FLORIDA VETERANS FOR COMMON SENSE, INC.
SARASOTA, FLORIDA

Florida Veterans for Common Sense began in Sarasota, Florida in 2002 during the run-up to the Iraq War. As the drumbeat for war intensified, three Vietnam era veterans questioned the government’s position that the war would be short and easy and that the Iraqi people would greet American troops as liberators. Also, like Vietnam they noticed “intelligence” used to justify the war appeared to be propaganda and not based on reliable information. As they talked about the impending invasion with others, these three veterans learned they were not alone in their opinion and that, in fact, many other veterans shared their concern about another counterproductive war. Knowing that other veterans shared their concern, the three veterans sought local veterans groups to speak out against the invasion. What they found disappointed them. Not only were other veterans groups not warning against the folly of invading Iraq, they were promoting it. As a result, these three veterans sought out and easily found several other like minded veterans and they decided to form their own organization to express their concerns publicly and effectively. The initial group met informally to consider ways to influence public opinion in opposition to the Iraq invasion, to take positions on other important national security issues and to help the troops and veterans. They decided that a central theme of the group was needed and they choose to dedicate their actions towards informing the community on matters affecting national defense, active duty military and veterans’ issues. The small group had little political or media experience, but the members encouraged each other to speak out against the Iraq war and endeavored to inform candidates for political office with facts and analysis that supported a reasonable basis to oppose the war. After the Iraq invasion, the group noted that, like Vietnam, the returning soldiers were not appreciated by the public like they deserved. Worse, our own government failed to give the returning soldiers the medical and psychological care they needed. The group also noticed that, like Vietnam, American soldiers were fighting and dying in a country half way around the world without a clearly defined mission as if nothing been learned from the Vietnam War. Many members believed that continuing the Iraq occupation was not in the best interest of the United States or that keeping soldiers in Iraq made America safer. The group debated vigorously the conduct of the war and a timetable for withdrawing American troops from Iraq. In time, a consensus emerged that the United States should completely withdraw from Iraq at the end of 2007. During this time, the group operated as a voluntary association as an affiliated chapter of Veterans for Common Sense, a national veterans advocacy group. But, in time the group learned that operating as a voluntary association limited its ability to grow and educate effectively. So, in August 2007, the group incorporated as a non-partisan 501 (c) 4 tax-exempt veterans advocacy corporation as Florida Veterans for Common Sense Inc. Contributions to Florida Veterans for Common Sense Inc., (a 501 (c) 4 not for profit corporation) are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. Veterans have a duty to help forge the future of our country. To that end, Florida Veterans for Common Sense will work to shape local and national policies. 2. As veterans, we call upon our government to provide returning veterans the best medical and psychological treatment. We call for dedicated funding and fundamental reform of the Veterans Administration to provide such treatment for all veterans. Contributions to Florida Veterans for Common Sense Inc., (a 501 (c) 4 not for profit corporation) are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. Commissioned as an Armor Officer from the ROTC Program, his first assignment was in Germany where he served as a Tank Platoon Leader, Armored Cavalry Platoon Leader and S-3Air for the 1 Kevin was appointed Administrative Director of the Suffolk County, NY Industrial Development Agency where he was responsible for the issuance of of over $500 million in IRB funding to help 100’s of companies expand. After leaving active duty, Nadine moved to New York with her son to start a completely different career in advertising and design. She now works as a designer and as the founder of Lady Brigade, making apparel and fostering a community for women veterans. Her apparel has been featured on MSNBC, NPR, and Buzzfeed to name a few. When she’s not busy with Lady Brigade, she spends a majority of here time volunteering, speaking, and organizing events to empower and assist veterans. This past April Nadine hosted the first EVER state-wide women veterans conference in Florida, where over one hundred women came together to celebrate their service, learn about important resources, and to connect with other women veterans. Contributions to Florida Veterans for Common Sense Inc., (a 501 (c) 4 not for profit corporation) are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. Florida Veterans for Common Sense began in Sarasota, Florida in 2002 during the run-up to the Iraq War. As the drumbeat for war intensified, three Vietnam era veterans questioned the government’s position that the war would be short and easy and that the Iraqi people would greet American troops as liberators. Also, like Vietnam they noticed “intelligence” used to justify the war appeared to be propaganda and not based on reliable information. As they talked about the impending invasion with others, these three veterans learned they were not alone in their opinion and that, in fact, many other veterans shared their concern about another counterproductive war. Knowing that other veterans shared their concern, the three veterans sought local veterans groups to speak out against the invasion. What they found disappointed them. Not only were other veterans groups not warning against the folly of invading Iraq, they were promoting it. As a result, these three veterans sought out and easily found several other like minded veterans and they decided to form their own organization to express their concerns publicly and effectively. The initial group met informally to consider ways to influence public opinion in opposition to the Iraq invasion, to take positions on other important national security issues and to help the troops and veterans.