United States' Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan

Honor. Service. Sacrifice.

"For those who Serve. For those who Support."

The United States' Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan is a newly formed group that emerged in direct response to what we perceive as an escalating need, and desire, to demonstrate our continual support of all military personnel at home, and deployed overseas.

While this group was established as a direct result of the ongoing collaboration amongst a small handful of Army Veterans, we believe that our actions should display a unified voice of support that transcends any barriers emplaced by the stigmas associated with each various branch of service.

We will remain politically neutral in regards to various stances concerning the approval, or disapproval, of the war efforts. While we are aware that these various stances do, in fact, exist, we will not allow this page to become a platform for these debates, irregardless of how subtle in nature they are. Instead, our focus is founded on providing a public forum by which past, and present, veterans can congregate in order to demonstrate a unifying factor of support for those who have been, and are currently, in harm's way.

If harnessed correctly, we believe that online communities, such as MySpace and Facebook, provide an incredible avenue for rallying, and maintaining, support of these brave men and women.

This group is not associated, in any way, beyond monetary contributions given from it's current members already, with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), or the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). We will, however, display their banners on our MySpace site with utmost pride.

While we may be members of several organizations simultaneously, we do believe that this effort can effectively harness the potential of cyberspace, as a primary driving force of expressions of support, in a way that complements those previously mentioned organizations.

This is a non-profit group.
At no time will monetary contributions/donations be solicited.

Official USVIA MySpace Page
Official USVIA MySpace Group
Official USVIA Global Map Network
Official USVIA Merchandise
Complementary Squidoo Lens: For those who Support Specific
Facebook Group Available as well: No linking is available .....Search using keyword "Veterans" under Groups to find our USVIA Group.

(Whether you are in the Military, or not, feel free to sign our Guestbook, and let us know what you think of this Squidoo lens!)

a NEW Way of Thinking about Care Packages!

Promoting the Businesses of our Nation's Finest.....

ADD your link and/or VOTE!

Nearly a year after creating this Squidoo Lens, an email from a young, returning, Veteran, inspired us to expand this lens to help promote businesses and/or Non-profit Organizations that have been started by Veterans.

With this Squidoo Lens module, not only can you ADD a link to your business, but you can also VOTE for the businesses that you like the best.

Because we do owe a great deal of gratitude to all men and women who wear the uniform, just being in the military (even if you aren't a Combat/Overseas Veteran) is enough for us to allow you to post your company here.

NOTE: Businesses do NOT have to be military related in order to post them. We just ask that you keep their contents in good taste (No pornography or anything with questionable content). We reserve the right to remove any businesses at our own discretion.

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http://www.myspace.com/dufflebagdepot

MySpace profile for Duffle-Bag Depot with pictures more...1 point

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Direct Link to Duffle-Bag Depot Website! (CLICK)

a full line of military supplies, combat boots, un more...1 point

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The Courage Community - Free Non-Profit Online Veteran Support Network

The Courage Community - Inspiring Action, Through more...1 point

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Veterans And Federal Employment

A lens dedicated to helping veterans get federal a more...1 point

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OperationVets.com, Healing our Veterans and Families

<b>Operation Vets</b> is a non partisa more...0 points

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Student Veterans of America

We are a student run service and support organizat more...0 points

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IAVA - Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America - Home

IAVA is America's first and largest nonprofit, non more...0 points

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Military Clothing & Equipment

Courtesy of your hardcore military training, it ma more...0 points

the Company we engaged.....

.....to make our LOGO Design for this Squidoo Lens!

We are extremely pleased with the LOGO design that The Logo Company did for this Squidoo Lens! Through their link, you can view testimonials, as well as, their nearly endless portfolio. Before we proceed with the content of this lens, because they strove for the same quality and professionalism that we strive for on a daily basis, we have absolutely no problem recommending their services to others!

http://www.thelogocompany.net

First-time visitor?

This poll is one, of many, on this page, that is meant to foster a greater, and more interesting, user experience. Feel free to answer this one, as well as, other polls dispersed throughout our Squidoo lens.

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Back by Popular Demand....

Because YOU wrote us!

After discontinuing our Merchandise for several months, overwhelming requests for it have encouraged us to bring it back for a limited time. After having our group's logo designed, we decided to put it on T-shirts, and give them away to various people that we felt were deserving, for their firm, dedicated, and unwavering support of our troops.

Because we are veterans ourselves, unfortunately, sometimes the support of those, back on the homefront, may go unnoticed (at least it may be perceived that way)......because our guys (and gals) are extremely preoccupied with their mission and their dedicated service to our country overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan, or wherever else they may be serving. We formed this group primarily because we felt so strongly that those supportive civilians, back on the homefront, should not go unnoticed for all they do for us.

After giving away quite a few t-shirts, for free, from us veterans, as we recognize those who support us so much back on the homefront, we decided that other military wives, girlfriends, or significant others may want one as well.

Light T-Shirt

From: United States' Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan

Price: 19.99

Women's Tank Top

From: United States' Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan

Price: 18.99

Ringer T

From: United States' Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan

Price: 19.99

Mug

From: United States' Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan

Price: 14.99

Dark T-Shirt

From: United States' Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan

Price: 22.99

Where have you served overseas?

Supporting the Global War on Terrorism

Anyone who has viewed even a short segment of major network news should be quite familiar with the United States' Military, and other coalition forces, involvement in the 2 Major "Hot-spots" (Countries) in the Global War on Terrorism.

*This poll is a dynamic work-in-progress. As Feedback is received from individuals, NEW options may be added from time to time. The Global War on Terrorism has been an all-encompassing fight that certainly involves OTHER countries BESIDES Iraq and Afghanistan. While this group specifically highlights the monumental amount of new returning veterans, from those key areas, and their dedicated supporters, it would not be right for us to neglect our brothers/sisters who have supported these operations in other locations, as well.

To those who have offered genuine feedback (for any of our Polls), we cannot 'Thank You" enough.

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10% of all Proceeds will now be directed to the Soldier's Angels!

Supporting those who support us.

From our MySpace blog located HERE:
http://www.myspace.com/us_veterans

"Courtesy of the innovative folks at Squidoo.com, we are now able to utilize our Top-Ranking Squidoo lens to direct funding towards other worthy causes. Because of the charity system they have in place, 10% of ALL commission received from the sale of any and all of our USVIA merchandise, through our official Squidoo lens, will be directed wholly, and entirely, to the efforts of the Soldier's Angels.

ALL other merchandise presented, to include books and non-USVIA Merchandise, will also be subject to this same charitable treatment.

10% of all proceeds received from hosted advertisement, on this page, will also be directed to the Solier's Angels.

Payment will be made directly to them, with absolutely no interference from any middleman.

Since it's inception, the ultimate goal of this effort has been to support those who support US, United States' Military Personnel and Veterans. While there are many military related organizations currently doing great things, we can think of no better group than to direct this funding towards.

If you believe in their cause, feel free to REPOST and/or BLOG about this, and encourage others to do the same."

Our (35) Ranked (Category: People)(PEAK: (2)) Official Squidoo Lens is located HERE:
http://www.squidoo.com/usvia

From our MySpace site:

This Squidoo Lens is a TRIBUTE

"*This group is not yet a Non-profit Organization. While we appreciate the generosity, absolutely no donations will be accepted. 10% of any, and all, proceeds from our Squidoo lens will continue to be directed wholly, and entirely, towards the efforts of the Soldier's Angels. We will continue to utilize this MySpace site to help promote advocacy efforts, pursued by established Non-profit Organizations, by displaying their banners with utmost pride. We sincerely hope that you will consider directing your donations towards those other worthy causes displayed on this MySpace Site.

Write about your Experiences..........

.....and share them with the World!

If you have served in Iraq and/or Afghanistan,
We would like to read your Story!

#1) Make a Squidoo Lens HERE!
#2) Write about your experiences in Iraq and/or Afghanistan!
OR
Write about your experience Supporting a Loved one who has served overseas in Iraq and/or Afghanistan!
(NOTE: You do NOT have to be a Veteran to do this option!)
OR
Write about anything, military-related, that interests you!
(NOTE: You do NOT have to be a Veteran to do this option!)
OR
Write about your Military Non-profit Organization and/or Business!
(NOTE: You do NOT have to be a Veteran to do this option!)
*We will give you absolutely FREE advertisement, and exposure, by linking directly to your Squidoo Lens*
**If you can provide a Non-profit/ Business LOGO, we will include that, as well, on our #2 Ranked Squidoo Lens!**
#3) Submit your Squidoo URL to us, via MySpace, and we will link directly to your Lens, from our Top-ranked Lens!

Here's my favorite link:

New Big Arrow Link

Were it not for the firm support of many dedicated, and passionate, individuals, this effort would have never achieved such a monumental feet. In just a few days, our official USVIA Squidoo lens has jumped significantly in rank: reflecting highly upon an overall American sentiment towards providing for our Military, and our Veterans, the Support that they so deserve. Their great sacrifice is unfathomable, but, without those, at home, supporting us, morale would not have been maintained in the way that it has.

This effort has received much support, and, if it were not for dedicated individuals sharing our Squidoo Lens link/ MySpace Site, with others, this incredible rank would never have been achieved.

It doesn't stop there.

We ask that you read our Squidoo lens, and that you visit, as more content has been added with each day. While we support our Troops currently deployed in harm's way, this effort was begun by Veterans in order to demonstrate our gratefulness to YOU: the Everyday American Citizen who has Supported US.

From:

United States' Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan Official Store
Many other T-Shirt colors are Now Available.

Within our official Squidoo lens, you will find a multitude of information and content. Scrolling down to the very bottom of this page may seem like an endless task, but, if feedback generated from past readers is accurate, you will find this Squidoo lens to be worthwhile, informative and a much needed, continual, display of support.

1) Our Official Logo
2) Our Global MAP Network available for Viewing
3) MONTHLY: Recognizing OUR Heroes Section
4) "Homefront": a Novel written by our Friend, Kristen Tsetsi,
--the wife of a soldier who was deployed to Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division.
5) POLL: Where Have you Served Overseas?
6) Seven YouTube Videos:
--Interviews with 23 Year-Old Iraq Combat Veteran/Author, Sgt. Seth Connor(USMC)
7) POLL: How many Tours of Service have you done Overseas?
8) POLL: For Military Significant Others
9) Music the Strengthens and Inspires
10) a Short YouTube video created by Members of USVIA
11) Your Feedback for Military Care packages
--a Growing USER-generated list of Care package items
12) Advocating for Veterans
13) Reader Feedback
14) RSS News Feed for Veterans
15) CBS News
16) Fox News
17) High-Quality USVIA Merchandise
--T-Shirts (Many Colors Available!)/Mugs/Pillows/ and much more.
18) USVIA Free-Shirt Give-Away!
19) User generated list of Military-Related Charities/ Organizations
--ADD a DIRECT link to your own/favorite Military Related Charity or Organization website.
--Don't forget to VOTE for it in order to help gain for it more visibility.
*There are currently 20 Charities/Organizations displayed.
20) Wall of Honor
--Thumbnailed Images
--This Section will be added to Frequently.
21) Military Blogs
22) samSForce Community for U.S. Military, Veterans, and their Supporters
23) Cost of the War in Iraq
24) Top Stories RSS
25) Army News RSS

Our Official Logo

Courtesy of thelogocompany.net

A color version of this logo can be viewed further down this page.
*Logo has been used on a variety of high-quality USVIA Merchandise. FREE USVIA T-Shirt Give-Away Details are at the BOTTOM of this Squidoo Lens.

ALL of our LOGOs were created by:

Clicking on our Logo will take you directly to our Global Map Network of Veterans, Current Military Personnel serving at home and abroad, as well as, their Supporters. Points are designated by specific service branch. It would be an honor to have YOU join the hundreds who have already added a 'point' in firm demonstration of their service, and support.

Because this Global Map Network has been viewed countless times by those currently serving overseas, it is our HOPE that it will reach as many American Citizens as possible. This Map Network provides an incredible opportunity for everyone to display their support of our soldiers/ marines/ airmen/ and sailors, currently serving overseas, in harm's way. Thank You!

From:

Many more USVIA products are featured at the END of this Page.
Click Product to see Larger Picture.
http://www.cafepress.com/usvia

Our Global Map Network of Supporters

Check back HERE occasionally to see our Network Grow!

LINK:
http://www.frappr.com/veteransofiraqandafghanistan/map

(Feel free to PASS this link on to your friends and/or include it in your signature line on any message boards/ forums you may visit.)

Our Global Map Network of United States' Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, current Military Personnel serving at home and abroad, as well as, ALL those American Citizens who would like to demonstrate their Support of these brave men and women.

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Support Our Troops Magnet - yellow ribbon

September 2007: Recognizing OUR Heroes

Supporting those who Support. Nominate! Nominate! Nominate!

To some, supporting our country's veterans is an admirable cause. For others, advocacy has become a deep-founded passion requiring countless hours of selfless service and dedication. It is these individuals who oftentimes go overlooked, taking a back seat to other priorities, as well as, a national infatuation with celebrity.

Founder of the Global Facebook group, "Healing our Veterans and Families; Beyond the Yellow Ribbons", and creator of the new website http://operationvets.com, John Powers is one of those individuals. You won't find his picture on a billboard or embedded deep within the pages of a popular magazine, but this 23-year-old's firm dedication to country and his fellow man should serve as an inspiration to us all.

Through his efforts, he has embodied a national unifying theme in generating awareness of issues that affect the very men, and women, who fight daily for our precious freedoms. It is truly an honor to grant him the recognition that he so deserves.

To nominate someone for consideration for this MONTHLY recognition, please contact us either through Squidoo, our MySpace account, or our Yahoo email Account. This email account will be monitored daily.

http://www.myspace.com/us_veterans
us_veterans_ia@yahoo.com

You may also utilize our comment section BELOW.

Please include in any email/comment specifics about WHY your candidate should be selected. While this does not have to be a multi-page email, we do ask that your presentation be passionate, creative, and convincing. Also, include any accompanying pictures that you can. These will be included in our section, if your candidate is selected.

You can nominate Individuals or Groups.
A School? Class? Church Congregation?

"Homefront": a Novel

Written by Kristen Tsetsi

"An intimate deployment story told from an uncommon perspective."

We met this particular author through frequent email exchanges on our MySpace site, and as we continued to share experiences, we quickly became close personal friends with her. Her "debut novel, 'Homefront', takes us into the life of twenty-six year old Mia, who faces a battle against anxiety, loneliness and despair when her boyfriend is deployed to Iraq". (Editorial Review, Bookpleasures.com, April 24, 2007)

Her work is an inspiration, and we highly-recommend it.

Product Details
Purchase "Homefront: a Novel"

Kristen's Bio:
"Kristen Tsetsi is a freelance and fiction writer whose writing has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and appeared on the MWA's list of notable stories of 2006.
Her husband deployed to the Middle East with the 101st Airborne Division just before the Iraq war started and came back a year later."

"No anecdotes.
No self-help.
No chicken soup.
No how-to's.......

Just the raw, honest, intimate story."

To READ more Editorial/Customer Reviews CLICK HERE (or on the below Quote).

"For me, a soldier who has felt the gut-wrenching emptiness brought on by long periods of being without my loved one, it is rare to find a book that captures just what it's like to be tortured by circumstance and a forlorn existence. Homefront is one of those rarities...Homefront is powerful."
--Andrew A., US Army, Infantry/Ordinance

There was an error connecting to the Amazon web service. Please try again. Sorry, there are no results available from Amazon.

U.S. M1A1 Abram - Baghdad, 2003

"I felt pride. I felt frustration. I felt empathy, sadness and at times envy. Most importantly, from cover to cover, I felt."
-Dave Bothun, former Marine.
The Three Jarheads, Comedians to the Corps.
Founder and Member.

"...a candid, vivid diary of war, refreshing for its realism and its lack of pretense."
-Bing West, Author of No True Glory: A Frontline Account of the Battle for Fallujah

Purchase "Boredom by Day, Death by Night"

"Experience the Iraq war through the journal and letters of a Marine who fought there. Initially written as a private journal without any thought of publication, Boredom by Day, Death by Night: An Iraq War Journal describes Sgt. Seth Conner's most personal, intimate, and revealing thoughts on his experiences with the war. The book reads like action, feels like drama, informs like news, and discloses like confession."

"Join Sgt. Conner as he struggles to handle the anticipation of first combat; accept the loss of friends to horrific deaths; cope with the aftermath of witnessing grotesque tragedies; withstand the constant fear of mortar shells; survive combat while still completing his mission; reconcile his faith with the realities of war; deal with criticism from the home front; and readjust to life at home."

Interviews with 23 year old, Iraq Combat Veteran, Sergeant Seth Conner, USMC

Author of "Boredom by Day, Death by Night"

Author Bio

"After serving a tour in Japan and a combat tour in Iraq, the United States Marine Corps relieved Sgt. Seth Conner from military service in 2005 with an honorable discharge. He currently attends Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, California, and works part time at the Orange County Rescue Mission. He also attends Nouveau Riche University in Scottsdale, Arizona, and works part time as a real estate investor. As a member of Saddleback Church, Conner takes semi-annual missions trips to other parts of the world to share God's love with the less fortunate. Born and raised in Parker, Colorado, Conner currently lives in Lake Forest, California."

Episode #1: Editing and an Excerpt

Runtime: 6:01
532 views
1 Comments:

Episode #2: The Hostile Home Front

3.83

Runtime: 2:25
2936 views
10 Comments:

Episode #3: Beginnings

Runtime: 3:15
428 views
1 Comments:

Episode #4: The Best of Times

4.67

Runtime: 1:26
310 views
1 Comments:

Episode #5: Simple Pleasures

4.67

Runtime: 1:26
390 views
0 Comments:

Episode #6: Words of Wisdom

4.50

Runtime: 3:55
1014 views
4 Comments:

Episode #7: Iraqi Civilians

Runtime: 1:43
812 views
3 Comments:

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Unimax Forces of Valor 1:32 Scale U.S. AAVP7A1

For United States' Veterans of Afghanistan

From:

Afghanistan War Veteran License Plate Frame

From: www.IraqiFreedom.com

License Plate Frame

Tours of Service Overseas

Honor. Service. Sacrifice.

Because a wide variety of individuals have visited this page, we would like to invite those who support to VOTE, as well.

How many deployments have you endured WITH your loved one? Even if you were NOT deployed overseas yourself, your role in our mission accomplishment is invaluable. You are our BACKBONE and you should be recognized, as such.

Has your son or daughter served in Iraq and/or Afghanistan? Husband/ Wife? A longtime family friend? A member of your group or church congregation? For how many deployments have you provided support?

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For United States' Veterans of Iraq

Honor. Service. Sacrifice.

From:

Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran Sticker

From: 2695Design's Military Shop!

Sticker (Rectangle)

A Poll for Military Significant Others

For those who Serve. For those who Support.

Military Spouses and Families Deserve our Admiration and Respect: An Opinion Letter (2005)

Direct Link to our Massive Global Map Network

*If your significant other is no longer in the military, but they DID serve in the past, their service should not go unrecognized. Feel free to still VOTE with their service branch.

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For those who Support.