Iraqi war vets' group pushes for war's end
Iraqi war vets' group in Oklahoma City to push for war's end

Several members of Iraq Veterans Against the War called Monday for the immediate withdrawal of American troops in Iraq, full benefits for returning veterans and reparation for Iraqis.

Their national tour will take them to eight military installations and to next week's Democratic National Convention being held in Denver.

The group next heads to Fort Carson, Colo.

"We're here today to speak out against this war,” said Justin Cliburn, 26, of Lawton, a member of the Oklahoma Army National Guard who served in Iraq in 2005 and 2006 as a member of the Guard.

Cilburn appeared at a state Capitol news conference with six veterans who are on the nationwide tour.

Jason Washburn, a former Marine who served three tours in Iraq including the invasion in 2003, said he wants to help returning veterans apply for and obtain the benefits they deserve.

"People say they support the troops and the veterans, but once you're no longer in, it kind of seems people forget and don't take care of the problems that were created with the service, whether it be mental or physical,” said Washburn, 28, of Philadelphia.

Washburn said he was homeless until he received assistance from Iraq Veterans Against the War, which gave him a job.

Marlisa Grogan, a Marine who served in Iraq from 2005 to 2006 and is a captain in the Marine Reserves, said she joined the tour to hear from soldiers and Marines "to truly get an accurate assessment of what's going on over there (in Iraq) currently and to offer up our own experiences, navigating through the VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) system and dealing with mental health issues.”

Grogan, 28, of Wayne, N.J., has worked as a union organizer and is enrolled in graduate school in the fall to focus on veterans issues.

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