Operation Truth calls on USA Next to stop using troops as its "mascot," and tying support for the troops to fights over Social Security, Same-Sex Marriage
NEW YORK -- Operation Truth today sent a scathing letter to the Chairman and CEO of USA Next, demanding that the retirees' organization immediately cease running of an ad that uses an image of an American servicemember. The ad, titled "The REAL AARP Agenda" features a picture of a troop with a red "X" through it, and a picture of a same-sex wedding with a green check mark.
"Your ad is -- at best -- absurd and offensive to those of us who served and are currently serving in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom," Operation Truth Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff wrote in the letter. "Our patriots fighting overseas are not your mascot, and you cheapen their brave efforts by attempting to use them as such."
In the letter, Rieckhoff objected to the use of troop imagery on three grounds. First, the ad conveys the idea that those who hold different positions on Social Security privatization or same-sex marriage than USA Next do not support the troops. Rieckhoff said that type of assertion does not further unify the nation to support our troops. Second, Rieckhoff said the use of troops as a "mascot" for USA Next cheapens their efforts and sacrifice. Third, Rieckhoff noted that AARP's membership includes large numbers of Veterans from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, and it is absurd to suggest they are not supportive of the troops.
While Rieckhoff was clear that Operation Truth would not wade into the Social Security debate, and did not object to USA Next's right to battle the AARP, the ad is clearly over the line in its treatment of America's heroes.
"If anything in this debate is patently anti-troop it is your internet ad, and we demand that you immediately and permanently remove it from websites, and cease any plans place it elsewhere on the internet or to bring it to print or television," wrote Rieckhoff.
Operation Truth is the nation's first and largest Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans' organization. The national non-profit's mission is to amplify the voice of the troops, connect them with the American people, and give people the means to tangibly support the troops.
A fullcopy of the letter to USA Next is below.
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Mr. Charles W. Jarvis
Chairman and CEO
USA NEXT
3900 Jermantown Road #450
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Dear Mr. Jarvis,
I am writing to you in my capacity as the Founder and Executive Director of the nation's first and largest Iraq Veterans organization, Operation Truth, and as a Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom --a war in which I served honorably, and in whichI was decorated.
On behalf of the Veterans Operation Truth represents, I demand that you immediately cease running USA Next's most recent internet banner ad (and any associated ads) entitled "The Real AARP Agenda."
The ad, which links to your organization's website, indicates that the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) does not support the troops, because of its opposition to the President's proposal on Social Security reform. Further, the graphics lead a viewer to believe that supporting the troops is also somehow linked to opposing same-sex marriage. Nothing contained in your banner ad is expanded upon, either in the ad or the website.
My organization takes no position on Social Security privatization, nor on same-sex marriage (or other issues of importance to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community at-large). However, your ad is -- at best -- absurd and offensive to those of us who served and are currently serving in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Right now, the troops need to have the support of every American, and we believe they do have that support, regardless of any American's personal feeling on the issues of Social Security and same-sex marriage. Your ad is destructive in that it attempts to convey that any group or persons opposing your side of both those arguments is not supporting the troops. That is patently false and pernicious and only serves to tell whole segments of the American public that certain people are incapable of supporting the troops because of unrelated beliefs. This is hardly the type of unifying language that would benefit efforts to support our troops.
Secondly, your organization should be ashamed for using imagery of the our heroes to further your political agenda on retiree and cultural issues. Our patriots fighting overseas are not your mascot, and you cheapen their brave efforts by attempting to use them as such.
Finally, though our group does not support or aid the AARP in their efforts, it must be noted that their membership represents large numbers of Vietnam Veterans, Korea Veterans, and the "Greatest Generation," our World War II Veterans. To suggest that any one of those members who belong to the fraternity of Veterans thatI belong to somehow does not support our current servicemembers is detestable.
We do not question your right to support the President's plan on Social Security, nor do we ask that you stop attacks on the AARP. That is none of our business. However, where the troops are concerned, we must speak out. If anything in this debate is patently anti-troop it is your internet ad, and we demand that you immediately and permanently remove it from websites, and cease any plans place it elsewhere on the internet or to bring it to print or television.
Respectfully,
