A new band of brothers

A new band of brothers

By JON ERICSON
Courier Staff Writer



WATERLOO — Iraq war veterans Joe Nolte and Ron Devoll find it hard to fit in with existing veterans organizations. Members are too old and the causes aren’t tailored to the experiences of Iraq War vets, they say.

So the men want to launch their own veterans organization.

Devoll is a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, while Nolte belongs to none of the existing groups.

They haven’t defined exactly what their new organization will be, but they want it to accomplish at least two things — be a place a veteran can go for help and provide a forum for veterans to talk about issues.

"We don’t want it to be a typical organization, not a club, not a political organization," Nolte said. "We want a place where a vet can call when they need help."


The working name for the potential organization is Veterans with a Voice. They are looking into registration as a nonprofit 501(c)3 entity exempt from some taxes.

For now, they want to see what interest is out there for such an organization.

"We wanted to get it out there to see if there are other people out there with concerns that may want to help them get off the ground," Nolte said.

Both men have had their own problems since returning from Iraq.

Nolte is a Mason City native now living in Waterloo and going to school at the University of Northern Iowa. The Marine suffered injuries when his vehicle drove over a roadside bomb in Iraq. When he returned, Nolte struggled to get the Veterans Affairs hospital to cover the cost of his injuries.

Devoll of Cedar Falls is an army veteran and has struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder since his return.
go here for the rest
http://www.vawatchdog.org/08/nf08/nfMAR08/nf033108-4.htm


Women are doing the same. Will the DAV, VFW, American Legion and the rest get the point before it's too late?