Calendar

© 2007-2008,
Nadia
McCaffrey, the
Patrick
McCaffrey
Foundation &
the Veteran's
Village, all
rights reserved
©
Formed in
2006-2007, the
organization is
a peace based
organization for
members of
the military who
have served in
the war, we are
focusing on the
Iraq &
Afghanistan
conflicts,
however, this
foundation is to
help all war
veterans . We
believe the best
way to support
our troops is to
bring them
home now and
take care of
them when they
get here.

EDITOR:
Thanks for Guy Kovner's article on the Veterans Village project coming to Guerneville ("A home
for those who served," Nov. 23). Members of Sonoma County Veterans For Peace have been
searching for just such a concrete form of outreach for returning veterans for a long time. We're
delighted that this first seedling of Nadia McCaffrey's vision is taking root here in our county.

The Veterans Administration does many things well, but it is overwhelmed by the large numbers
of returnees and the depth of their needs. New vets today are given insufficient tools and time
to transition from war zone to civilian life, just as it was in the past. The lesson of the Vietnam
veteran has only been half-learned: We don't confuse the warrior with the war, check.

But if we don't actively bring the returnee into the folds of the community, we fail those who
have served, and we fail the community. Neighborhoods will be torn by alienation, suffering and
homelessness. We owe it to ourselves to engage.

To learn more about the vision, goals and development of the Guerneville project and others
across the United States look to VeteransVillage.org. The project is completely apolitical.

Ted Sexauer

Co-President, Veterans For Peace, Sonoma County Chapter

General Calendar:

Workshops for Veterans and Military Families

Conferences, Meets, Retreats, Resources etc...

Hello Everyone

Since I have started my long walk home legislation has been passed (the Joshua Omvig Suicide Prevention act), 200 million dollars has been
allocated for its programs and with in a month or two we will get what they propose for programs for our opinion.
We want to send you that proposal for your input.
We felt that the next logical step in the evolution of the long walk home was to form a coalition so that with unity our voice will be heard more
clearly.
I know not everyone shares my passion or how to go about achieving it, but I do know that we all want something better then we have now and I
want your voice heard and your organization to be recognized.
Check out the 2 attachments I have sent, one shows how we can help you and the other shows some of the issues and goals we are working now.
If you have trouble opening them please let me know so that we can change it so that you can.
If you do not want to receive anymore correspondence from me please let me know so that I may take you off my list.
Those of you that are with us on this please pass this on to as many others who you think would be interested.

I would like to thank you all, for almost everyone who I am sending this to I have talked to, been listened to, been supported by, encouraged,
inspired, and given hope...... Sincerely Ron

PS We are also working on a media event for Sept 20 near the Ground Zero site to create awareness and network with politicians,
we hope you can make it or be involved in some way.

ronzaleski@gmail.com
ron@thelongwalkhome.org
305-852 4782
www.thelongwalkhome.org

Through the arts helping Iraq Veterans create new beginnings

The foundation for this project is the creative spirit of God that weaves hope and peace in the midst of daunting circumstances.
We invite all who are moved by compassion to help our wounded veterans and their families as they try to build new beginnings.
The vision for Rabbit Run Studio is to provide a tranquil setting for those who are drawn to the creative and visual arts. The goal for this country place is
to provide a nurturing haven for rejuvenation and vision building for all that come.
www.flyingrabbit.org

Hi Nadia, I just got off the phone with Brigid and she said to touch
base with you about the upcoming Mother's Day Women's Day Retreat we
are putting together for wives and mothers who are caring for their
sons or husbands from the Iraq war.
The event will be held on
Saturday, May 10, 2008.

We plan on having around 7-10 women attend.
The day retreat we held in Santa Cruz was wonderful and look forward
to continuing to provide support and nurturing for all you
caregivers!! We are looking for a little support/funding for goodie
bags we like to give to each woman. Brigid said you offered to put
this on your web site. Thank you so much. My hope is to continue to
develop day/weekend retreats for women and eventually for the wounded
vets using art/writing as part of the healing process. Since I am
comfortable with day workshops/retreats, I am starting off small and
growing as the needs arise. Hope all is well with you!!! I have
colleagues and friends who live in New York and Pennsylvania. One of
these days I would like to brainstorm with you about doing some
retreats in Rochester and Albany. I know a lot is unfolding as to
your vision in these areas. Future dreams..... Hope to talk with
you soon. Tama Dumlao

Telephone #760-749-0342

Sonoma West News
Unique food, peace and farmer event coming to French Garden
Sept. 14 event links Iraq vet with white linen evening

BROTHERS IN FARMS — Members of the “Farms Not Arms” group participated in a recent Petaluma Farmers
Market. Pictured from left is: Josh Anderson, Colin Sillerud, Lily Schneider, Matt McCue and Sufyan Bunch. –

Sebastopol’s French Garden Restaurant will lay out the white tablecloths for a special afternoon dinner
on Sunday, Sept. 14, from 3 to 6 p.m. to help launch a new collaboration between seasoned farmers and
energetic young veterans looking for their place in the current food revolution.

“Farms Not Arms,” headquartered in Petaluma is sponsoring this event to promote the Farmer-Veteran Coalition.

Produce for the event is grown by Iraq war vet Matt McCue and his crew, including other veterans, on
the French Garden Farm nearby, according to Dan Smith, owner of both the restaurant and the farm.

Executive Chef Didier Gerbi is transforming the dinner menu.

Longtime organic farmer with Del Cabo Organic and Project Director of the Farmer-Veteran Coalition,
Michael O’Gorman said he was very excited to announce that his friend George Naylor, Iowa soybean
and corn farmer, and Past President of the National Family Farm Coalition, will be the event’s keynote
speaker.

“There is no one in the entire country,” O’Gorman said, “that can explain how agricultural practices, policies and
politics have created the dire situation our food production is in.”
Much of Michael Pollan’s recent book, “Omnivore’s Dilemma,” was dedicated to Naylor and filled with references to
his first-hand observations. Pollan is also involved with the Slow Food movement, which emphasizes preserving
traditional food sources and educating people about food as a center of community.

“There truly is a revolution going on in food and farming,” O’Gorman said, “and Sonoma County is
Ground Zero for it – the growing public demand for healthier, fresher, more diverse, and most importantly, locally
grown food. But we can’t make it happen, unless we reverse the 200-year-old trend of having fewer and fewer
American farmers. Farming is a life-long commitment to long hours and physical work. We will not find the farmers
without reaching out to the two million young Americans who have come out of the military since September, 2001.”
Matt McCue, who served a year in Iraq, now spends his days tending dozens of fruits and vegetables grown at
the French Garden Farm. What isn’t used at the restaurant is sold at farmers markets around the area. “The
greatest therapy,” says Matt, “is that it is difficult. I am challenged every day to learn and do new things.”
Matt’s opinions were echoed by his friend and fellow Army Vet, Sufyan Bunch, who works as Veteran Outreach
Coordinator for the Farmer-Veteran project. “Vets don’t want help,” the young business student said, “They want
opportunity. This is the perfect time to get into this new type of farming.”
Also speaking at the dinner will be Nadia McCaffrey, Gold Star Mother of Sergeant Patrick Ryan
McCaffrey, who died in Iraq in June of 2004. Nadia grew up on her Grandfather’s organic farm in Southern
France, and is Founder of Veterans Village, an important part of the Farmer-Veteran Coalition. Veterans Village is
working to create farms around the country that veterans can go to and help each other heal the wounds of war.
According to O’Gorman, the inspiration for the Farmer-Veteran Coalition came when three Gold Star
Moms, including McCaffrey, Mary Tillman, and Dolores Kesterson, all showed up last spring at a small
gathering of farmers at Swanton Berry Farm in Davenport to discuss creating jobs for returning vets.
“It was there, standing with these women in a berry field overlooking the Pacific Ocean, that we
realized our farms could do more than just offer employment.”
Honored guest Daniel Ellsberg will be present. He is a former American military analyst who precipitated a
national firestorm in 1971 when he released the Pentagon Papers, a top-secret study of government decision-
making about the Vietnam War, to the NY Times and other newspapers.
Shepherd Bliss, a Vietnam era veteran, will also be speaking. Shepherd Bliss resigned his commission in
the U.S. Army Reserves to protest the Vietnam War. He has run Kokopelli Farm in Sebastopol since l992. He
currently teaches at Sonoma State University and writes about agropsychology and agrotherapy. He honors the
oral tradition of taking poetry into the heart and then reciting it.
The French Garden Restaurant is located at 8050 Bodega Avenue in Sebastopol. CA
Tickets for the dinner are $100 and are available from the Farmer-Veteran Coalition at
www.farmvetco.org or 707-981-8010.
Dinner is from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Limited seating is available.

Swanton Berry Farm invites you to a special benefit dinner

“The Farmer Veteran Coalition Project”
Saturday November 15th

Meet our Gold Star Mothers:
Marie Tillman & Nadia McCaffrey
Veterans and Farmers

6PM at the Swanton Berry Farm-Stand in Davenport CA

Join us for special appetizers followed by Organic Spaghetti Pasta with Dry Farm Tomato Marinara,
Warm Bread with Local Goat Cheese Baked with Chadwick Garden Garlic and Herbs, Peak of Season
Salad, Judge Family Vineyard Wine, Flowers and Herbs
from the Homeless Garden Project
A fine meal finishing with our own Strawberry Shortcake
& Coffee from the Community Action Network

Tickets $75.00

Call to reserve a space or for advance tickets call:
Layla 831-246-4897 laylaa@homelessgardenproject.org
or Forrest 831-469-8804 forrest@swantonberryfarm.com
or online at www.farmsnotarms.org

Location- Hwy 1, Two miles North of Davenport, CA

Sebastopol Farmer Veteran Coalition