/15 - MilVets Social Hour.
* Spring 2006 schedule of events:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/spring-2006-schedule-of-events.html
b. Want law school application advice? Ask MilVets Secretary Julian Petrin (jmp2154@columbia.edu).
c. MilVets wants portraits and bios, and your military service photos for the website. E-mail your pictures to Zhuo and Oscar. E-mail your bio statement to Oscar.
* Webmaster Zhuo Zheng's image posting instructions: http://milvets.blogspot.com/2005/09/instructions-for-posting-images-in.html
d. Volunteer to host social gatherings. All it takes is giving us a location, day, time, and short description. We can blast it out on the MilVets mailing list.
e. Recently returned from duty in Iraq or Afghanistan and would like to be featured on MTV? Contact ReturningFromDuty@mtvstaff.com.
f. "Elliot, A Soldier's Fugue" will end its run on Sunday 2/19. For information, go to www.p73.org.
g. Columbia MCMAP club. MCMAP = Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. Point of contact is Tyler Harris (th2149@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, comments or concerns, please send them to us.
Eric Chen
Vice President
U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSCRIPT
CHANNEL: FOX NEWS. PROGRAM: FOX AND FRIENDS FIRST. AIR DATE: 03FEB06.
Female anchor: And some of our troops are having trouble on campus.
We'll tell you why they're not at home at an ivy league university. We'll
be right back.
Male anchor: That's not right.
COMMERCIALS.
UPDATE about Egyptian ferry sinking.
** START 0623 hrs.
Host (Peter J. Johnson, Jr): Thanks, Allison. Allegations of
anti-military discrimination are being raised at Columbia University, just uptown
nearby in Manhattan. With me to explain are Oscar Escano and Matt
Sanchez. Both are members of the US Military Veterans of Columbia University
organization. Good morning, guys. How are you?
Matt, Oscar: Good morning, sir ... good morning.
Host: Who is the President of the organization?
Oscar: I am.
Host: Okay. Oscar, tell me what's going on at Columbia?
Oscar: Well, what we feel is going on is there is a sentiment of sort
of an anti-military, basically an intolerance of veterans and military
persons, and we'd like to see that changed.
Host: Tell me about you. Are you a military veteran?
Oscar: Yes, sir.
Host: And what's your experience in the military?
Oscar: I served in the US Army in the First Ranger Battalion, from 1999
to 2002, and I fought in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Host: Thank you. And Matt Sanchez, you're a General Studies student at
Columbia as well? And you're a Marine reservist?
Matt: Marine reservist.
Host: And you've been activated in the past.
Matt: Yes.
Host: Thank you for your service. What's going on at Columbia and what
have you experienced?
Matt: What I experienced personally during Activities Day, a Columbia
sponsored event, a group came over to us and they were protesting. I was
by a table and one of the things this group continues to say is that
minorities are being exploited by the military. I told the gentleman who
was screaming and shouting that I'm a minority and I joined the
military. I did so willingly and proudly. And he said, that's because you're
too stupid to understand that you're being exploited. My response to
that was to file a complaint with the administration.
Host: Well, that was a good disciplined response . . .
Matt: I kept my military bearing.
Host: ... well, I'm sure you were angry. Is the administration
facilitating this kind of conduct? Is this the conduct of just a few people? I
went to Columbia. I went to Columbia Law School. It's a great
institution. I think you guys would both agree . . .
Matt: Absolutely.
Host: . . . that it is. It has a history of embracing the military back
to World War Two. I mean, General Eisenhower became its president.
What's going on do you think?
Matt: Well, sometime around I guess the Vietnam era, 68, things changed
and became very radicalized. But today, certain people feel its okay to
pick on members who are veterans at Columbia in order to protest the
war or politics.
Host: Well, let me tell you what Columbia says about these charges.
They say, "We value the contributions that our students who serve or have
served in the military make to our diverse intellectual community, and
we are committed to ensure that these students are treated with the
same courtesy and respect that all of our students deserve. Indeed, the
men and women who serve our country in uniform deserve our utmost
admiration and support". Now, does that satisfy you guys?
Oscar: Well, I remain cautiously optimistic that the university will
stand to its commitment to tolerance of all people. We're very familiar
with the university's tolerance towards racial, ethnic, religious and
other cultural groups. I'd like to see if they can actually walk the walk
and extend that same tolerance to military service men and women.
Host: Matt, Oscar, each tell me one thing that Columbia can do today to
make it better for our military men and women who are studying at
Columbia, our veterans, or people who are going to go into the service at
Columbia.
Oscar: I can tell you two things, Peter. The first thing is that
Columbia needs to alter or rather amend its Discrimination and Harassment
Policy, because right now it . . .
Host: We're running out of time. What do you say?
Matt: I say when an event like this happens, they should immediately
make a statement, at least something denouncing this kind of behavior.
Host: Okay. Thank you both, and thank you for your service.
Oscar: Thank you.
** END 0627 hrs.
Transcribed by Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu). 11FEB06.
MilVets News: 05FEB06.
Point of Contact: Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu)
* Happy Superbowl Sunday! (Superbowl Sunday qualifies as a religious holiday in the US Military. )
CONTENTS:
1. Columbia MilVets/LGBT forum *NEW*.
2. Update on discrimination case.
3. MTV's "True Life" seeks 18-28 y/o veterans.
4. Oscar's review of "Elliott, A Soldier's Fugue".
5. MCMAP instructor needed for new club.
6. General updates.
7. Current requests and upcoming events.
8. Bonus. "Fraternity", from the VP Statement of Goals.
_________________________________________________
1. Columbia MilVets/LGBT forum *NEW*.
The MilVets executive body (e-board + council) has voted to sponsor the members proposal for a public discussion between Columbia milvets and Columbia's LGBT community. University Chaplain Jewelnel Davis (chaplain@columbia.edu) is co-sponsoring. Participants, location, date and time are TBD. Councilmember Luke Stalcup (ls2367@columbia.edu) is executive lead.
Points of contact are Luke Stalcup (ls2367@columbia.edu) and Matt Sanchez (mas2178@columbia.edu).
_______________________________________________
2. Update on discrimination case.
This past week, media coverage included the Columbia Spectator, the New York Sun and Fox and Friends (Matt, Oscar). We are in the process of making a DVD hardcopy and transcript of the Friday morning Fox and Friends interview. Oscar Escano led a select delegation of milvets, drawn from throughout the university, and sat down with Provost Alan Brinkley at his residence - Oscar's report pending.
Updated links for text media coverage are at http://milvetslibrary.blogspot.com.
* If you wish to get involved, keep in mind that the discrimination case is being engaged at two distinct levels: 1. Milvet Matt Sanchez's pursuit of redress related to the Activities Day incident -- 2. The Oscar Escano-led petition for university policy and practical reform. Please direct your communication accordingly.
Points of contact are Matt Sanchez (mas2178@columbia.edu) Oscar Escano (oje2001@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
3. MTV's "True Life" seeks 18-28 y/o veterans.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The message below was passed on by our own Mike Budabin, whose brother knows the TV exec who is working on the piece. If you decide to participate, please let us know so we can see it when it comes out! Please note that they are looking for both soldiers who are about to ETS as well as vets who have recently gotten out.
Best,
Oscar
Distro: Confirmed and Pending QMS MilVets (Count: 46)
-------------------------------------------
MTV'S TRUE LIFE: I'm Re-Entering Civilian Life
Every month soldiers are returning home from their tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and re-entering civilian life. Are you a soldier or do you know a soldier who is about to exchange fatigues for work clothes? Are you concerned that it will be hard to reconnect with loved ones and children who have no understanding of what you experienced overseas? Are you worried that it might be tough to find a job or get into college? Are you afraid that you'll feel guilty that you've returned home while others you love are still fighting?
If so, we want to hear your story about moving home from a war zone. If you appear to be 18-28 years old and are open to sharing the ups and downs of your re-entry into civilian life, please email us at ReturningFromDuty@mtvstaff.com. Please remember to send us your name, address, phone number and expected date of return.
Point of contact is Mike Budabin (mab2107@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
4. Oscar's review of "Elliott, A Soldier's Fugue".
Here's what I have to say about "Elliot, A Soldier's Fugue":
My girlfriend and I enjoyed this off-off-Broadway play. "Elliot, A Soldier's Fugue" touches on the military experiences of three generations of Marines. The characters are so similar yet war affected each one differently. The stoic Korean war vet who watched his hands go purple from the bitter cold; the sullen Vietnam vet who came back a distant, conflicted man; the cocky Iraq war vet who dreamt in green after using night vision goggles for so long. Each son struggled to understand war through his ather's eyes but then found himself seeing it through his own. The camaraderie and shared experience pulled them together but the scars of combat pushed them apart at the same time. Very well-done. -- Oscar (oje2001@columbia.edu)
Info: Playing January 28 - February 19, 2006
45 Below at The Culture Project (45 Bleecker Street at Lafayette Street, New York, NY). Wed @ 8 PM, Thurs @ 8 PM, Fri @ 8 PM, Sat @ 8 PM & Sun @ 8 PM.
There will be no performance on Sun, Feb 5. Regular Discounts: $15 tickets. Discounted Tickets: $10 tickets on 1/29, 2/3, 2/8 & 2/12 with Discount Code VFP73TB. www.p73.org
Point of contact is Oscar Escano (oje2001@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
5. MCMAP instructor needed for new club.
MCMAP = Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. Tyler Harris is lead. MilVets is searching for Marines or former Marines who qualify as MCMAP instructors for the new Columbia MCMAP club. They aren't required to attend Columbia. Know someone who may fit the description? Please contact Tyler. Also contact Tyler if you're interesting in joining the MCMAP club.
Point of contact is Tyler Harris (th2149@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
6. General updates.
a. The Post-grad Debriefing, originally scheduled for Mon Feb 13 in Lerner Broadway Gameroom, is rescheduled TBD. In addition to inviting recent MilVets grads, Oscar is asking HireVetsFirst (www.HireVetsFirst.gov) for a subject matter expert who can provide guidance on how best to leverage enlisted or commissioned military experience in the civilian professional world.
b. MilVets Logo. Thanks are due to councilmember Mike Nicholas (mdn2106@columbia.edu) for his work refining the new MilVets logo. Final selection is scheduled later this week at the executive body meeting.
c. The MilVets News is now distributed using BCC to help prevent accidental reply-all's to the general body. Contacting the executive body (exec_vets@columbia.edu) is still encouraged.
Point of contact is Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
7. Current requests and upcoming events.
a. Week of 2/6: Weekend TBD - executive body meeting.
* Spring 2006 schedule of events:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/spring-2006-schedule-of-events.html
b. Want law school application advice? Ask MilVets Secretary Julian Petrin (jmp2154@columbia.edu).
c. MilVets wants portraits and bios, and your military service photos for the website. E-mail your pictures to Zhuo and Oscar. E-mail your bio statement to Oscar.
* Webmaster Zhuo Zheng's image posting instructions: http://milvets.blogspot.com/2005/09/instructions-for-posting-images-in.html
d. Volunteer to host social gatherings. Socializing is the cornerstone of our group. Thanks to Matt Sanchez for the get-together at Nacho Mama's 2 weeks ago and Tyler Harris, with Julia Oh, for the BYOB Movie Night at Julia's place last week. All it takes is giving us a location, day, time, and short description. We can blast it out on the MilVets mailing list.
_________________________________________________
8. Bonus. "Fraternity", from the VP Statement of Goals.
Excerpted from the 05-06 VP Statement of Goals (http://milvets.blogspot.com/2005/10/2005-2006-vp-statement-of-goals.html):
Fraternity. Question: Name one totally self-interested reason to personally invest into MilVets right now. Answer: MilVets as fraternity.
A reason to attend an incredibly expensive “elite” university like Columbia is to establish functional relations, with “elite” classmates, which benefit us professionally and socially throughout our lives. MilVets certainly isn’t the only avenue for student-veterans to network at Columbia, but it is an under-appreciated one. We share positive and negative common bonds. Rare within our generation, we share the transformative experience of military service, made more poignant by our increasing number of war veterans. Most of us commute. Most of us don’t join sports teams or fraternities. Most of us are significantly older than our classmates, some of us are even married, and many (but not all) of us struggle to form functional fraternal bonds with our younger classmates. In short, we are our own natural networking resource.
Keep in mind that we aren’t only veterans. We aren’t only student-veterans. We are Columbia student-veterans, and we are elite. For MilVets to function as a fraternity, we need to add the necessary working conditions so that by working together, we can get to know each other, judge each other and impress each other. As we grow to trust each other on a functional and quasi-professional level, we will thereby develop our base of collegiate fraternal relations. We can draw upon this professional and social pool throughout our lives -- just like other college students do. In other words, if you fail to impress me today when we are Columbia milvets together, chances are you won’t be on my short list when I fill out a professional team 10 years from now. Chances are, I won’t be on your short list either . . . and what a loss that would be. ;-)
Point of contact is Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
Spring 2006 MilVets News is archived at http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/milvets-news-spring-2006.html.
As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, comments or concerns, please send them to us.
Eric Chen
Vice President
U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University
MilVets News: 29JAN06.
Point of Contact: Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu)
* Much news to report this week. It was an excellent general body meeting on Friday. It's going to be a fun semester. (English to Military: Fun (adj.) = Labor-intensive; also see GI Party (n.)).
CONTENTS:
1. Notes from General Membership Meeting.
2. General Council elected.
3. MilVets logo approved.
4. BYOB Movie Night this Thursday: “This time it’s war!”.
5. Milvets forming MCMAP Club.
6. Julian Petrin offers Law School advice.
7. Update on anti-military discrimination case.
8. Wanted: portraits and bios, and service photos for MilVets website.
9. Current requests and upcoming events.
_________________________________________________
1. Notes from General Membership Meeting.
* Good chow. Good company. Good discussion. New faces. Read the minutes and agenda, and contact us if you wish to discuss anything in greater depth.
Minutes and agenda from 27JAN06 General Membership Meeting:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/minutes-and-agenda-from-27jan06.html
Point of contact is Julian Petrin (jmp2154@columbia.edu).
_______________________________________________
2. General Council elected.
Executive Board:
President: Oscar Escano (GS, Army)
E-mail: oje2001@columbia.edu
Vice President: Eric Chen (GS, Army)
E-mail: elc2003@columbia.edu
Secretary: Julian Petrin (Law, Army)
E-mail: jmp2154@columbia.edu
Webmaster: Zhuo Zheng (GS, USMC)
E-mail: zz2110@columbia.edu
General Council:
Todd Murphy (GS, USMC)
E-mail: tjm2122@columbia.edu
Mike Podberesky (Law, Navy)
E-mail: mjp2131@columbia.edu
Luke Stalcup (GS, Army)
E-mail: ls2367@columbia.edu
Mike Nicholas (GS, Army)
E-mail: mdn2106@columbia.edu
* Councilmembers participate in executive creativity, decision-making, planning and execution. However, participation by all milvets remains welcome and necessary; the future of our Columbia community depends on a total team effort.
Point of contact is Oscar Escano (oje2001@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
3. MilVets logo approved.
See the logo and read the proposal, with symbolism, here:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/milvets-logo-proposal_28.html
See the original olive wreath on Low Plaza:
http://learning-curve.blogspot.com/2005/07/happy-independence-day.html
* Final details (colors, size ratios, etc.) are still under discussion. The logo is purposely designed with a unifying common thread while remaining open to multiple interpretations. This is necessary given the tremendous diversity of our membership and within our unique transitions as Columbia student-veterans. I will, however, emphasize one point as the logo's creator. The olive wreath, such as the olive wreath used in the UN logo, traditionally symbolizes Peace and civilized society. It carries that symbolic meaning in our logo as well. However, the warrior-defender may understand Peace, and his role in it, a little differently than other people. The olive wreath used in the MilVets logo frames the motto 'Love Cherish Defend It' under the American flag on Low Plaza.
Point of contact is Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
4. BYOB Movie Night this Thursday: “This time it’s war!”
This Thursday, February 2nd at 8:30 pm. MilVets BYOB/BYOF Movie Night. Tyler Harris hosting.
Feature: ALIENS Special Edition (1986/1991) (aka. Alien II)
Location: CPT Julia Oh’s Apartment; 137 Central Park North (W. 110th), Apartment 1A. (Across the street from the approx midpoint of the north border of Central Park)
Details: BYOB, Food & comfortable folding chairs if you have them.
Read Tyler's informative Description, Interesting Notes and Movie Synopsis here:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2005/09/milvets-movie-night.html
EXCERPT: “Al Matthews, who plays a Marine Sergeant in this film, was in real life the first black Marine to be promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the field during service in Vietnam”.
Point of contact is Tyler Harris (th2149@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
5. Milvets forming MCMAP Club.
MCMAP = Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
Tyler Harris is lead. He needs 10 volunteers in order to apply for official club status at the Fitness Center. Contact Tyler if you're interested. Read about MCMAP here:
http://www.military.com/forums/0,15240,84420,00.html
Point of contact is Tyler Harris (th2149@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
6. Julian Petrin offers Law School advice.
Julian Petrin, MilVets Secretary and 1st year Columbia Law student, has offered to help Pre-Law MilVets prepare for law school. Julian scored in the 99% percentile on the LSAT and worked in undergraduate admissions at West Point. She knows what you need to craft a strong law school application! Julian is available to give advice about your personal statement, LSAT prep, choosing schools, etc. Just another example of milvets helping milvets!
Point of contact is Julian Petrin (jmp2154@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
7. Update on anti-military discrimination case.
Read the MilVets press release -slash- statement of demands, with links to Spectator coverage: http://milvetslibrary.blogspot.com/2006/01/press-release-anti-military.html
* The ISO continues to target Matt Sanchez, and we continue to support Matt in his pursuit of fair redress from the administration. The Columbia administration's failure to protect Matt is a failure to protect us all. As early as next week, Oscar will lead a delegation of milvets and other military-related students in an 'informal' meeting with senior administrators, such as General Counsel Liz Keefer, GS Dean McGee and Provost Alan Brinkley, to discuss our demands and anti-military discrimination at Columbia. On February 23, President Bollinger will formally discuss this issue with Columbia's Diversity Committee.
Points of contact are Matt Sanchez (mas2178@columbia.edu) and Oscar Escano (oje2001@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
8. Wanted: portraits and bios, and service photos for MilVets website.
* E-mail images to Zhuo and Oscar. E-mail your bio statement to Oscar.
Webmaster Zhuo Zheng's image posting instructions:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2005/09/instructions-for-posting-images-in.html
Portraits and biography statements wanted for the MilVets members listing: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/usmilvetscu/Current%20Members.htm
Sample biography statement: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/usmilvetscu/__Bios/bioChenEric.htm
The MilVets service photo gallery: http://community.webshots.com/album/457926620BeODYO
Points of contact are Zhuo Zheng (zz2110@columbia.edu) and Oscar Escano (oje2001@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
9. Current requests and upcoming events.
a. Week of 01/30: Thurs 2/2 - BYOB/BYOF Movie Night.
* Spring 2006 schedule of events:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/spring-2006-schedule-of-events.html
b.
c.
_________________________________________________
Spring 2006 MilVets News is archived at http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/milvets-news-spring-2006.html.
As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, comments or concerns, please send them to us.
Eric Chen
Vice President
U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University
MilVets News: 29JAN06. *Addendum*
Add. West Point versus Columbia this Wed.
Where and when: Blue Gym, Dodge Fitness Center, 7 pm, Wednesday Feb 1.
The Columbia Wrestling Team schedule:
http://gocolumbialions.collegesports.com/sports/m-wrestl/sched/colm-m-wrestl-sched.html
* Matt Sanchez provides the tip for fans of the Black and Gold and for those milvets who particularly enjoy cheering against Army (Mike P? ;-) ).
Point of contact is Matt Sanchez (mas2178@columbia.edu).
MilVets News: 22JAN06.
Point of Contact: Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu)
* Thanks to Matt Sanchez for the good old fashioned MilVets get-together of Columbia soldiers, marines (, sailors?) and airmen at Nacho Mama's last Thursday.
CONTENTS:
1. Reminder: General body meeting on Friday.
2. Update on Activities Day incident.
3. Clarification on general body messaging policy.
4. Michael Yon endorses Operation Iraqi Children.
5. SIWPS event on Tuesday: "Faith and Foxholes: Spiritual Strength, Religious Faith and Military Service".
6. Theater notice: "Elliot, A Soldier's Fugue".
7. Fox News request about Professor De Genova.
8. About-us history: GI Bill.
9. Current requests and upcoming events.
_________________________________________________
1. Reminder: General body meeting on Friday.
* Where and when: Lerner Ramp Lounge East, 7 pm, Friday Jan. 27.
Refreshments served. Expect a detailed agenda later this week. Topics will include the new General Council (open to QMS), the logo proposal, MilVets action on the Activities Day incident, and more.
The executive board is scheduled to meet in Lerner 503, 6 pm, Thursday Jan 26.
Point of contact is Oscar Escano (oje2001@columbia.edu).
_______________________________________________
2. Update on Activities Day incident.
Columbia Spectator Opinion 1/18: "Veterans Deserve Better" by Chris Kulawik.
http://www.columbiaspectator.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/01/18/43cddbba8fbe3?in_archive=1
Columbia Spectator Letter to the Editor 1/19: Jonah Birch. http://www.columbiaspectator.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/01/19/43cf5687ef5f8?in_archive=1
The milvet is Matt Sanchez (mas2178@columbia.edu). The issues are the hate incident itself and the university's response to it. Look for a Spectator news story about the incident early this week, probably on Monday. In addition, MilVets is addressing the administration on the issue of the university policy (or lack thereof) regarding campus anti-military bias.
Points of contact are Matt Sanchez (mas2178@columbia.edu) and Oscar Escano (oje2001@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
3. Clarification on general body messaging policy.
If you have a reasonable message intended for the general body, we ask that you send it to us for inclusion in the weekly MilVets News. Cut-off is 11 pm Saturday; after 2300 hrs on Saturday, your message can still be included in the News, but you're taking your chances. General body messages outside of the MilVets News and event announcements (see Communications SOP) must be approved by the MilVets President. The policy intent is to maintain a regular and accessible information flow to members while guarding against abuse and frivolent use of the general body messaging function.
Point of contact is Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
4. Michael Yon endorses Operation Iraqi Children.
Michael Yon is a former SF soldier who reports independently on Operation Iraqi Freedom; his report and endorsement of Operation Iraqi Children:
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/operation-iraqi-children-a-bright-shining-hope.htm
* We chose OIC as a MilVets campus project this semester because it supports our deployed brethren, it helps them help the Iraqi people (kids!), and it highlights the softer 'face' of our military, that we know but too many of our classmates do not. Just as important, unlike other aid organizations, OIC from all accounts is proven and effective. Planning for OIC at CU is on-going; set-up will be in March; execution will be throughout April. Volunteers? We'll need bodies on this one.
Point of contact is Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
5. The Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies presents: “Faith and Foxholes: Spiritual Strength, Religious Faith and Military Service”.
*** Event information is forwarded from Columbia Sociology Professor Allan Silver (as35@columbia.edu). ***
Mark your 2006 calendar ...
The Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies presents: “Faith and Foxholes: Spiritual Strength, Religious Faith and Military Service”
A talk by Rabbi Arnold E. Resnicoff
Tuesday, January 24, 2006 4:00 – 6:00 pm
1512, 15th Floor
School of International and Public Affairs
Columbia University
420 W. 118th St.
New York, NY 10027
Rabbi Arnold E. Resnicoff is Special Assistant for Values and Vision to the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force. He was National Director of Interreligious Affairs for the American Jewish Committee, Navy officer in Vietnam, and Naval Intelligence officer in Europe, followed by 25 years as a chaplain. Rabbi Resnicoff was present in Beirut during the 1983 truck bomb attack. His report was read by President Reagan as a major convention keynote address. Rabbi Resnicoff is one of a small number of Vietnam veterans who worked to create the "Wall," and delivered the closing prayer at its dedication. He has taught ethics, values, and vision at locations including the Naval War College and Camp David.
* You may remember Professor Silver as a faculty supporter of ROTC at Columbia: http://advocatesforrotc.org/columbia/SilverApril2005.html
_________________________________________________
6. Theater notice: "Elliot, A Soldier's Fugue".
From: AsherMar@aol.com
Subject: Re: ELLIOT, A SOLDIER'S FUGUE - MilVets
To: oje2001@columbia.edu
Oscar,
Thank you for getting back to me. It would be great if you could send the email below to your members; the information regarding the discount code and the link to our website is in the email. Thanks again.
I'm happy to offer you a pair of free complimentary tickets for either the performance on 1/28 or 1/29. Let me know if you would like to see the show on either date.
Kind regards,
Asher
_________________________________________________________
A New Play by Quiara AlegrÃa Hudes
Directed by Davis McCallum
At 18, Lance Corporal Elliot Ortiz crossed over into Iraq. At 19, he received the Purple Heart. Now, back from active duty, Elliot has been anointed a hometown hero. As he comes to terms with his memories of war, he uncovers the military experience of both his father and grandfather, discovering the delicate link that unites the Ortiz men across time.
Set Design by Sandra Goldmark · Lighting Design by Joel Moritz
Costume Design by Chloe Chapin · Music by Michael Friedman
Sound Design by Walter Trarbach & Gabe Wood
With Mateo Gomez (Anna in the Tropics, Arena Stage; Death of A Chronicle Foretold, Lincoln Center Theater); Zabryna Guevara (The Cook, INTAR; Sonja Flew, The Huntington Theatre); Armando Riesco (Garden State; National Treasure; Oliver Stone's upcoming film on 9/11) and Triney Sandoval (The Ladies of the Camellias, Yale Repertory Theatre)
January 28 – February 19, 2006
45 Below at The Culture Project (45 Bleecker Street at Lafayette Street, New York, NY)
Wed. @ 8 PM, Thurs @ 8 PM, Fri @ 8 PM, Sat @ 8 PM & Sun @ 8 PM.
There will be no performance on Sun, Feb 5.
Regular Discounts: $15 tickets
Discounted Tickets: $10 tickets on 1/29, 2/3, 2/8 & 2/12 with Discount Code VFP73TB
$12 tickets on all other perfs with Discount Code VFP73
To purchase tickets and for more information, visit www.p73.org or www.theatermania.com.
_________________________________________________________
7. Fox News request about Professor De Genova.
Fox News producer Kathleen Foster (Kathleen.Foster@foxnews.com) has contacted MilVets looking for student reaction about Professor Nicholas De Genova's Spring 2006 class: ANTH G6606y "The Metaphysics of Antiterrorism".
Course description: This graduate seminar examines U.S. nationalism and nativism following the events of September 11, 2001 and the rise of the Homeland Security State. This course considers the content and presuppositions of powerful beliefs in a global war of "civilization" variously against "savagery," "barbarism," ever-elusive transnational networks of terrorist "evildoers," and "evil" itself, and the ways that such beliefs have radically reconfigured the politics of race, immigration, national identity, and citizenship within the United States.
If you would like to contact Ms Foster regarding this story, e-mail her at Kathleen.Foster@foxnews.com or call 212-***-**** or 917-***-****.
* MilVets history with Professor De Genova: http://prworld.com.ru/106x39624.html
_________________________________________________________
8. About-us history: GI Bill.
* Hat tip to milvet Ray Carl (rlc2120@columbia.edu) for this interesting article about the wide-reaching effect on American society by the GI Bill and veterans, like us, who've used it.
Go to page 2, The Glory Days of Financial Aid, 3rd paragraph: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10943254/
Excerpt: The nation continued to promote higher education throughout the twentieth century, expanding access to college as a way to redress inequality, foster democratic ideals, and spur economic development. The pledge to kick open the doors to college began in earnest with the “GI Bill of Rights.” . . .
_________________________________________________________
9. Current requests and upcoming events.
a. Week of 01/23: Thurs 01/26 - E-board meeting; Fri 01/27 - General body meeting.
* Spring 2006 schedule of events:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/spring-2006-schedule-of-events.html
b. Remember: to join the General Council (this Friday) or the Executive Board (election in April), you must be Qualifying Military Service (QMS) certified.
Point of contact is Oscar Escano (oje2001@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
Spring 2006 MilVets News is archived at http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/milvets-news-spring-2006.html.
As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, comments or concerns, please send them to us.
Eric Chen
Vice President
U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University
MilVets News: 15JAN06.
Point of Contact: Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu)
* Returning milvets, welcome back. Your e-board has been busy this winter break setting up this semester's progression. We have a lot to report; bear with us.
** Milvets just-arrived, welcome aboard. There is a note for you at the end of the News.
*** Law student and Army veteran Julian Petrin (jmp2154@columbia.edu) is our new Secretary.
CONTENTS:
1. MilVets General Council *NEW*.
2. Request from Fox News regarding Columbia Prof. Nicholas De Genova.
3. Final chance to sign good-luck-in-Iraq banner for Paul Barnes.
4. Spring 2006 event calendar.
5. Bonus about-us reading: "The future of America -- in Iraq" by Robert Kaplan.
6. Current requests and upcoming events.
7. Information for new members.
_________________________________________________
1. MilVets General Council *NEW*.
From President Oscar Escano:
I've authorized the creation of an integrated MilVets General Council to beef up the MilVets decision-making body from four to as many as eight members. Each Councilmember will have the same voting power as the current E-Board members. Again, the main reason for this change is to inject some new decision-making points of view so that we can meet the future with clarity and wisdom.
Elections are scheduled to take place at the first General Body meeting of the semester, at 7:00 PM Jan 27th, in Ramp Lounge East.To be eligible for the position of Councilmember, you need to have had your veteran (ie, "qualifying military service")status confirmed by the E-Board. If you are a veteran and you have not done this (by showing your ID, DD-214, etc.), you may do so the day of the General Body meeting.
Oscar Escano
President
U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University
Point of contact is Oscar Escano (oje2001@columbia.edu).
* The General Council election on Jan 27 should not be confused with the e-board election in April. That said, milvets aspiring to a MilVets executive position are highly encouraged to apply for the General Council.
_______________________________________________
2. Request from Fox News regarding Columbia Prof. Nicholas De Genova.
Subject: De Genova's "Metaphysics of Antiterrorism"
Date: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 10:44:05 -0500
From: "Foster, Kathleen"
To: exec_vets@columbia.edu
Hello. My name is Kathleen Foster. I am a producer at Fox News Channel.
I am looking into a class being offered for Columbia grad students this fall [I believe she means this Spring - Eric] called "The Metaphysics of Antiterrorism".
Wondering if anyone in your group is taking this class or has any thoughts about it. It is being taught by Nicholas De Genova who, I am sure you are aware, sparked quite a controversy in 2003 when he said: "the only true heroes are the ones who find ways to help defeat the U.S. military".
I can be reached at 212-301-**** or 917-667-****.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Kathleen Foster
* MilVets history with Prof. De Genova: http://prworld.com.ru/106x39624.html
_________________________________________________
3. Final chance to sign good-luck-in-Iraq banner for Paul Barnes.
Milvet Paul Barnes deployed last week to Baghdad, Iraq. In December, we filled out a good luck banner which Paul is now carrying with him. We have a 2nd banner that we will mail to Paul this week. If you still wish to sign Paul's good luck banner, contact Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu) no later than Tuesday and we'll arrange it. Notable autographs on the 2nd banner include Garth, Dan, Tyler, Matt, President Bollinger and Provost Brinkley - you'll be in good company.
Point of contact: Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu).
_________________________________________________
4. Spring 2006 event calendar.
General Body Meeting (1st of 2). Lerner Ramp Lounge East, Friday 1/27/2006, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. * This is an important meeting for all members; we'll say more about the agenda as we close in on the 27th.
MilVets Post-Grad Debriefing. Lerner Broadway Game Room, Monday 2/13/2006, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. * Recent MilVets graduates offer advice and discussion based on their post-Columbia experiences; other 'expert' guest speakers possible.
Through the Eyes of a Soldier IV. Lerner Ramp Lounge West, Friday 3/24/2006, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. * Panelists drawn from milvets; past themes in the series have included combat experiences, boot camp and MOS experiences.
General Body Meeting and Elections. Lerner Ramp Lounge East, Friday 4/7/2006, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. * Vote for the 2006-2007 executive board.
On-going projects:
MilVets is pursuing anti-military bias protection on a policy level with the university administration. POC: Oscar Escano (oje2001@columbia.edu).
Operation Iraqi Children at Columbia University. http://www.operationiraqichildren.org/. OpIC distributes basic school supplies, and other aid, to Iraqi children through US military personnel. Planning will take place through March. Execution in April. POC: Eric Chen (elc2003@columbia.edu).
MilVets PT will resume when the weather warms up. We're revamping the program, and we need help from members who are experienced leading and/or planning platoon to company-sized PT. POC: Matt Sanchez (mas2178@columbia.edu), Oscar Escano (oje2001@columbia.edu).
In line with the post-grad debriefing session, we would like to upgrade our academic, pre-professional and professional network within MilVets. Proposals include, but are not limited to, sharing work/intern experiences on the website forum, and forming LSAT, GRE, etc, study groups. Interested? POC: Matt Sanchez (mas2178@columbia.edu), Zhuo Zheng (zz2110@columbia.edu).
* Development of MilVets activities and events is continuous, so make sure to keep updated. Feedback and participation is always encouraged.
_________________________________________________
5. Bonus about-us reading: "The future of America -- in Iraq" by Robert Kaplan.
"The future of America -- in Iraq" by Robert D. Kaplan in the LA Times:
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-kaplan24dec24,0,1795116.story?coll=la-news-comment-opinions
EXCERPT:
If you want to meet the future political leaders of the United States, go to Iraq. I am not referring to the generals, or even the colonels. I mean the junior officers and enlistees in their 20s and 30s. In the decades ahead, they will represent something uncommon in U.S. military history: war veterans with practical experience in democratic governance, learned under the most challenging of conditions.
* It is for us to determine, as our American generation moves forward towards ownership of this country, what does and what will it mean to have served in this formative period? We hold the opportunity with MilVets to shape our own history.
_________________________________________________
6. Current requests and upcoming events.
a. Week of 01/16: Tues 01/17 - Start of Spring 2006 semester.
* Spring 2006 schedule of events:
http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/spring-2006-schedule-of-events.html
_________________________________________________
7. Information for new members.
The MilVets News is distributed once a week during the semester, usually Saturday or Sunday. Members who wish to convey a message to the general body are recommended to do so through the weekly News. Reference - Communications SOP: http://milvets.blogspot.com/2005/10/communications-sop.html
Apart from our main columbia.edu website, a lot of our information is archived on http://milvets.blogspot.com/. It's cumulative, so it's not organized as a logical sequence, but feel free to browse and get caught up.
Don't hesitate to participate, seek answers, or offer advice and ideas to the e-board. Even if we ultimately have to say 'No' to an idea, we appreciate the personal investment. Our group can only evolve as strongly as, and ultimately give back to us, what we invest into it.
We are a functional community. Of course, the university's resources are available to us. If you are looking for veteran-related help - GI Bill, PTSD, whatever - MilVets also offers personal experience and contacts within the group as well as relationships with 'one stop shopping' veteran support offices in the city. While their main mission focus is supporting War on Terror: Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, they have agreed to support non-war veterans in MilVets as well.
_________________________________________________
Spring 2006 MilVets News is archived at http://milvets.blogspot.com/2006/01/milvets-news-spring-2006.html.
As always, if you have any questions, suggestions, comments or concerns, please send them to us.
Eric Chen
Vice President
U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University
