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Social Media: http://todaysmeet.com/veteransrights __Beginning of Veteran Rights started after the Civil War__

Created veteran organizations such as Grand Army of the Republic; “supporting voting rights for black veterans, lobbying the US Congress to establish veterans' pensions, and supporting Republican political candidates. Its peak membership, at more than 400,000, was in 1890; a high point of Civil War commemorative ceremonies.” Founded in 1866 and died out in 1956 once the last member died. Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War: “composed of male descendants of Union veterans.” Women: “Invisible Veterans” not fully recognized until after WWII, before that they could not receive VA benefits

__After WWI__: Bonus Army, Bonus March was led by Walter W. Waters. World War Adjusted Compensation Act “awarded them bonuses in the form of certificates they could not redeem until 1945.” During the Great Depression, the veterans wanted their cash back before 1945

__After WWII__: GI Bill of Rights:”These gave veterans access to free or subsidized education and health care. The newly educated GIs created a significant economic impact, and with the aid of VA loans were able to buy housing and establish themselves as part of a growing American middle class. The explosion of the suburbs created sufficient housing for veterans and their families.” Attorney General William D. Mitchell ordered the vets to get off of government property. 2 veterans died. Hoover later order the army to clear the site, the vets along with their wives and children were forced out and their homes and belongings were burned.

__After Vietnam__: Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 called for federally approved work programs to announce job opening and accept veterans in those same open positions without discrimination.

__Biggest organization for Veterans__:

The American Legion []

__People that helped move it forward:__

-Abe Lincoln

-[|American Legion] and [|Veterans of Foreign Wars], got the GI Bill of Rights after WW2

-[]

- USAA (United States Automobile Association) []

[] -Started in WWII

[] started in 1942 help them secure medical services

“special veterans benefits, including medical care in [|Veterans Affairs hospitals] and disability compensation for injuries and diseases caused by internment.” -[] formed by MariBen-Shalom after she was discharged from the army reserve for being a lesbian in 1975 “non-profit organization which supports and advocates for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender veterans of the United States Armed Forces”

__People against:__

__Westboro Baptist Church__ Picket funerals “Thank God for Dead Soldiers,” hate anyone who is gay

-Hoover

__DVNF__ -$56 million gone? -The Disabled Veterans National Foundation has used the $56 million dollars they raised to buy “stuff” which they then send to organizations that help veterans. The stuff they send are of no real need, for example: chef coats, shiny shoes, hand sanitizer, cough drops. The organizations have no say in what they receive and most of it they don’t use.

__Sources:__ "American Ex-Prisoners of War - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2012. . "American Veterans for Equal Rights." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, n.d. Web. 10 May 2010. . "Armed Forces Entertainment - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2012. . "Bonus Army - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2012. . "Mission | The American Legion."Veterans Organizations | The American Legion. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2012. < __http://www.legion.org/mission>.__ "U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs."U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2012. < __http://www.va.gov/>.__ "Veteran - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2012. . "Veterans of Foreign Wars - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2012. . "Video - Breaking News Videos from CNN.com." CNN. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 May 2012. . [] [|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veteran#American_veteran_experience_after_World_War_II] [] [|http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2012/05/09/ac-griffin-veterans-charity-unde-scrutiny.cnn] (video)

Connection: __Christian Right__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: They are against war and veterans rights <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Gay Rights__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: In 2010, President Obama signed a bill to abolish “Don’t ask, don’t tell,” which used to be a program stating that openly gay persons would not be allowed in the army. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Women’s Rights__ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: Fighting to be equal to men, women worked to be recognized as a veteran and finally got it after WWII

Future: With the war in Iraq most likely over in 20 years, there will be more troops here at home needing jobs. This will most likely form new organizations to help the troops readjust to home life. PTSD is also increasing in troops probably forming new health centers to treat just that. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">LINKS http://todaysmeet.com/veteransrights

http://www.dipity.com/khartzell/Social-Movements-Veterans-Rights/#flip