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Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan Security

By Ken Nielsen

Better safe than sorry. We had no idea what the reaction of extreme right so-called patriots would be against Iraq Veterans Against the War's Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan. There was a lot of electronic static through the biggest source of misinformation (aside from the government) and it got a few people concerned, both in IVAW and the VVAW team in charge of security. To be ready we prepared for all sorts of scenarios, some outrageous and some common. Months of preparation went into the various details. The mission was simple: protect the participants of the event and protect the continuity of the event.

Decades of experience were called upon to produce a structure that was nearly foolproof. Bill Branson provided experience from numerous VVAW security projects from the seventies through the nineties. Without Bill the project would have had major problems.

Just as important, a huge amount of gratitude has to go out to the people who volunteered to be security for Winter Soldier. Over seventy individuals gave up their right to watch the event while they performed different security tasks through the four days (two of the days lasting over 14 hours). Without these people it would not have happened. This is a testament of the power of people in action. A call went out to support IVAW and it was answered. The security people alone outnumbered the right wing protesters at least two to one and provided an environment that allowed the IVAW testifiers to do what they had to without fear. These people deserve to be named:

Bill Branson leads the security training at Winter Soldier; Iraq & Afghanistan

Elliott Adams
Lian Alan
Carl Arnold
Joe Bangert
Billie Bates
Charlie Branson
Bill Biggus Branson
Tom Baxter
Jerry Brest
Alfredo Calixto Cabrera
Frank Corcoran
William Covert
Billy X. Curmano
Zoe Curry
Janet Curry
Dave Curry
Ken Dalton
Louie De Benedette
Buzz Yogi Doyle
Adam Outta Here Dzagulones
Don Dzagulones
Ken Farr
Ed Flowers
Hannah Frisch
Buddy Georgia
Joe Giannini
Eldon Grossman

Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan Security

Kurt Hilgendorf, Lian Alan, Annie Hirschman, Jeff Machota, Dorothy Day and Bob Gronko

Thank you all for helping Iraq Veterans Against the War share the stories main stream media refuses to tell and the stories the world needs to hear. It was a honor to assist IVAW and a privilege to work with you all.

Bill Branson and Ken Nielsen address the IVAW organizers and testifiers

Amy Meyers and Jim Murphy on Front Entrance Security

Buzz Doyle on Front Gate Security