Friday, after eight more men died Thursday in the war on Afghans and Representative Jim McGovern's Amendment calling to end the war was narrowly defeated, a soldier's mother has taken a stand and spoken out against the war.

This week, the House of Representatives will be voting on the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). It is critical for Congress to hear from military families and supporters. Along with continuing to fund the current wars, this bill takes a dangerous step towards creating a state of permanent war, giving the President full legal authority to send American troops to engage in acts of war anywhere without constitutionally required Congressional authorization and, consequently, without any restrictions or oversight from the American people or Congress.

More than 20 national organizations are participating in a call-in day to flood Capitol Hill with constituents calling for an end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Please call your Representatives today, and forward this email to your friends and family.

Call your Representative today. Call TOLL FREE 1-888-231-9276, or find your elected officials by entering your zip code here.

A Healing Gathering in the Northern Black Hills of South Dakota for veterans, military families, and Gold Star families. This gathering is being sponsored by Military Families Speak Out, and includes a traditional healing ceremony with Sioux elders.

Amid the requisite flag-waving, chanting, and nationalistic fervor over the death of Osama bin Laden, I will not be rejoicing myself. There will be no vindication for me as I remember the sacrifice of my brother, a soldier killed in Iraq in 2004.

If the largely symbolic event of bin Laden's death brings closure for the countless people affected by the tragedy of 9/11, I wish them peace. But his death does not offer any to me. It cannot undo the legacy of the reckless endeavors undertaken in the aftermath of that tragedy.

What may be convenient to forget in these moments of righteous chest-beating is that, shortly after the devastation perpetuated by this criminal, we accepted an ideology of permanent war. We waved not the Stars and Stripes, but the flag of revenge.

Today we mark a tragic milestone: 6,000 U.S. service members have been killed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  We mourn for these lost lives, as well as those who’ve taken their own lives as a result of their experiences. We extend our deepest condolences to all Gold Star families, and honor those who have chosen to speak out and channel their grief into ensuring that no other family goes through what they have gone through. 

Last week, ABC News and other venues covered Mary Tillman’s opposition to McChrystal’s appointment. McChrystal was involved in the cover-up surrounding the death of Mary’s son, former NFL star Pat Tillman.

We couldn’t agree more with Mary, and we thank her for speaking out.

In addition to being involved in this cover-up, McChrystal found himself in hot water when the unit he oversaw at Camp Nama in Iraq came under investigation in 2006 for the use of torture and abuse of prisoners as part of its interrogation methods. It has been reported by Army intelligence officers that not only did McChrystal directly violate the Geneva Conventions by prohibiting the Red Cross from making inspections at Camp Nama, but that he was often present when torture and prisoner abuse were occurring.

McChrystal’s appointment to this commission is an insult to military families, and shows how out of touch “Joining Forces” really is. Military families need an advocate with a record of compassion, not torture and lies.

Retired General Stanley McChrystal, co-chair of Michelle Obama's "Joining Forces" Campaign, has a long history in the military and has received media attention a number of times before, none of it positive. We have compiled information and background research on his authorizing and overseeing of torture and prisoner abuse, covering up the death of former NFL star Pat Tillman, and generally playing by his own rules with complete disregard for the Geneva Conventions, international law, and human rights.

Today, Michelle Obama and Jill Biden are kicking off a new initiative called “Joining Forces,” which encourages every department of the government as well as companies, schools, philanthropic organizations, religious groups and local communities to recognize the burden placed on military families by the ongoing military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. Go to http://wearemilitaryfamilies.wordpress.com/ to read responses from military families, and click below to find out how you can participate!

It is a privilege to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of Military Families Speak Out. I have followed the trajectory of MFSO since its inception with great admiration and it pleases me greatly to be coming on board at this critical time in the world.

As a mother of an infantry soldier currently serving in Afghanistan, I travelled to Washington DC Tuesday, March 22nd to ask our elected officials a few questions, such as:

• How long do we need to be in Afghanistan and what is our objective?
• Why do you think our troops should continue to fight & die for a corrupt Karzai government?
• Are you willing to continue to drive up the deficit to pay for the $120+ billion a year cost of this war?