FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, April 29, 2008 CONTACT: Michael Houston, IAVA (212) 982-9699 or
Charlie Wilson Joins National Afghanistan
House Party Campaign with IAVA Members More than 230 House Parties to Watch "Charlie Wilson's War" Followed by Interactive Discussion
NEW YORK - This Wednesday, April 30, more
than 230 House Parties will be held nationwide by Iraq
and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the country's first and largest
nonpartisan Iraq and Afghanistan
veterans' group, to watch "Charlie Wilson's War." House Party hosts and
participants will watch the film and join a live conference call at 9:00pm ET, with
Charlie Wilson himself, IAVA Founder Paul Rieckhoff and Nathaniel Fick, an Afghanistan
veteran and best selling author.
"More than 30,000 U.S.
troops are currently serving in Afghanistan,
but the conflict is largely overlooked by the mainstream media," said Paul
Rieckhoff, Executive Director of IAVA. "The ‘Charlie Wilson's War' house
parties provide a unique opportunity to focus on Afghanistan and what the men and
women serving there are facing."
"Charlie Wilson's War," which stars Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and Philip
Seymour Hoffman, chronicles the United States'
involvement in Afghanistan
during the Soviet Union's occupation in the
1970s and 80s. Wilson, a bachelor
Congressman from Texas know as "Good Time Charlie," used his seat on the
Defense Appropriations subcommittee to covertly steer billions of dollars
towards Afghan rebels, known as mujahedeen.
With this assistance, the mujahedeen were able to drive the Soviets out
of Afghanistan
after a decade of occupation.
"‘Charlie Wilson's War' offers a unique perspective on the current conflict
in Afghanistan
and the history of the Unites States' relationship with the country," said
Rieckhoff. "Charlie Wilson and Nathaniel
Fick's participation in Wednesday's call will make for a riveting and unique
conversation."
The focus of the conference call, which will feature a pre-recorded
introduction by the film's star, Tom Hanks, is the history of the United States' relationship with Afghanistan,
and the current situation there.
Participants are asked to submit their questions before or during the
call by emailing . To join the call, dial (866) 704-7500, pass
code 683313#. Members of the press are
welcome to join.
Charlie Wilson was a Representative of the Second District of Texas from
1973-1997. He grew up in the small town
of Trinity, Texas, and later enlisted in the U.S. Navy
where he earned the rank of lieutenant. In 1961, he ran for Texas State
Representative and was sworn in to office at age 27. Eleven years later, he was elected to the
U.S. House of Representatives from the Second District of Texas where he served
for 24 years.
Nathaniel Fick is the author of The New York Times best-seller, "One
Bullet Away: The Making of a Marine Officer," which describes his
experiences in the United States Marine Corps.
As a Marine, Fick served as an infantry officer in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2007, he served as an instructor at the Afghanistan Counter-insurgency
Academy in Kabul.
Fick's writing has appeared in publications including the New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Los
Angeles Times.
Iraq
and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org)
is the nation's first and largest group for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A non-profit and
nonpartisan organization, IAVA represents more than 85,000 veteran members and
civilian supporters in all 50 states. To arrange an interview with Paul
Rieckhoff, Nathaniel Fick, or any other IAVA member veteran, please contact
Michael Houston at (212) 982-9699 or .
