Near Sligo Creek Park

More than 200 members of Iraq Veterans Against The War organized a four day (March 13-16, 2008 ) summit Winter Soldier: Iraq and Afghanistan eyewitness accounts of the occupations at the National Labor College Silverspring suburds of Washington DC, USA.

These testimonies from U.S. veterans, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, showed that the current foreign American policies in Iraq and Afghanistan had led to war crimes.

The Name " Winter Soldier" is inspired by Revolutionary War hero Thomas Paine's call for patriots to act for their country in times of crisis, and invokes the long tradition of veterans speaking out against the corruption of the military and illegal war:

" These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thank of man and woman".

The first Winter soldier took place on January 31, 1971, more than 125 members of Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) met at a Howard Johnson's hotel in Detroit to discuss war crimes they claimed to have participated in or witnessed during their combat tours in Vietnam.

The witnesses stated that these acts were being committed casually and routinely, under orders, as a matter of policy.

John Kerry was the one who went before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations to accuse the United States military of committing massive numbers of war crimes in Vietnam on april 1971.

Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) was founded by Iraq war veterans in July 2004 at the annual convention of Veterans for Peace (VFP) in Boston to give a voice to the large number of active duty service people and veterans who are against this war, but are under various pressures to remain silent.

From its inception, IVAW has called for:

- Immediate withdrawal of all occupying forces in Iraq;

- Reparations for the destruction and corporate pillaging of Iraq so that Iraqi people can control their own lives and future; and

- Full benefits, adequate healthcare (including mental health), and other supports for returning servicemen and women.

Following this 2008 Winter Soldier, on Thursday, May 15, 2008, some members of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) testified under oath, before members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus,about the realities of the Iraq occupation.

You could be my silver springs

Blue green colors flashin

I would be your only dream

Your shining autumn, ocean crashing

And did you say she was pretty

And did you say that she loves you

Baby, I dont wanna know

Ill begin not to love you

Turn around, see me runnin

Ill say I loved you years ago

Tell myself you never loved me, no

And did you say she was pretty

And did you say that she loves you

Baby, I dont wanna know

Oh, no

And can you tell me was it worth it

Really, I dont wanna know

Time casts a spell on you, but you wont forget me

I know I could have loved you, but you would not let me

Time casts a spell on you, but you wont forget me

I know I could have loved you, but you would not let me

Ill follow you down til the sound of my voice will haunt you

was I such a fool?

Youll never get away from the sound of the woman that loves you

You could be my silver springs

My blue green colors flashin

© Dudley Warner - All Rights Reserved

(Canon 5D Mk II)

The development project (or just slogan?) for Silver Spring: "Silver Sprung".

This is the last (I think) in my set of photos from a short afternoon of exploring Silver Spring.

A couple of weeks ago Angie (Justabird) arranged for a pontoon boat trip up the Silver River all the way into Silver Springs with a friend of hers that runs river tours. You may find information on my website about these tours and a few river scenics. The wild monkeys have been released there on an island back in the 50's, however these monkeys were good swimmers and have migrated away from their intended secluded island and can be found all along the Silver River. I'm not sure of the species but they are not very large, that is until one of them decides to jump in your boat.

View Large On Black

My selections for Artomatic 2009.

June 15, 2013 - Groundbreaking Ceremony Celebration at our new church location - 701-A Norwood Road, Silver Spring, MD 20905

Groundbreaking Ceremony for the New Silver Spring Library Building, August 30, 2010, corner of Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street.

Old but spry.

View from the soundboard, with set list.

Year Of The Snake.

A wonderful place to visit, and similar to the whirligigs in Wilson, NC, unique in the world. Come join us in our adventure...

Well this is comforting to know.

Shot through a window in the Castle. No flash. Weird spooky effect of the light from the window gives the impression of something paranormal. Closer crop. Lightened in Photoshop. Forest Glen Seminary, Silver Springs, MD, Autumn 2004

Groundbreaking Ceremony for the New Silver Spring Library Building, August 30, 2010, corner of Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street.

Playing guitar behind your head... no problem.

Preparing for the closure of Colesville Road for Purple Line construction, Silver Spring, MD

Groundbreaking Ceremony for the New Silver Spring Library Building, August 30, 2010, corner of Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street.

Groundbreaking Ceremony for the New Silver Spring Library Building, August 30, 2010, corner of Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street.

Groundbreaking Ceremony for the New Silver Spring Library Building, August 30, 2010, corner of Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street.

Photo by Mark Doore, Calverton Citizens Association.

Groundbreaking Ceremony for the New Silver Spring Library Building, August 30, 2010, corner of Wayne Avenue and Fenton Street.

The bear pictured was photographied at the Silver Springs Nature and Zoological park in Silver Springs, Florida. Silver Springs is home to the largest private bear exhibit in the US. Many bears, including 3 Kodiak bears, were circus rescues.

Silver Spring Library Grand Opening

still gives a good ride after being cleaned up and runners waxed

My first time here.