Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America has taken up the cause of America’s Iraqi allies. As “the nation’s first and largest group dedicated to the Troops and Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the civilian supporters of those Troops and Veterans” IAVA is an important voice to be speaking out on this issue. Be sure to check out their page on Iraqi refugees and an excellent piece from a veteran’s perspective by Ray Kimball:
What do you think of when you hear the word terp? If you’re a Marylander, you’re likely to give a yell of support for your local sports team. If you’re a pilot, you probably break open your publications bag and dig for the latest set of Terminal Instrument Procedures. But if you’ve served any time on the ground in Iraq, you probably have very vivid and fond memories of your “terp” – that is, your interpreter, the Iraqi who, in a very real sense, was your eyes and ears when you went outside the wire.