Our Open Letter and Call to Conscience to the Soldiers of Ft. Huachuca, is a message of hope and concern; that veterans support our troops and are working diligently to bring them home as quickly and as safely as possible. We strongly prefer to honor Veteran's on Veterans Day rather then remember them on Memorial Day. This letter has been published in the Columbus Ledger Enquirer to the soldiers at Ft. Benning and the Watertown Daily Times (this Veterans Day) to the soldiers at Ft. Drum. That the "Sierra Vista Herald" refused to publish our letter as a paid advertisement is troubling. We are deeply saddened by the Sierra Vista Herald's unwillingness to honor "Freedom of the Press," and their failure to honor countless Veteran's who share these concerns on Veterans Day. Yet more important, we are deeply concern that our American servicemen and women might be unnecessarily left at risk and that our attempts to have this vital and imperative discussion are denied.

Our letter also includes an invitation. Southwest Witness will hold a “Weekend of Witness” in Tucson and Sierra Vista, AZ on November 17 and 18. Planned events include a “Teach-In Against Torture” from 9 to 4 on Saturday the 17th at Pima Community College Downtown Campus, the showing of “The Ghosts of Abu Grhaib” followed by a procession and all-night vigil, and a peaceful, legally permitted demonstration at the Main Gate of Ft. Huachuca in Sierra Vista from 11 to 3 on Sunday, November 18. Complete information regarding these events is posted on our website at www.southwestwitness.org