It’s hip to be helpful these days. Dave Mathews will be the next contender to launch his tour with a social-conscious effort. Last week it was Linkin Park announcing that would plant trees as part of their Projekt Revolution tour. This week Mathews announced his desire for US troops, traumatized by war, get the medical and psychiatric assistance they need when they return home. To achieve this, he has joined the movement that is pressing Congress to see that the aid is provided. Too many troops are denied help when they return to the US under the premise that they already had their mental problems when they left for combat. So, does this mean that the US government admits that a person must be deranged in order to sign up for duty in the military? According to LiveDaily news, Mathews spoke with ABC’s “This Week” program which aired last Sunday, where he stated:
It just struck me as a profound injustice that someone who had given so much of themselves and clearly showed such a quality of personality that the gratitude we’re showing them was basically a dishonorable discharge.
So true. There is a petition on the Dave Mathews Band website that has collected 23,000 sigs thus far, and there is still time to join in. ABC also did a full report on the situation, titled “Questionable Treatment for Some Iraq Heroes - Veteran Care Under Review as More Than 22,000 Are Discharged With ‘Pre-Existing’ Personality Disorder, Which Some Say Developed During War.” You can watch a fantastic video of Dave Mathew discussing his perspective and involvement in the issue over on the ABC page. (Links below)
As I mentioned, DMB is about to head out on tour:
Dave Mathews Band Tour
August 2007
1-2 - Mansfield, MA - Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts
4-5 - Hartford, CT - New England Dodge Music Center
7-8 - Camden, NJ - Tweeter Center at the Waterfront
10 - Burgettstown, PA - Post-Gazette Pavilion
11 - Bristow, VA - Nissan Pavilion at Stone Ridge
14 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center
15 - Virginia Beach, VA - Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater
17-18 - Noblesville, IN - Verizon Wireless Music Center
20 - Cuyahoga Falls, OH - Blossom Music Center
22 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center
23 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
25-26 - East Troy, WI - Alpine Valley Music Theatre
28 - Bonner Springs, KS - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
31 - George, WA - Gorge Amphitheatre
September 2007
1-2 - George, WA - Gorge Amphitheatre
8 - Atlanta, GA - Piedmont Park
9 - Randall’s Island, NY - Farm Aid (Dave Matthews solo set)
11 - Gainesville, FL - University of Florida/Stephen C. O’Connell Center
12 - Tampa, FL - Ford Amphitheatre
14-15 - West Palm Beach, FL - Sound Advice Amphitheatre
18 - Raleigh, NC - Alltel Pavilion at Walnut Creek
19 - Charlotte, NC - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
21 - The Woodlands, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
22 - Dallas, TX - Smirnoff Music Centre
25 - Phoenix, AZ - Cricket Pavilion
26 - Irvine, CA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
28 - Chula Vista, CA - Coors Amphitheatre
29 - Mountain View, CA - Shoreline Amphitheatre
October 2007
1-2 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Bowl
LINKS
Dave Mathews Band official site
Petition To Get Help For Returning Troops on DMB site
ABC News Report - including video of Dave Mathews’ story
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