by Nancy Lessin
Remarks Presented by Nancy Lessin, Co-founder, Military Families Speak Out, at “Make Peace with Iran” Event at Senators Markey’s and Warren’s Boston Offices; July 7, 2026
I’m Nancy Lessin, co-founder of Military Families Speak Out, a national organization of military families founded in 2002, speaking out to prevent and end unjustifiable wars and military actions. My stepson served in the Marines in Iraq, deployed to kill or be killed in a war that should never have happened. Four days ago, on July 4th, 2026, Veterans, active duty members and military families — members of About Face-Veterans Against the War, Veterans For Peace, Common Defense, 50501-Vets, Center on Conscience and War, Fayetteville Resistance Coalition and Military Families Speak Out — gathered in Philadelphia in the 104 degree heat to march and speak out against fascism and illegal wars at home and abroad. Here’s the speech given by Military Families Speak Out member Johnny Odom at that event:
“My name is Johnny Odom; I’m a retired Army Sergeant 1st class, a combat Veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, a 3rd generation Mexican-American, a patriot, and most importantly a parent of a service member who is currently deployed to Jordan since the beginning of this war with Iran.
“Today I stand before all of you as a father and speak on behalf of Military Families Speak Out and the millions and millions of Veterans and their family members to denounce this illegal and unjustified war against the people of Iran; the misutilization of American forces without Congressional approval and most importantly the peoples’ approval – and bring awareness to the exact toll these endless wars take on the working families who believe in service to their country.
“During my multiple deployments I couldn’t tell you in Iraq and Afghanistan what we actually achieved. I can’t tell you, other than the destruction and the violence. When I found out my son was deploying I was totally devastated. I’m sure all the other Veterans here who are parents – who have kids – son, daughters, wives, husbands who are deployed feel the same as I do -totally devastated by the bullshit. My world was turned totally upside down – I couldn’t sleep, eat – everything was based on my son being in combat.
“Our safety here -our security – cannot be achieved through brutality. We have all these wars – we have five generations of wars and we still haven’t figured that out. There has to be another way to achieve peace other than dropping bombs on people. No longer can we accept what is being done to our military members, our citizens, and the people of this world that we have waged illegal wars upon.
“We must work to achieve peace through reasonable dialogue, compassion and respect for humanity. No longer can we as Veterans and families of service members accept another generation of our sons and daughters being sent off to endless wars around the world. The generational trauma that is created by these endless wars must stop now.
“We as a nation are faced with another generation of Veterans returning home to VA hospitals that are understaffed and underfunded and lack the resources to deal with the physical, mental and moral ruins of the last 25 years of conflict.
“Today I am charging each and every Veteran and military family member in this country to stand up and become an active member in restoring the standards and traditions that make this country unique as a nation of immigrants.
“We are at a crossroads, people; we can choose to build and fight for the country that we all deserve or let the corrupt wealthy few steer us down the path to ruin. We are here because we are committed to a nation that takes care of all of us – remembers that – we are here for all of us! Thank you.”
So said Johnny Odom on July 4th, 2026 – and so say we all! Senators Markey and Warren, please do more to end this atrocity! Thank you.