For more information:
Callie R. Oettinger, callie@o-a-inc.com
Ph: 703-451-2476, Fax: 703-451-6870

America's Wake-Up Call
Redefining a Generation

Iraq Veteran takes on the Beltway, while Constructing
a Generation of Activism from One of Indifference

"I had always complained that mine was a generation without cause. Not anymore..
Republicans got us into this mess and the Democrats don't have a plan to get us out...
pro-war or anti-war—both [are] outdated ways of looking at the situation... [This is] a new generation of activists, criticizing a new kind of war, and that requires new tactics."

—Paul Rieckhoff

Paul Rieckhoff was the first Iraq veteran to publicly
criticize the war and challenge the Bush Administration.

Rieckhoff gave the radio response to President Bush's weekly address May 1, 2004, on the one-year anniversary of the president's 'Mission Accomplished' speech.

That response—traditionally given by a ranking Democrat—was this staunch Independent's opportunity to spearhead needed debate about the treatment and use of military men and women, and deliver the truths of the war to a nationwide audience.

The President's Course: Between 2003 and 2004, Rieckhoff   had "stayed the course" in Iraq. That course included everything from inadequate body armor, training and support, to a lack of interpreters, batteries, and even water. It also included fighting insurgents that melted into the population and disappeared—like ghosts.

Bringing the Battle Home: Rieckhoff returned home dead set on making sure that those Americans still in Iraq—and those returning home—had at least the basics. Pro-war and anti-war sentiments didn't matter. Every American had a responsibility to take care of those who had served.

Chasing Ghosts: A Soldier's Fight for America from Baghdad to Washington, by Rieckhoff, is not just another soldier's memoir of war. It is America's wake-up call. Rieckhoff asks the tough questions and demands answers. He tackles the failings of the war and of the leaders of our nation.  

"In 2003 and 2004 there wasn't anyone who understood the war," said Rieckhoff. "The only thing more surprising than the Republicans' mismanagement of the war was the Democrats' inability to take advantage of the failures politically.

"Clearly, the John Kerry of 1971 could've never gotten into see the John Kerry of 2004. We were chasing ghosts again."

Just as the Kerry of 1971 is a ghost, so are President Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., the 60s, Vietnam, and the Greatest Generation. While America continues to chase these images, Rieckhoff is helping his generation focus on the most important issue facing America today—Iraq.

"It is through the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan that a viable solution to Iraq will be found," said Rieckhoff. Through his work with IAVA, Rieckhoff is helping these vets become today's leaders, today's activists, today's heroes, today's forces for change. "Iraq vets will change the course not only for Iraq, but also for the critical 2006 congressional elections."

In Chasing Ghosts, Rieckhoff calls out to the reigning political parties, military leadership, the press, his generation, and all others, and asks that they take responsibility for America's future.

Chasing Ghosts reminds Americans that as a democratic nation, the fate of the United States is in the hands off its citizens.

For Rieckhoff, only half the battle was fought in Iraq. Each day is a battle to determine the future of the military and the United States.

August 23, 2005: From "Hardball with Chris Matthews" Interview

Rieckhoff: To demand an exit strategy is not the same as advocating for an immediate pullout. It makes sense to know how long we are going to be there and what kind of resources we need to extend and also how to prepare the American people for it. You`re hearing that from all sides at this point. You`re hearing it from—especially from the veterans, like John McCain, like Senator Hagel.

The question before the president is, right now, why does your view of Iraq look so much different from these people? And why haven't you changed course?

October 27, 2004: From "Wolf Blitzer Reports" Interview

Rieckhoff: We're not an anti-war group. People say, are you speaking out against the war? We're not speaking out against the war. We're speaking out about the war.

May 3, 2004: From "Paula Zahn Now" Interview

Rieckhoff: I'm not speaking on behalf of the DNC or on behalf of John Kerry or anyone else.

Zahn: You say you didn't get used by the party?

Rieckhoff: No, I didn't get used by anyone. They provided me an opportunity to voice my opinion. And if anything I probably used them. I came home and I was frustrated by the dialogue and I was frustrated by the way the war was being politicized.