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Vet Bus Stop At Capitol on Way to D.C. Event on Iraq Atrocities

A bus of veterans from Oregon will stop at the State Capitol here Thursday on its way to a national event in Washington D.C. organized by veterans to expose - with first-hand accounts - atrocities that have taken place in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A news conference for the vets - held on board the colorful Veterans for Peace bus known as "Squadron 13 Deployed" - will be held THURSDAY at 9:30 a.m. outside the West Steps of the State Capitol (at the bus parking area on the street).

"Winter Solider: Iraq & Afghanistan" is scheduled for March 13-16 in Washington D.C., and features first-hand testimony from U.S. veterans, who will testify about their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. They will present video and photographic evidence.

Sponsored by Iraq Veterans Against the War, Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out and Gold Star Families Speak Out, the historical event features panels of scholars, veterans, journalists and others will present everything from the history of GI resistance to the fight for veterans' health benefits and support. It will be broadcast nationally.

The event is patterned after the 1971 "Winter Soldier Investigation" in Detroit, sponsored by Vietnam Veterans Against the War, where the VVAW challenged the morality and conduct of the war by showing a direct relationship between military policies and war crimes in Vietnam. One-hundred and nine veterans gave testimony about war crimes they had committed or witnesses during the years 1963-1970.