Now, we must do the same for the troops in Afghanistan!

This is another call to action. We are asking every Afghanistan veteran, and other veterans, who believe in defeating America’s enemies to converge on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on Thursday, November 5. It’s time for the warfighters to tell their representatives–face to face–to give the Commanders what they need.

CLICK HERE to SIGN UP to join Vets For Freedom in Washington, DC on November 5th! The sooner you sign up, the sooner they can schedule meetings for you!

We all hope that President Obama makes the right decision, by heeding the advice of his commanders and “surging” in Afghanistan. But in order to ensure he does–and shore up support for a troop increase in Congress–it is important to make our voices heard.

Vets will meet with Republicans and Democrats alike, making the case for a properly resourced counterinsurgency campaign, that allows the U.S. to defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda, complete the mission, and bring the troops home in victory.

If you can’t make it to Washington, PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE. We hope to raise enough money–from the supporters of Vets for Freedom–to ensure that everyone who makes the trip is reimbursed at some level. Every dollar donated to Vets for Freedom between now and November 5 will go directly to covering travel costs of veterans.

Lastly, please forward this post to everyone you know. Post it on your blog. Print it out and hand it out to friends. Get the word out, so we can get as many veterans on Capitol Hill as possible.

This is our mission. This is our moment. Join Vets for Freedom on Capitol Hill and do your part to support our commanders and troops in Afghanistan.

The full petition can be found at: www.vetsforfreedom.org/give_them_what_they_need

“Unlike Iraq, there was consensus at the beginning of the war in Afghanistan that America must be successful in toppling the Taliban and dismantling Al Qaeda, for the safety of our country. Eight years later, the consensus on the war in Afghanistan is fractured; however we believe that the need for victory has not changed,” reads the petition. “Now is the time for your leadership. If you listen to commanders on the ground, give them what they need, and stand behind our warriors in Afghanistan—we will stand with you. If you don’t, and would rather fight the ‘war of necessity’ with one hand tied behind our back, then we will loudly object.”

The “Give Our Generals What They Need” Petition comes less than two weeks after General McChrystal’s first on-the-ground assessment of the War in Afghanistan. However, this original review did not contain troop numbers. Within the month, Gen. McChrystal is expected to send a separate recommendation to the President on troop increases, but reports have indicated that the President may reject a significant increase in troops on the ground.

Pete Hegseth, the Chairman of Vets for Freedom, is available for interview, as are a number of Afghanistan veterans. Send media requests to media@vetsforfreedom.org or call (202) 338-4070. For more information about Vets for Freedom, please visit www.vetsforfreedom.org

CJ Grisham, Vets For Freedom Alabama State Chapter Captain, is available for interview. Send local requests to cj@soldiersperspective.us or call 256-489-2683.

Full text of the petition is below:

President Obama:

We, the undersigned U.S. war veterans and patriotic Americans, petition you with one simple request:

Listen to the commander on the ground in Afghanistan—General Stanley A. McChrystal—and provide him with the troops he says he needs to win the war in Afghanistan.

By accepting the troop recommendations of General McChrystal—and his boss General David Petraeus—we have a chance to turn the war in Afghanistan around. This is a moment in history we must not miss.

Like General Petraeus in Iraq, General McChrystal is an outside-the-box thinker who thrives in the ambiguity of asymmetrical battlefields. Like General Petraeus in Iraq, General McChrystal has the right strategy—a comprehensive counterinsurgency plan.

In 2007, General Petraeus was given the troops he needed (the “Surge”) to win, and Iraq has turned around—resulting in dramatically lower U.S. casualties, a more stable Iraq, and a drawdown of American forces.

General McChrystal—and all our brave Soldiers and Marines on the ground—deserve the same chance to win in Afghanistan. They deserve the additional troops needed to turn a winning strategy into a winning result.

We fully acknowledge that the war in Afghanistan has been tough, and is currently headed in the wrong direction. And as you have said, it has been under-resourced, under-funded, and under-manned for years. You have also said that it is a war we must win. We agree on all fronts.

Unlike Iraq, there was consensus at the beginning of the war in Afghanistan that America must be successful in toppling the Taliban and dismantling Al Qaeda, for the safety of our country. Eight years later, the consensus on the war in Afghanistan is fractured; however we believe—as do you—that the need for victory has not changed.

During this time of domestic uncertainly and global threats, winning the war will require steadfast Presidential leadership; a Commander-in-Chief who is unwilling to be swayed by lagging poll numbers or party leaders who want to block troop increases.

Now is the time for your leadership. If you listen to commanders on the ground, give them what they need, and stand behind our warriors in Afghanistan—we will stand with you. If you don’t, and would rather fight the “war of necessity” with one hand tied behind our back, then we will loudly object.

Many—in fact a majority—said the war in Iraq was “unwinnable,” yet our troops persevered and turned the tide. Despite the drumbeat of detractors—on both sides of the aisle—this is another war we can win. But we must act now.

We owe it to the Marines and Soldiers slogging it out with insurgents every day to get this right. If we do, they’ll fight, they’ll persevere, and they’ll win. If we don’t, we are setting them up for failure. No less than America greatness—and the legacy of America’s finest warriors—is at stake.