VETERANS FOR PEACE Organized locally. Recognized internationally.

FALL 2015 Sharing Lifetime Membership in VFP Peace

Doug Rawlings As the interim editor of our For Peace. Or consider quarterly newsletter, I have for a moment giving to a been asked to encourage very special person, as you, dear readers, to please Frank Corcoran did the think of signing up for a Life- night of our banquet. time Membership. Frank, an American That got me to thinking War in Vietnam veteran, about our last convention in presented a Lifetime San Diego, and in particular Membership to an hon- about our Saturday night ban- ored guest at the con- quet. We were blessed to vention, Le Ly Haslip, hear from the likes of Phyllis author of When Heaven Bennis, Ray McGovern, Sey- and Earth Changed mour Hersh, and Beau Berg- Places: A Vietnamese dahl's dad, Bob, as the even- Woman's Journey from ing rolled on. But what sticks War to Peace. in my mind now is the brilliant Listen to the words of gambit that the incomparable four esteemed col- Doug Zachary conjured up. leagues who were As the staff person most graced with a lifetime responsible for developing a VFP Lifetime Members (clockwise from top right): membership that fateful strong membership base Ann Wright, Chuck Searcy, Seymour Hersh, and evening in San Diego within VFP, he popped up on Kourtney Mitchell. and think of how your the stage throughout the special loved one might evening encouraging us to daughter, granddaughter or grandson. acknowledge your gift: not just sign up for a Lifetime What a great way to weave your family Membership for ourselves, legacy into the heart and soul of Veterans (Continued on page 4) but to think of GIVING a Life- time Membership to another IN THIS ISSUE: deserving person. Brilliant. Think of it -- giving a VFP Activism & Artistry……....…..5 Project RENEW & USAID...9 Lifetime Membership to your Electoral Politics……….….....6 Book Review………....…..18 mom or dad, to your beloved uncle or aunt, to your son or March Across America……...8 Poetry………...... ………….19

VFP Newsletter Fall 2015 1

From the President

Barry Ladendorf

I want to thank Doug Rawlings, a the discussion of war and peace founding member of VFP and VFP’s our unique perspective as veter- first ever poet laureate, for acting as ans who have served in every war the interim editor of our quarterly from World War II to the present newsletter and putting together this endless wars in the Middle East. very special edition. Our collective judgment is that war and violence must end or the Three of our primary goals this world as we know it surely will year have been to: (1) increase end. What place does the peace membership; (2) spread the mes- movement occupy and what path sage of VFP; and (3) financially should it take to tackle these all strengthen our organization. The too critical issues? Board and VFP staff have been imple- menting plans which already have Last week VFP Vice-President, Chuck Searcy, a new LIFETIME begun to meet these goals. Gerry Condon, VFP Executive Di- rector, Michael McPhearson, and I member, tells us what being a LIFE- We anticipate that with the contin- participated in a conference call TIME member means to him. ued collaborative efforts of VFP with several peace organizations If you are not a LIFETIME mem- members, realization of these goals to begin the process of trying to ber, please consider becoming one. will ultimately transform VFP into a determine how to most effectively Perhaps you have a deserving leading peace organization in the revitalize the peace movement. member in your chapter, a family world. The involved organizations look to member, or a veteran who is not yet MEMBERSHIP: Through the lead- VFP to lead in this effort. Hopeful- a member whom you would like to ership of Tarak Kauff, VFP has con- ly, as this process evolves, we will honor with a LIFETIME membership. tinued to aggressively bring more find new and innovative ways to As LIFETIME members we are post-911 veterans into its fold. At galvanize the peace movement bound together with the 30 year his- this year’s convention in San Diego, and bring along a broad new coali- tory of VFP and to LIFETIME mem- we nearly doubled the number of tion of peace activists. bers who have gone before us and younger veterans in attendance. For For 30 years VFP has sought to those yet to come. the first time in several years, we dismantle the war economy, Thanks to each of you for your even experienced a slight increase fought against the increasing hold continuing support of VFP. You con- in our membership. In 2015, we also the military-industrial complex has tinue to amaze me with your com- added two new foreign chapters: gained in our government and ex- mitment to VFP and the cause of Ireland and Mexico. Okinawa may posed the damage to our environ- peace. Your energy and enthusiasm be added to this list perhaps by ment caused by our military ad- constantly motivate me in all my year’s end. venturism. We are the voice of work as VFP President. It has been SPREADING THE WORD: Now those here and abroad who cannot a great pleasure to have met so more than ever the voice of VFP is speak out against U.S. aggres- many of you. I hope to meet and needed. The world’s two largest nu- sion, or who have found their voic- work with more of you in the future. clear powers (Russia and the U.S.) es ignored. To ensure that our face off in the Ukraine and Syria; voice rings louder and clearer we tensions between Israelis and Palestini- need your continued activism and ans appear to be rising; the U.S., in what financial support. appears to be a violation of international FINANCIAL: To expand VFP humanitarian law, bombed the Doctors membership and increase our abil- Newsletter Staff Without Borders Hospital in Afghanistan; ity to spread our message, we and now President Obama, in spite of need to substantially increase our Doug Rawlings, Interim Editor his pledge to end the war in Afghan- financial resources. How might [email protected] istan, has ordered troops to remain you increase your financial contri- Contributing Editor in Afghanistan beyond the end of his bution to our efforts? One avenue W.D. Ehrhart second term. is to become a LIFETIME member The voice of VFP has always of VFP. (Donation of $1000 in any been a voice of reason. We bring to 12 month span.) On page four, 2 VFP Newsletter Fall 2015

From the Executive Director

Michael McPhearson In late 2002, I began organizing peace protest was an early sum- with Veterans For Peace, shortly mer 2001 Peace Action event near after hearing then VFP National the White House against the re- President David Cline speak in a start of “Star Wars” or the National forum about civil liberties after 9-11. Defense Missile systems proposed If one person is responsible for influ- by George Bush Jr., but I still had encing me to join VFP, it was Cline, not fully made the connection be- however it was something more fun- tween domestic and international damental to VFP than my admira- peace. Later that summer only tion for him that convinced me to sign weeks before September 11, while up. It was the radical name of Veterans walking to a World of Difference For Peace with the capital “F” and Anti-Defamation League training at meeting so many awesome mem- their NYC headquarters across bers. from the United Nations, I was confronted by a protestor holding a a veteran for peace, and I’m a vet After I left active duty in 1992, I sign declaring 500,000 children embarked on a journey, working working for peace. Being for peace had died as a result of U.S. eco- was where I had already decided to with groups like the NAACP, the nomic sanctions on Iraq. I had nev- People’s Organization for Progress, stand. Over the next 5 years work- er seen this before. The infor- ing with Cline, he drove home, the Organization for Black Struggle, mation was like a knife in my heart. and the ACLU to find my place in “CAPATALIZE the “F” in Veterans My war was the start of those For Peace.” At times I would forget the struggle for justice. But of all the sanctions. I felt partly responsible groups I worked with before VFP, and he would berate me so that for those deaths and all the ac- now I cringe when I see it done the National Conference for Com- companying suffering. I had to take munity and Justice, formally known wrong. And a lowercase f is wrong. action. But how? I could not aban- Not only because “For” is in our offi- as the National Conference of Chris- don working against police brutali- tians and Jews, did the most to help cial name, but because we empha- ty, racism, sexism, general xeno- size that we are for peace. me better understand how intercon- phobia and other issues that di- nected we all are in this struggle. rectly impact me and people I Veterans For Peace is at its heart NCCJ’s mission is to fight all know and love. Yet I had a responsibil- an anti-war organization. Our State- forms of bias, bigotry and racism. ity to myself and the people of Iraq. ment of Purpose calls on us to abol- ish war. Confronting war and milita- They confront these ills through dia- Of course, planes were flown logue and building respect and un- rism in all its forms must remain our into the World Trade Center and primary focus. Yet, we are more. derstanding. I was drawn to the or- the Pentagon sending me down a ganization because I was looking for We are not Veterans Against War. path of resisting U.S. global wars. We advocate for justice for veterans effective ways to confront racism, But all the injustices faced at home and I was beginning to see connec- and victims of war and our State- by my community, the women in ment calls on us to serve the cause tions to other struggles. I was quick- my life and my son remained. My ly exposed to a plethora of stories of world peace. Because it is clear eyes had been opened to the that the absence of war is not and challenges faced by a host of struggle of others and now I clearly communities. Through dialogue, ed- peace, we must work for world saw how this global system divides peace by taking part in the global ucation and deep self-reflection, I us and pits us against each other. began to see a pattern of how op- struggle for justice both at home The 9-11 “attacks” and the after- and abroad. To do this we must be pression works and the role I per- math is a tragic illustration. For 14 sonally play in oppressing others. I leaders in opposing war and milita- years the U.S. has been in a global rism and an co-conspirators in the realized that we are the answer to racist war that pits predominately change and that we all are confront- struggle for justice. This is the for- young and poor people of the U.S. mula for struggling for peace. ing the same monsters of hate, self- against poor and dark-skinned doubt and pain but with different fac- people around the globe to control “No justice, no peace” is not a hol- es. This understanding brought me resources and acquire and maintain low slogan. It is an axiom to live and to work for peace, not by opposing power, money and privilege. struggle by. So, don’t forget to capi- war, rather by struggling for justice. talize the “F” in Veterans For All this was in my head when I Peace. It’s what sets us apart. By this time I had begun to look at heard Cline talk about Veterans the traditional peace movement try- For Peace. I remembering being ing to fully see connections. My first impressed and thinking this guy is VFP Newsletter Fall 2015 3

Ann Wright Chuck Searcy

Ann Wright: "I am proud to be a member, a Lifetime Mem- ber, of Veterans for Peace be- cause it asks its members to use their experiences in the military to mobilize the commu- nity to pressure our govern- ment to resolve international security challenges with dia- logue and diplomacy, not through violence and war."

Chuck Searcy: "I was very Seymour Hersh Kourtney Mitchell honored and I'm extremely grateful to Ann Wright for her generous gift to me of a Lifetime VFP Membership. I can't think of anyone whose consideration

and support are more important to me than Ann's. She is a guid- ing light and an inspiration for all of us VFP members. The Life- time Membership is something I view as a binding commitment to VFP and the ideals and the mission on which this organiza- tion has been built. I regard it as an investment not just in VFP and the principles which contin- We journalists can be im- Kourtney Mitchell: “For me ue to sustain this organization, portant, but we are not the real being a lifetime member of VFP but as an investment also in my thing. We report on war...but is a way I can commit to work- fellow members and our shared we are not in it. The respect ing for social justice in an orga- commitment to end America's belongs to those Americans nized manner, with the support wars and bring about true who jumped on trucks or heli- of other activists and allies. peace. I can think of no finer copters and moved out to kill VFP has cultivated a communi- challenge or opportunity than to and be killed in the name of ty of people who care about use my Lifetime membership as America. It takes a special peace and have experience a platform to bring others to un- courage and integrity to have with working for peace. Lifetime derstand that peace is not an been in the system, to have wit- membership is a commitment option just to be talked about nessed the good and the bad, to continue working with this idealistically -- it is something and to decide that the right community and it is the faith that can be achieved." thing to do to insist that Ameri- that our work can influence ca's future wars, if any, be for change on a social level. VFP Please consider bestowing a the right reasons, and at the is a wonderful example of how lifetime membership on a loved right time. I am honored to be a to mobilize resources and ideas one today -- a gift that keeps on lifetime member of the VFP. and amplify our voices." giving.... Thank you!

Lifetime Membership of $1000 can be set up in Quarterly payments of $250 or monthly payments of $84. Please contact Doug Zachary at his email address ([email protected]) or by phone (512-549-3530) or cell (512-629-3812).

4 VFP Newsletter Fall 2015

Activism & Artistry

with Becky Luening

When I set out to find a VFP in Hanoi in March 1996 on the member who can tell us how to eve of VFVP's international combine artistic vision and politi- meeting, I continued his work cal activism, I immediately with the Friendship Village, and thought of Becky Luening, com- have traveled to Viet-nam on munity organizer, peace activist five separate occasions begin- and artist. If you have attended ning in 2002. recent VFP conventions, you In 1997, I became acquaint- couldn't miss the vortex of ener- ed with S. Brian Willson who gy that she generates. As a had fasted in 1986 with Friend- guide for those of us with similar ship Village founder George interests, I asked Becky to tell us Mizo to protest US policies in a little about what makes her Central America. Later we continue on as one of VFP's stel- moved together to Arcata, and lar associate members. Here's then to Portland, Oregon. I what she has to say: reconsidering where I can most deepened my involvement with effectively apply my activist en- The bulk of my activist work VFP as I better understood US ergy. I seem to be at a cross- has been organizing, conven- wars and imperialist ways, roads, and can see myself light- ing and facilitating meetings, and while meeting many interesting ening up organizational commit- special events including film ments in order to concentrate on screenings, talks, simple theatri- individual expression. cal productions, and fundraisers. I helped organize Earth Day in I struggle to affirm that I am an Santa Cruz in 1990; I founded a artist—a printmaker, bookmak- WILPF branch in Arcata, Califor- er, collage artist, aspiring water- nia in 2004; and in 2005 on the color painter—and to find the thirtieth anniversary of the end of time, the raison d’etre for art- the Viet Nam War, and thirty-fifth making. A sense of mission anniversary of the Kent State helps. One project completed in and Jackson State massacres, I 2014 is a series of postcards I helped organize a four-day teach designed and printed to up-end that maddening, false slogan, -in at Humboldt State. I was a Art work by Becky Luening. lead organizer of the 2011 VFP 'Freedom isn't free.' convention in Portland, Oregon. activist people from around the The pressure to produce is Many other experiences have world. lessened when I consider crea- taught me that small actions and Along with other skills honed tive expression as my life's pro- events are as worth doing as during 20-plus years as a self- ject, whether I am making art large ones. employed typist, I am a strong objects, growing a garden, tell- My involvement with Veterans writer. Sometimes I think of ing stories, or preparing food. I For Peace began with myself as a communications also believe the creative pro- the Vietnam Friendship Village specialist. My resistance to ac- cess is as important as the end Project(VFVP) through my first quiring a handheld device is result. husband, Jeff 'Paco' Huch. Not a now causing me trouble, In 2011, I letterpressed hun- veteran himself, he had volun- though, as I still conduct most dreds of broadsides—three vari- teered with VFVP at the behest of my communications via ations featuring Howard Zinn of Ruben Gomez, a member of email from my laptop, while quotes with titles, “Resistance”, the 'Wage Peace' VFW Post other people, especially young- “Resilience”, and “Nonviolent 5888 in Santa Cruz. After Paco er folks, are texting much died of cardiac arrest in his sleep more. Now in my late 50s, I am (Continued on page 8) VFP Newsletter Fall 2015 5

Activism & Electoral Politics

with Mike Ferner

as VFP members become suc- "what's that got to do with city cessful local politicians. I sent government?" To which I re- him a series of questions. Here's spond, well, not much except for an edited version of his respons- the fact that it's our money. es: Another example on a state- 1). How did you get involved in wide basis, at least for Ohio and politics in the first place? likely other states, is the Local Government Fund that rebates When I was 12 and working in tax money to cities, schools and the fields I saw first hand the libraries. Governor Kasich and conditions that migrant farm- the Republican legislature decid- workers lived in. I did the tradi- ed a few years ago to chop the tional thing as recommended by hell out of it. Toledo gets $13 my mother, and called my con- MILLION less from the LGF this gressman. Surprisingly, a week year than we did just five years later two dept. of labor reps ago. Federal "Block Grants" were at my house wanting to have also shrunk over the years In case you haven't heard, see the camp. A small amount as more money is shifted to the Mike Ferner, longtime VFP of improvement was ordered war machine. Where our money member and former Executive and I was hooked on activ- is really going is never talked Director, is running for mayor of ism. What got me to run for of- about in local elections here. So Toledo, Ohio. And he has a fice was my frustration with the just putting it on the table makes good chance of winning. He disconnected idiocy and monu- our campaign stand out. came close back in 1993, run- mental timidity I saw in so many ning as a seasoned city council- politicians. A related question from report- ers goes, "What qualifications do man, and now he has returned But I need to add that electoral with fire in his belly. you have to be mayor?" as if one politics is not the most important should be a businessperson, at- Let me tell you a story that will kind of political action. We need torney, real estate agent etc. in convince you that Mike has the to change the culture from the order to run a city. I respond by political savvy to carry this off, bottom up and building relation- using the example of the LGF mainly because he possesses ships in grassroots organiza- and extrapolating it to national that one quality a politician tions is still vitally important. priorities by saying one of the needs -- he knows how to work a There is a place for electoral things I will do as mayor will be room. So, after a long day of politics, but it shouldn't be over- to put an organizer on staff to meeting as national board mem- rated. If you have an elected work with every city government bers in San Francisco a few official that comes from a peo- in the state and from there the years back, Mike and I hop into ples' movement, remembers neighborhood groups and others a cab and head out for a bar from whence they came and will who should be incensed about across from the iconic City work as an integrated part of the the LGF disappearing, and raise Lights Bookstore. It's late but ongoing movement, that can be holy hell in Columbus. Mike insists on stopping at a piz- very useful. But we don't see za joint and buying a large, load- much of that in U.S. politics. Knowing little if anything about what an organizer is, I got re- ed pie. I tell him I'm not hungry; 2). How do you work internation- he shrugs me off, leads the way sponses like, "You mean like an al or national issues into a local attorney or lobbyist?" into this bar that neither one of campaign? us has ever been in before, and I respond, "No, as an organiz- promptly yells out: "Anyone want Toledo taxpayers will send $190 MILLION to the Pentagon er. Somebody who will educate a slice of pizza?" Instant friends and mobilize government offi- are made. The night unfolds be- this year. The city budget to re- fore us pave our crumbling streets is cials and citizens to demand jus- $14 MILLION. That fact alone tice on this issue. And when let- So, for this issue of our news- smacks people right in the ters and phone calls don't work, letter, I thought I'd pick Mike's face. Of course, the typical re- we'll take buses full of people to brain about how, exactly, can we sponse from cynical reporters is Columbus and sit in like they did in Wisconsin a few years ago." 6 VFP Newsletter Fall 2015

One reporter who still has a campaign HQ to take out yard the Great Lakes. Our people are hard time getting past the felony signs. We didn't see them for the first to get laid off in a reces- convictions I got for tagging an the next three days and they sion and the last to be re- overpass with "Troops Out Now!" wound up getting married after hired. The city's budgets reflect asked "And would you lead that the election. that. Hard times are all too fa- protest?" Taking a cue from miliar. So that gives a candi- Donald Trump, I reply that date, if he or she has the it will be the biggest, best, gumption which almost most successful sit-in Ohio none have, to cut loose and has ever seen. tell it like it is, maybe more so than elsewhere. 3). How do you put togeth- er an effective public rela- Again, as VFP members tions campaign? all understand since we're aware of the big picture -- Of course that varies by when trillions of our tax dol- city as well, but never un- lars are used to rain death derestimate the value of on innocent people, we "earned media," something know we're forfeiting the activists know all about. ability to build the kind of I’m sure the other candi- life we deserve; we know dates are raising gobs how empire and militarism more money than I am and pollute our culture and pre- they do get out to the large pub- 5). How do you handle nega- vent peoples' better natures from lic events, but none of them have tive attacks on your positions? shining forth. So I think we just done what we routinely do, pick plain know what's chicken shit a good issue and once or twice a Immediately, factually and and what's not. week hold a thoughtful, well- with a bit of humor when possible. researched news conference, at 8). So, okay, how do you run a 6). How does being a veteran door-to-door campaign? an interesting place, with good influence your political cam- visuals. How many times have paigns? This is a whole story in itself we stood on our ear and spit and if anybody is serious about nickels so reporters would cover Externally, it provides a lim- trying it, let me know...after No- a story about the war or milita- ited amount of additional credi- vember 3. rism? We've got a lot of practice bility in some settings. Person- at being p.r. agents. ally, it provides me with unlim- ited motivation and pur- 4). How do you get volunteers to Editor’s Note: There you have pose. All I have to do is recall it. The master has spoken. In help you? (Note: Mike inserts for a moment what I saw as a tongue in cheek) five years I expect to have ten of hospital corpsman from '69 us follow Mike's lead, to have ten Usually large bribes but this to'73 and I can put aside the cities run by VFP members pre- year the budget won't allow trivial discouragements and get paring to mount gubernatorial it. We find that mass quantities to work. campaigns, and in a decade to of mind altering substances work 7). Is there anything unique have taken over this country. nearly as well. about doing your work in a Our first actions will be to en- Once they volunteer they see Midwest city? force the Kellogg- Briand Act, to convert war munitions factories what a great bunch of people Perhaps. Except for my time they're working with and they're into solar panel shops, and to buy in the Navy and a year after- everyone in our states a pizza. hooked. Again, VFP members wards when I lived in the Bay have seen this happen all the Area, I've always been in this time, but many otherwise good- part of the country, so keep hearted people don't know about that in mind. But I know that the social benefits of activism this is a working class town until they're experienced it. I still that has been hit terribly hard remember from '93 when two by deindustrialization like just good friends of mine met at the every older, industrial city on

VFP Newsletter Fall 2015 7

(Luening Continued from page 5)

Revolution”—and everyone who came to the VFP convention in March Across America Portland that year got one as a souvenir. I envisioned the prints Michael Clift serving as points of connection between all the people who would eventually take them home and hang them on their walls. This project continues to ripple out; I was happy to learn that a 'Resilience' print I donated to a silent auction at last year's SOAW vigil brought in $400, and now the US Library of Congress may acquire a set of these prints as part of a Combat Paper ex- hibit collection.

What keeps me going? Cer- tain themes I circle around to in The bike Michael is riding across the U.S. my mind help keep me centered. MARCH ACROSS AMERICA (MAA) is U.S. Army veteran and Rhythm is one — movement in VFP "Nomad" Michael Clift's ongoing public awareness cam- relation to time and space. Visu- paign to promote the Veterans For Peace message as well as alizing myself as being connect- reach those veterans who "have fallen through the cracks." One ed to the space outside my body focus of the MAA is to honor veterans who have dedicated their and to others through that space post deployment lives to activism within the peace and justice has been a powerful exercise for movement. The first honoree of Michael's project was the vener- me. I find the mysteries of con- able and controversial Scott Camil, and this year Michael will nection and the challenges of present a VFP flag to the family of Jacob George, the brother we community equally engaging, lost in September 2014, and whose memory and dedication to and activism grounded in affinity peace we hope to preserve. makes great sense to me. Meanwhile, I continue to work Michael's journey will take him from the teargas stained streets on expanding my capacity for of Oakland, CA through the deserts of the Southwest where our love and compassion, gratitude indigenous brothers and sisters are fighting against mining cor- and forgiveness—for myself, for porations and struggling to preserve and protect their sacred others, for the whole world. lands and rivers and on through Texas and Oklahoma where he will act as a "force multiplier" in the struggle against tarsands and As for the future, an IVAW environmental degradation before arriving in Fayetteville to hon- tenth-anniversary portfolio print or Jacob by presenting the VFP flag to his family on the eve of hanging on my art-room door the new year, a year in which we foresee yet more struggle as lists ten war resisters along with we continue to "Wage Peace" against US Imperialism and corpo- this Stéphane Hessel quote: 'To rate hegemony within the government and our communities. you who will create the twenty- first century, we say, with affec- You can support the March Across America when it comes to tion: To create is to resist. To your town, sign the flag and donate, provide lodging, or get on resist is to create.' Resistance to your bike and ride! Please contact Michael Clift at occupirate@ one thing naturally creates gmail.com. space for the existence of some- thing else. Acting to create the new paradigm is a form of re- want, then what is the point of rational fellow editor of Peace sistance to the old ways. As Bob our resistance?" In Our Times. May we all be Dylan sang, 'He who is not busy blessed by having someone like being born is busy dying.' If we Editor’s Note: I might add, by Becky Luening working with us are not willing to simultaneously in our local chapters. work on creating the future we the way, that Becky is an inspi- 8 VFP Newsletter Fall 2015

Diverse Voices: VFP, Project Renew & US AID

Many times over the years of our existence, VFP members have gone toe-to-toe over issues of great concern to all of us.. And now we are somewhat consumed by the USAID question -- should VFP act as the fiscal spon- sor of grant monies, through Project Renew, that comes from USAID? At our last convention in San Diego, this issue was the most contentious under consideration at our business meeting and both sides presented impas- sioned and oftentimes eloquent statements in support of their viewpoints. To some members this debate is disconcerting. It indicates to them that we are an organization that is fractur- ing apart. Au contraire. I think it represents further evidence that we are capable of operating under a large tent. We are a "tribe" of malcontents, for sure -- many of us dyed-in-the-wool "non-joiners", so of course we fight like cats and dogs. We care. We are activists. We refuse to stand aside when we perceive injustice taking hold, es- pecially when it is the U.S. military doing the dirty work. Early on in the debate, I foolishly represented my stance as "taking the moral high ground," implying that those who disagreed with me were somehow morally inferior. I apologize for such foolishness. Really, what we are talking about here is a strategic dilemma -- should we or should we not step into this arena? I think the best way to decide for ourselves is to listen to two of our most esteemed members, Brian and Chuck, both of whom are American War in Vietnam veterans. They disagree. Here is what they have written. Doug Rawlings

BRIAN WILLSON: CIA. During the U.S. War against providing funds for various Vietnam- Background: The Board of Veterans Viet Nam, AID’s “humanitarian” ese projects, while enjoying joint For Peace, by a majority vote, has efforts included being CIA cover in military exchanges at the port of Da- agreed to serve as fiscal sponsor such functions as operating pris- nang. Viet Nam is now seeking fight- for Project RENEW in Viet Nam in ons, including secret, brutal “tiger er jets and drones from US contrac- order to receive government grant cages”, and training police and jail- tors as part of the US “Pivot” to Asia. monies to be funneled through the ers leading to torture and murder US companies such as Monsanto US Agency for International Devel- of countless Vietnamese. (remember Agent Orange?) are now promoting GMO and herbicide- opment (USAID). This new role for 2. The US owes billions of repara- based agribusiness in Viet Nam. VFP has been very contentious tions dollars to the Vietnamese for among members, including mem- unspeakable damage criminally 5. The VFP board decision to serve bers of the Board. inflicted during the war. Repara- as a fiscal sponsor for USAID funds VFP Ballot: VFP members will re- tions should be appropriated direct- is understandably a contentious and ceive a mailed ballot in late Octo- ly by the US to the Vietnamese divisive issue within the VFP mem- ber/early November that includes government. bership. Resolution 2015-08, Veterans For 3. Project RENEW is an exemplary The ISSUE: Is Veterans For Peace Peace Should Have No Relation- 15-year old project in Quang Tri an appropriate organization to seek, ship with USAID. I urge a vote FOR Province run by highly competent accept or sponsor US government this Resolution which would prohib- Vietnamese leading to dramatic funds, including from AID? I argue it VFP from having a relationship reduction in annual deaths from that such decision threatens VFP’s with USAID for any purpose. Unexploded Ordnance (UXO). impeccable credibility while serious- Facts: It currently enjoys substantial finan- ly weakening its position as one 1. Despite USAID (1961-present) cial partner/donor relationships of the fiercest, independent activist representing itself as “the lead US with the Vietnamese government, critics of US domestic and foreign Government agency that works to US State Department, Norwegian policies. People’s Aid, and a variety of inter- end extreme global poverty and en- Discussion: national corporate and private con- able resilient, democratic socie- 1. It is noteworthy that some organi- tributors. ties”, its dark history discloses in zations, such as Doctors Without fact its role as an intrinsic compo- 4. Viet Nam and the United States Borders, absolutely prohibit seeking nent of US policy of “full spectrum are two of twelve members of the or accepting funds from govern- dominance” overseeing “humanitar- Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), ments or their granting agencies. ian” projects, often in shadowy affili- ironically are now allies in US poli- (Continued on page 10) ations with agencies such as the cy to contain China. The US is VFP Newsletter Fall 2015 9

(Continued from page 9) 5. VFP possesses a reputation for through USAID. The controversial being brutally honest in its critique decision is understandably divisive This is to assure that there is of US patterns of unjust and dia- and contentious within national no appearance of being beholden bolical domestic and foreign poli- VFP membership, and a majority or subject to any political pressure cies, while presenting alternative vote does not resolve this divisive- to unfairly serve some recipi- perspectives. Having any funding ness. The lack of any earnest ents while ignoring others. Gran- connection whatsoever with the search for alternative fiscal spon- tors historically tend to use their US government or its agencies sors is most troubling to me since power to manipulate original intentions such as USAID, places VFP be- that avenue, it seems, would ena- due to “political” agendas. low reproach, severely limiting its ble a most reasonable and realistic fierce independence as a voice for resolution. The fact that the money 2. Since the national VFP board candor from inside the most vio- may in fact be used for good pur- does not operate by consensus, lent empire. poses is not the issue. To repeat: there appears to be no process The issue is whether VFP is an ap- by which to resolve contentious propriate fiscal sponsor for issues except to choose a policy USAID funds. By proceeding with- that pleases some members, per- out a consensus, the solidarity of haps a majority, while leaving a VFP is weakened, not strength- substantial minority, displeased ened. It will significantly disable and alienated. In so doing, the VFP USA’s capa-city to pro- solidarity of the group is weak- mote anti-war/pro-peace veterans ened, while preventing the likeli- groups in other countries who may hood finding more creative solu- see more clearly the compromised tions that almost always emerge integrity that choosing to operate in when a consensus process is dili- concert with monies from the US gently followed to a resolution sat- government or its agencies isfactory to all. like USAID implies. 3. The rhetorical communications between and among participants in the discussion of whether VFP Project RENEW staff in the field. CHUCK SEARCY: should pursue, or refuse, fiscal Since there will be a vote by the 6. VFP UK unanimously voted sponsorship of USAID funds, has membership on the USAID grant 170-0 to oppose any VFP USA revealed numerous examples of application, it is clear that as much association with AID, concluding a culture of war, not one of peace, accurate and factual information as that USAID’s involvement with severely breaching a spirit of non- possible should be available to VFP USA is politically part of the violence. This acrimony suggests everyone. that VFP ignores fundamental dangerous US military “Pivot to principles necessary for a peace Asia”. This relationship compro- The Project RENEW staff -- our culture to thrive. Conflicts inevita- mises VFP’s independent position Vietnamese colleagues with whom bly arise and they require practic- seriously undermining its credibil- I have worked for 14 years -- and ing mutual respect, careful listen- ity for reaching out to other global Chuck Palazzo and I, mainly, as ing, while patiently clarifying sum- communities who clearly possess VFP reps on the ground here, have maries of respective positions. a critical perspective of the US kept the VFP Board of Directors government. VFP UK Chair, Ben informed of this USAID application 4. It is not apparent that propo- Griffin, argues that a relationship process in some detail. nents of VFP who seek fiscal with USAID contravenes one key We have maintained regular con- sponsorship for AID funds have principle of the Statement of Pur- tact with the VFP Board of Direc- displayed good faith efforts to pose, “To restrain our government tors' implementation sub-group set search for other appropriate fiscal from intervening, overtly and cov- up by President Barry Ladendorf to sponsors whose constituent mem ertly, in the internal affairs of other monitor this situation on behalf of -bership would steadfastly sup- nations”. The embryonic Veterans the Board and raise any questions port sponsoring AID funds to Pro- For Peace Australia have indicat- that ought to be asked. The mem- ject RENEW. A number of spon- ed that such VFP USA position is bers of that group are Mark Fore- sors already fund Project RE- also likely to be unacceptable to man, chair; Gerry Condon; Paul NEW. In the unlikely prospect that their becoming affiliated with the Cox; Ken Mayers; VFP Exec. Dir. other fiscal sponsors cannot be latter. found, it would nonetheless not justify Michael T. McPhearson; and Barry. Conclusion: I remain stunned that VFP seeking sponsorship if an earnest The Implementation Group has the VFP board ever seriously con- minority of its membership articu- received copies of all relevant cor- sidered serving as a fiscal spon- late reasons for opposition. respondence, consisting primarily sor for funds to be administered (Continued on page 11) 10 VFP Newsletter Fall 2015 of several draft versions and a final to come back to a fundamental Nothing more has happened Concept Paper required by USAID point: the 15,000 victims of Agent since then. I have suggested to as the first step in applying for Orange in Quang Tri and their fami- the Chairman's staff that they've funds; and an itemized 5-year lies who would be targeted for help waited politely long enough, they budget plan with accompanying and support in their homes, primari- should follow up and ask for a timely detailed budget narrative and ex- ly, where their needs are greatest, response. planations keyed to each line item simply have nowhere else to turn expenditure. Those are still draft RENEW staff have not spent any versions, which will be reviewed, more time tweaking the budget tweaked, and finalized if we get the plan and budget narrative. There's go-ahead to submit them formally. no reason to. We won't do so until there is a clear signal to go forward At the Board meeting at the San with an official submission. Diego convention on the morning of August 5th, I was asked to pro- I believe we have provided all the vide an update, which I did. In es- documentation requested by the sence, I reported that the "Concept Implementation Group on behalf of Paper" we submitted was rejected the Board. We've tried to keep the by USAID because Quang Tri Board informed of any develop- Province was not listed as "eligible" ments that are noteworthy, alt- for funding under this grant. We hough there have not been many, expected that hurdle and planned Project RENEW staff in the field. and certainly none of late. to initiate a thorough discussion, as Final point, regarding so many beyond existing services, which are promised by USAID, about the rea- valid examples and arguments inadequate. The Vietnamese staff sons why Quang Tri should have about the U.S. role around the at RENEW have long felt a respon- been eligible, which the Vietnam- world and our improprieties and sibility to use the skills and exper- ese were prepared to argue quite crimes and disasters that have tise they have developed over 14 persuasively. USAID demurred at been thrown into this discussion. years in helping UXO victims, and that point and suggested that to Hardly a charge has been made to expand these efforts to serve this reverse their restriction on Quang that I don't agree with. In Vietnam population of Agent Orange vic- Tri would require considerably we spend an inordinate amount of tims. The AO victims have suffered more discussion and review. It is not a time arguing with our Vietnamese for too long, with little or no help. simple matter to change parameters in a friends about the TPP and why USAID happens to be the only con- document that has been months in they should be cautious about this duit through which U.S. government preparation, they hinted. However, deceptive deal; about the "Asia piv- assistance will come, a decision the mission director and staff point- ot" and the grave diplomatic and that is out of our hands. There is edly encouraged us to make the security imbalances that may result no other way, or in sight down the case to do that. for Vietnam; the effort to open U.S. road. Some of us continue to feel arms sales to Vietnam and the criti- At that juncture I suggested that strongly that the U.S. government cal dangers that new policy may RENEW and VFP could use this has an ethical and moral obligation portend. Our Vietnamese friends rejection as a valid reason to simp- to provide funds for this purpose. view those issues seriously as ly walk away, turn our backs on the Call it reparations or not -- it's 40 well. But on the "threat" from bureaucracy and the time spent years late and four generations USAID, as one official told me and the additional headaches that overdue. would likely ensue. The Vietnam- some months ago, "We know all ese, however, RENEW staff and Following that decision by the Vi- about USAID. We have watched provincial officials -- after discuss- etnamese to go forward, the Chair- them carefully for years. Don't wor- ing the question at length -- made man of the Provincial government ry about us. Go ahead and take the decision to go forward with the sent a letter dated July 31, 2015 to the money. Our people need your application at least until there is a USAID and one to the Vietnamese help." clear, firm refusal from USAID. The Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and So- Board endorsed that approach, and cial Affairs which is USAID's prima- Editor's note: I would recommend the members who attended a ple- ry governmental link here. The let- sharing these two points of view at nary session and voted on the ters formally requested reconsider- the chapter level. Let each chapter question supported the Board's deci- ation of the denial of Quang Tri's discuss this issue. And let us all sion by a small but clear majority. eligibility for these funds, and sug- prepare to remain Veterans For gested that a meeting of all the par- Peace, no matter the outcome of Here, let me note that amid all ties be arranged to discuss the mat- the talk about policy, politics, bu- the upcoming vote. We owe that to ter. The Chairman is still awaiting a each other and to our loved ones. reaucratic ineptitude, and sinister response from MOLISA and USAID. motives, the Vietnamese continue

VFP Newsletter Fall 2015 11

Chapter Reports

Chapter 1 - Portland, ME per and Warrior-Writers participat- luncheon in Lombard IL for an inter- ed in a reading in Military Park in national essay contest about US Richard Clement Newark. The event was spon- obeying Law against War . David sored by the Geraldine R. Dodge Swanson was keynote speaker; In July we joined with Women in Poetry Festival. In September, McKeown presented them a Kel- Black in the Old Hallowell Day Pa- member Jim Fallon, a Combat Pa- logg-Briand banner. In September rade and picked up first prize in the per artist, won first place in the we joined an anti-drone demonstra- “Spirit of Hallowell” category for our National Veterans Creative Arts tion at Fort R ipley, also spon- message of Peace! In August we Festival for his work entitled sored a benefit concert for the Ti- tabled at the 11th annual Brunswick "Orphans' Opus 68." juana Deported Veterans house. First weekend in October Peace Fair. I presented the yearly On September 26th, members we enjoyed R&R on the shores of PeaceMaker award to this year's Ken and Joann Dalton attended a Lake Superior at our annual retreat, recipient as our chapter was pre- reception for Vietnam President sharing dinner and ideas with Du- sented the award last year. Truong Tan Sang in New York luth VFP Chapter 80. In September the Blue Angels re- City. Also on that day, Chapter turned to Brunswick. As in the past, 021 provided logistical assistance the public entering the “show” were to the International Migrants Alli- met by Veterans For Peace and oth- ance which rallied and marched in er peaceful folk to protest these war NYC while the United Nations machines. At the end of September, General Assembly was in ses- the yearly Common Ground County sion. On October 11th, mem- Fair was held. Chapter 1 proudly bers attended an organizing meet- staffed our table in the Social/ ing for a New Jersey chapter of Political Action tent. The fair draws Jewish Voice for Peace. over 60,000 people for its three day Over thirty members attended Members of Ch. 27 enjoy their run. We operate a button making our annual barbecue on August annual retreat. machine for all ages to make but- 1st, where we were joined by tons of their own design, prompting guests from VVAW, MFSO, and more discussions of peace. Chapter 34, New York City. Chapter 34 - New York, NY In October, as this is being written, a Peace Walk is being undertaken Chapter 27 - Minneapolis, MN Bob Keilbach from Ellsworth, Maine to Ports- mouth, N.H. The focus is on the Mili- Mary McNellis Recent monthly speakers: Cathy tarization of the Seas. Breen discussed her recent one- month long trip to Iraq and Turkey Ex- president Larry Johnson where she visited some of the over- worked hard making the Lake Har- whelming number of Iraqi refugees. riet Peace Garden Hiroshima/ Chapter 21 - Northern NJ Bassem Tamimi, an internationally Nagasaki remembrance a suc- recognized Palestinian human cess. With his wife, Elaine, and Wendy Fisher rights activist who organizes weekly grandchildren they led the heart- nonviolent demonstrations in oppo- filled ceremony with the story of sition to illegal Israeli settlement On the Fourth of July, the chapter Sadako Peace Cranes. And bell- construction and military occupa- participated in the Teaneck Inde- ringing! To commemorate 70 tion, spoke about his work. Recent pendence Day parade, along with years after US atomic bombing of events: Hiroshima/Nagasaki Com- members of VVAW and MFSO. On Japan, Larry facilitated bringing memoration at the Japanese Con- July 25th, members attended the “From War to Reconciliation” ex- sulate, on the 70th Anniversary of Million People's March against po- hibit to the Landmark Center in St. the atomic bombing, with a peace- lice brutality held in Newark, NJ, an Paul (sister city to Nagasaki) and ful observance apologizing to the event sponsored by the People's also the film and exhibit “Pictures people of Japan, received consider- Organization for Progress. On Au- from a Hiroshima Schoolyard”. In able media coverage. Rallies were gust 4th, members of the chapter August Steve McKeown and presi- held in support of the Iran Nuclear who are also active with Combat Pa- dent Logsdon attended an award Pact at Congressional representa- 12 VFP Newsletter Fall 2015 tives ’ offices. We formed the Veter- community in remembering the true for several fund-raising events. Ad- ans Peace Walk at the Isaiah Wall, costs of war while honoring veter- ditionally, the group had applied to across from the UN, on International ans' service and sacrifice on No- march in the Armistice Day Pa- Peace Day. We held an Afghan War vember 11. rade. This request was denied by 14th Anniversary Demo at Times the defense contractor heavy com- Square Recruiting Station. Chapter mittee, CNY Veterans Parade and members participate in a monthly Chapter 50 - Northern MI Expo, which is largely comprised of Peace Vigil in Queens, and the No- organizations involved in drone re- Separate Justice Vigil at Metropoli- Tim Keenan search and production. At their tan Correctional Center. We will be meeting in October, the group will marching in the annual Armistice/ Chapter 50 has been working decide on their best course of ac- Veterans Day Parade up Fifth Ave. diligently on barring the Blue An- tion in the face of this denial. gels and Thunderbirds from per- Chapter 41 - Cape Cod, MA forming their military demonstra- Chapter 63 - Albuquerque, NM tions here in Traverse City, MI. We Duke Ellis have created door hangers (which Sally Alice Thompson we are distributing throughout the city) as a form of education to the This Fall Chapter 041 once again citizens of our community that view We had the drones quilt in Sep- gears-up for our "Voices of Peace" the war machines as entertain- tember. It was displayed at the Al- Poetry Contest and Awards Event. ment. Our long term goal is getting buquerque Center for Peace and This is year 21 for the contest which this issue on the ballot for a vote. Justice. We also had representa- has become a focal point of peace We have met with officials from tives and a table at the Labor Day and nonviolence for teachers and our schools on the possibility of picnic and the World Peace Day at young people in schools across having a presence in our schools the Albuquerque Center for Peace Cape Cod. We are grateful to the along with the military recruiters. and Justice. Some of our members large group of educators who year Again, we feel a need to educate traveled to Santa Fe to attend a after year have made this contest a the student as well as his/her par- Separation of Church and State part of their curriculum and to those ents regarding the military. presentation where Mikey Wein- who help us to fund this event. stein talked about right wing reli- VFP celebrated International gious pressures in the military. A Day of Peace for the 4th year. We number of us attended a showing hosted a sunrise ceremony with of Same Same, about Vets for music at one of our beaches. That Peace in Viet Nam, and heard Suel was followed by the Mayor pro- Jones read from his book. We can- claiming Traverse City a peace city celed our October meeting to par- (at least for a day) at the Govern- ticipate in Red Nation's demonstra- ment Center. And that was fol- tion to change Columbus Day to lowed by a 6 member panel speak- Indigenous People's Day. We wore Duke Ellis, Ch. 41, marching in Suicide ing to peace followed by q&a. The VFP shirts and carried our flag, in a Prevention Parade. event, as always, was well re- march of over 500 people. We had ceived by the community. an awards luncheon for Willard Also in September, we participat- Hunter for the many hours he's ed in a regional "Out of the Dark- The president of our Chapter spent for our chapter and for Bill ness" Suicide Prevention Walk or- attended the national conference Prinkey, who successfully lobbied ganized by local affiliates of the and screened the award winning the City Council to name a PSTD American Foundation of Suicide short documentary film “Naneek” to Awareness Day. Prevention on Cape Cod. We members and others. The film fol- staffed an information table about lowed a combat vets return to the 'Hidden Wounds' of war, and the Dakto and Hill 1338, as well as experience the Lucey family and the meeting one-on-one with the enemy. loss of their son Cpl. Jeffrey M. Lucey USMC to suicide as the re- Chapter 51 - Syracuse, NY sult of PTSD. We have decided that closer ties and more cooperative Sharon Dellinger action with that community was something we should explore. The chapter elected officers;

We will again be taking our "22 chair, vice chair, secretary and Veteran Suicides a Day" message treasurer. A tax id has been ap- with us as we join the Cape Cod plied for and plans are underway

VFP Newsletter Fall 2015 13

Chapter 71 - SonomaValley, CA Chapter members are a part of Chapter 87–Sacramento, CA the coalition working to bring a res- Bill Simon olution to the City Council that John Regier would welcome cleared-for-release Guantanamo prisoners to Portland. During this last quarter we have We debuted our 22 Suicides Eve- Maintenance at the Peace Park is tabled for VFP at a Sacramento ry Day display: 22 X’s painted ongoing. Angie Hines co-hosts a appearance of the San Francisco bright white, some with red paint- monthly veterans radio program Mime Troupe (a group of perform- splatter to represent the more vio- and Dan Shea hosts a monthly vet- ers who have staged anti-corporate lent suicides, at the annual Progres- erans TV program. and anti-imperialist plays for over sive Festival. The display includes a 40 years). We are now planning for large banner stating: 22 Veteran the upcoming Veterans Day Pa- Suicides Every Day. Although this rade. Our regularly scheduled Anti- was a progressive left-leaning fest- War Vigils continue every Wednes- ival of approximately 30 organiza- day and every Second Saturday, tions, almost no one knew that 22 and we stand with dozens of de- veterans kill themselves on aver- monstrators at monthly anti-drone age every day. We had a robust VFP presence at the Inaugural protests at Beale A.F.B near Sacra- mento. The anti-drone ad co- Dedication Ceremony of the Sebas- produced by members of our chap- topol Living Peace Wall that honors ter has been shown in many other those who have worked nonviolent- places around the nation. We also ly for peace and justice. Two-to-four Ed Pool, Ch. 72 member and World serve food monthly at a local home- names suggested by local residents War II veteran. less support organization. Some of will be added to the Peace Wall our members also work with a local each year. It is a beautiful monu- Palestinian support group are get- ment constructed of solid granite Chapter 75 - Phoenix, AZ ting involved with a new anti- topped with a large bronze peace recruiting effort symbol? We attended the first plan- Aaron Davis ning session for the 2016 National Convention to be held in Berkeley, Chapter 89 - Nashville, TN CA. We are excited to work with In August, Rick Smith, Charlie Chapter 69 and others to make the Osburn and James Lucas mobilized Harvey Bennett convention a wonderful experience at John McCain's office to support for all involved. Apache Stronghold. (Save Oak Flat) Four members attended the The epidemic of 22 veteran sui- National Convention in San Diego. cides every day has been on our Chapter 72 - Portland, OR We also tabled at the Jackson agenda with monthly vigils in front Browne Concert. of the State Capitol on the 22nd of Marian Ward each month as well as participating In September we supported VFP in a public panel on veteran suicide member Michael Clift on his bike hosted by Nashville Friends Meeting. The VFP Convention in San Die- ride from San Diego to Fayetteville, go was attended by 10 chapter Arkansas for IVAW activist Jacob Following the tragic shooting members in August, and in Septem- George, and Charlie and Katherine deaths of four marines and one ber members of the Chapter staffed Osburn hosted a pool party. We seaman at the Chattanooga Armed a table at the Vancouver (WA) also tabled at Gratitude Corner Forces Training Center in July, a Peace and Justice Fair. WWII vet- (Veterans Memorial) sponsored by group of our members traveled to eran, Will Pool, spoke at the lecture Up By Their Bootstraps. the impromptu memorial in front of on northwest conscientious objec- the Center to be a voice for peace tors during WWII at the Oregon His- to counter those issuing calls to torical Society in September. The arms and stoking anti-Muslim feelings. Chapter participated in the October We were in Oak Ridge, TN to rally and march through the City mark the 70th anniversary of the of Portland in remembrance of the th atomic bombing of Hiroshima and 14 anniversary of the beginning of the bombing in Afghanistan. The Nagasaki. We attended the Nonvio- lence Workshop and a powerful Chapter held its annual Armistice presentation Friday evening by Day ceremony on November th Transform Now Plowshares: Sister 11 downtown at Pioneer Court- Ch.75 members Dennis Stout & Char- Megan Rice, Greg Boertje-Obed house Square at 11:11 a.m. lie Osburn at convention chat with and Michael Walli. The rally and Executive Director Mcphearson. 14 VFP Newsletter Fall 2015 march to Y-12 included people from and we have been both rejuvenat- Chapter 100 - Juneau, AK around the USA and ages from 85 ed and inspired often by our young- (Sister Megan) to babies in strollers. er post-9/11 veteran members. Phil Smith We lined up across from the fence enclosing the plant, sang songs and advanced in unison to tie peace Kenny Memorial Peace Park (the cranes to the fence. park itself was dedicated in Septem- ber 2012). The colorful, whimsical, even “cartoonish” sculpture portrays an adult with a hoe and a child hold- ing a piece of bread; it is named GROWING PEACE. The statue was designed by long-time Juneau artist Jim Fowler and was funded by VFP, with assistance from other Ch. 91’s Hometown Arlington display, members of the Juneau Peace November 2014 Community and the Alaska-based Rasmuson Foundation. The dedica- Chapter 99 - Asheville, NC tion was attended by over 100 Ju- neau citizens, including the Mayor Chris Berg of Juneau, who accepted the sculp- Ch. 89 members attended Oak Ridge ture on behalf of the city. Hiroshima commemoration. Chapter 099 continues its two weekly local low-power radio Chapter 91 - San Diego, CA shows, “Political Alchemy” with Russell Johnson (ashevillefm.org), Gil Field and “Veterans Voices” with Rusty Sivils and a rotating team We enjoyed hosting the 30thannu- (wpvmfm.org). The Chapter al convention here in August and helped enable Drone Quilt exhibits thanks all 400+ workers and attend- in two Asheville locations. Mem- ers who made this convention a bers joined a Buddhist peace walk success. Since the convention, and toward a rally at the Y-12 Oak perhaps because of it, chapter Ridge nuclear weapons plant, par- Members of Ch. 100 with sculpture, members have been called upon to ticipated in a Stand Down for Growing Peace participate in a variety of local work- homeless vets, made contributions shops and seminars, where the vet- to the local shelter for homeless eran’s perspective has been veterans and participated in an action Chapter 104 - Evansville, IN sought. in support of the Iran agreement. We look forward to marching in Members supported an enlarged Caroline Nellis the San Diego Veterans Day Pa- effort to honor the International rade on November 11th, and setting Day of Peace: a gathering at the In July, John Michael O’Leary pre- up our Hometown Arlington West Food Co-op with stage, tabling pared an application, brochure and Memorial all day in front of the USS booths and speakers, and an ob- donor materials for the new $1000 Midway Museum downtown. This servance in front of City Hall, with Gary E. May Peace Scholar- memorial features headstones of a dove release, musical offerings, ship. By August, scholarship dona- the 300 local southern Californians a dance and reflections from four tions totaled $350 . We obtained a who have died in the Iraq and Af- faith perspectives. The IDOP website, vfp-evansville.org, linked to ghanistan wars and is a very memo- group issued a directory of sup- PayPal, to permit online donations. rable experience for the locals and portive organizations, and ob- tourists here. We hope to close out tained Day of Peace proclama- September was a whirlwind. On the year with more “bannerings” tions from our city and county the 5th, members hosted a table at for peace” above the many free- elected bodies. Looking ahead, a street bazaar. On the 7th, we ways here as well as participating the chapter and its partners hope marched in the local annual Labor with all the other 35 peace groups to forward Asheville's commitment Day Parade, with Gary May, on his here in the annual Peace-On-Earth to becoming a City of Peace. hand cycle, leading our contingent. bazaar on December 5th. Our chap- In late August, VFP Chapter 100 International Peace Day had us ter continues to gain members regu- in Juneau, Alaska dedicated a showing peace signage at the river- larly, both veteran and associate, statue to complete the Bishop front. VFP staffed an art fair table

VFP Newsletter Fall 2015 15

on the 26th, selling merchandise, plantings along the walk. We plan participation in the NC State Fair’s with proceeds going to our scholar- to erect a statue, benches and Peace Booth and the Raleigh Vet- ship. Since our fund already sur- plaques or a walkway to commem- erans Day Parade. passed this year’s needs. Lynn orate peace activists. The city We extend best wishes to chap- Kincade contacted Vanderburgh parks commissioner offered sug- ter past-president and VFP Board Community Foundation about re- gestions on how to approach the member John Heuer for a speedy quirements for starting an endowed city council for approval. Our chap- recovery from recent surgery. scholarship. ter was again welcomed to the Me- morial Day parade, with the condi- Chapter 106 - Dallas, TX tion that we didn’t carry a flag Chapters 161, 163 & 169 - Iowa draped coffin as we did in the past. Leslie Harris 12 members including WWII veter- John Jadryev an Marge Behlen attended to hold signs such as, “Honor Vets, Work The Iowa three chapters of VFP, Members continue to hold regu- for Peace.” 161, 163 and 169 combined re- lar vigils at Bush's home or Library; sources and melded partnerships visit Sen. Cornyn's office re the Iran Our annual “Concert for Peace with over 25 other peace activist Deal; held a “Seal the Iran Deal” and Justice” at our local coffee groups to put on a “Barnstorming demonstration at Rep. Sessions' shop / music venue went off very Tour of Iowa” with Ray McGovern town hall; and held two "Diplomacy well. Local artists joined us for en- and Coleen Rowley with the inten- Not War" demonstrations – one at tertainment and some poignant tion of improving the dialogue prior Bush’s and one at the Grassy Knoll songs while we offered short infor- to the Iowa Caucus to include is- in Dallas. We co-sponsored and mational bits between acts. sues of peace, justice and national tabled at the "World Peace Day security. During the presentations 2015 Celebration" in downtown Dal- Chapter 157 - NC Triangle audiences were urged to ask tough las, and tabled at the “Peacema- questions of those who aspire to kers Luncheon." Two members Doug Ryder the presidency and not be satisfied testified about the “war on the plan- with pat answers. The 6 day tour et” at the recent EPA Methane went to 9 venues in 7 cities attract- Rules Hearing in Dallas - one of This summer, North Carolina’s regressive politics provided Eisen- ing a combined audience of over three in the country. hower Chapter 157 with many rea- 1500. Public events were held on We've partnered with the North sons to protest. In July, we gath- or near 7 Iowa campuses: Univer- Texas Light Brigade for messaging ered in Winston-Salem for the sity of Dubuque, Loras College, including: #Unlearn Racism; Peace Moral Mass March for Voting University of Northern Iowa, Uni- With Iran; Iran Deal - Yes! I Stand Rights. There, our VFP flags could versity of Iowa, Iowa State Univer- With Ahmed; Welcome Refugees; be seen flying high above a crowd sity and Drake University. Several and Peace Is Possible. Three mem- estimated at 5,000. non-public meetings were with stu- bers traveled with the light brigade dent groups. Edward Snowden In August, chapter members to display "Sandra Bland" and "Say “Skyped” in at the event in Iowa John Heuer, Sam Winstead, and Her Name" on a freeway overpass City to an overflow crowd for an Machai St. Rain represented us at in Houston and "Justice for Sandy" exchange with Ray McGovern and in front of the Waller County Jail, VFP’s annual convention. After Coleen Rowley. He then took accompanying Sam on his 4th an- where she died. We’ve continued questions from the audience. nual bicycle “Ride for Peace” from to support Mothers Against Police Raleigh to DC, Machai continued Brutality, - attending vigils and dis- on to Eureka, California, where playing messages, “#Christian Tay- Chapter 160 - Vietnam lor” and “Remembering Clinton Allen.” she helped prepare the Golden Rule for its voyage to San Diego. Chuck Searcy WWII veteran Sam, now 90, joined Chapter 114 - Sheboygan, WI Machai in Los Angeles, and tgeth- er they pedaled to the San Diego Chapter 160 is planning the 2016 Craig Wayh convention site VFP Peace Tour of Vietnam from 14 to 31 March 2016. Reserve your In September, we participated in Work has begun on our first seat now for our 5th annual tour, the first Raleigh Peace Festival, peace park with the erection of an 8 from Hanoi to Hue, Quang Tri and foot peace pole with plaques de- where chapter president Doug Ry- the DMZ, Danang, Nha Trang, and der invited attendees to complete claring “may peace prevail on earth” Ho Chi Minh City. Meet veterans the phrase “Peace is...” on a hand- in 16 languages, by late member from all sides, officials, students, held sign. Their photos then were and WWII veteran Larry McDonald. farmers, entrepreneurs, beneficiar- submitted to VFP national for in- The city put a walkway to the pole ies of humanitarian projects sup- and our chapter helped coordinate clusion on the web site. We’re now ported by VFP to help people deal moving ahead with fall planning for 16 VFP Newsletter Fall 2015

with the legacies of the war – un- workshop at the National VFP Con- Chapter 175 - Janesville, WI vention and is co-chair of our Na- exploded ordnance (UXO) and Agent Orange. The cost is just tional VFP Working group for Norman Aulabaugh $2,750 for 16 nights and 17 days in homeless veterans. This group has grown from 3 members to 18. Viet-nam, plus about $1,000 round -trip airfare from San Francisco, We are supporting the Golden Rule Chapter 175 received its charter in and a donation of $1,000 to be and some of our members have July. The ink was not dry on this pooled and distributed at the end visited and ridden on the ship in charter when we lost two charter of the tour by vote of partici- San Francisco Bay. members; George Adams, a Korean pants. Over the years, these trip We continue to grow from 8 Veteran, in July and L.D. “Red” Rock- funds and other donations through well, a Vietnam Veteran in August. Both Chapter 160 have totaled nearly Chapter 168 - Louisville, KY were tireless peace activists. $200,000. Details at VFP web- Carol Rawert Trainer Drones were our recent focus. site. Chapter 175 was a sponsor of the

Madison, Wisconsin to Volk Field, VFP 160 has supported Project members in 2011 to 21 current Wisconsin walk to ground the use of RENEW in Quang Tri Province members. On a sad note we regret drones as weapons of war. The 90 since 2012. VFP’s national Board to announce that long time member mile walk consisting of 15-20 walk- of Directors voted to partner with Jim Butler (USMC, Korea) died on ers daily was organized by The Wis- Project RENEW and seek availa- July 29. consin Coalition to Ground the ble USAID funds to assist families Member Russell Vandenbroucke Drones and End the Wars and Voic- dealing with Agent Orange. The had an op-ed, “Flags and Flags es for Creative Nonviolence. The Board decision is being challenged and Flags” published in the Courier walk ended with a vigil at Volk Field, by a resolution to be voted on this Journal and Harold Trainer had a Wisconsin National Guard base month by the general member- several letters to the editor pub- that trains drone pilots. Nine peace ship. We urge all VFP members to lished on militarism and pay cuts activists were arrested as they participate in this important decision. for troops. The Vietnam Traveling walked onto the base. YouTube vid- Chapter 162 - East Bay, CA Wall came to Lexington, KY but the eo: youtu.be/5TupqWWfmXY. Kathy KY Department of Veterans Affairs Kelly commented on the walk: popu- Cathe Norman shunned allowing our chapter to larresistance.org/let-it-shine/. volunteer until the Chapter Presi- We displayed a VFP drone quilt at Chapter 162 continues with an dent demanded to be heard and the Public Library in Janesville outreach table at the big monthly participate. We were given a grave- where Kathy Kelly of the Voices for “First Friday” street carnival in yard shift the night before the event Creative Nonviolence spoke for an Downtown Oakland. We pass out opened to keep us quiet. Members International Day of Peace event. newsletters and other materials for Carol Rawert Trainer and Steven We are planning an event for next peace and non-violence. We also Gardiner (also presented a work- year to address the positive effects have lively conversations with many of shop) attended the National Con- Casey Sheehan and Tomas Young the thousands of passers-by. vention in San Diego. In Septem- have given to the peace movement. ber we tabled at 2 events at the A letter was sent to Representa- University of Louisville: the annual tive Barbara Lee regarding the re- Peace and Justice Community En- cent shipment of anthrax to South gagement Fair and Community Korea; we felt this was a violation Day event and a special Veterans to the 1972 Biological Weapons Health Issues event. On Septem- Convention of 1972 and the 1925 ber 26 we celebrated World Peace Geneva Protocol prohibiting the Day by sponsoring and tabling at use of biological weapons. We the 2nd annual World Peace Festi- participated in the Anti-Nuclear val at the World Peace Bell in New- protest on August 6 at the Lau- port, Kentucky. rence Lab in Livermore. A small table was set up to distribute our newsletter and other materials. One of our members spoke at the Lars Prip with VFP Drone Quilt at Pleasanton City Council Meeting in Janesville Public Library. opposition to the participation of the City with Urban Shield that has recently moved from Oakland to Pleasanton. Members of Ch. 168 staffing their infor- One of our members gave a mation table. VFP Newsletter Fall 2015 17

Review: Moral Injury Doug Rawlings

MORAL INJURY AND CONSCIEN- their moral foundation. They "Each day is a struggle. The TIOUS OBJECTION: SAYING NO may feel what they did or saw is more I try and put the war behind TO MILITARY SERVICE unforgivable. They experience me, the more the dog of war by Alice Lynd with the assistance of 'moral injury.'" bites at my heels as I run away from the grief." Staughton Lynd And now the narratives begin Alice Lynd's timely monograph as we hear from such VFP lumi- And did I mention what a won- Moral Injury And Conscientious naries as Brian Willson, Camilo derful resource this little pam- Objection: Saying No To Military Mejia, the late Jacob George, phlet is? Each page is loaded Serivce (Summer 2015, Quaker Brock McIntosh, Vince Emanu- with footnotes to guide the read- House Publications) is exactly ele, and Geoffrey Millard. Each er into deeper and richer con- what we in Veterans For Peace veteran lets the reader into his texts. Alice even leads us directly need as we go about our work in moment of deepest anguish, to assistance on her last page, our local communities. Alice has into a moral epiphany. Imagine listing telephone and e-mail con- put together a sort of hands-on a high school senior contem- tact information for the G.I. "manual" that combines compas- plating the Marines reading this Rights Hotline, the Quaker sionate narrative with all the ref- from Brian: “My first thought House, the Center on Con- erences and back-up information was that I was witnessing an science & War, and the Brite Di- an activist could ever need as egregious, horrendous mis- vinity School, Soul Repair Cen- she or he attempts to weave the take.... I didn't see one person ter. Yeah, you heard me right -- concept of "moral injury" into dia- standing. Most were ripped "soul repair" -- such an exquisite logues with veterans, with active- apart from bomb shrapnel and concept, which reminds me of duty military men and women machine gun wounds, many Jacob's lament about the V. A. and their families, and with blackened by napalm beyond He shares with us an encounter young people considering mili- recognition; the majority were with a therapist there who tells tary service. I use the word children.... From that moment him that after Jacob felt a much "manual" with hesitation because on, nothing would ever be the needed sense of relief from hav- this little gem is not only factual, same for me." Or Camilo: ing thrown his medals away at a but it's a darn good read. She "When I opened fire that day, I demonstration, the V.A. can't en- masterfully gives us a personal, violated that law [of morality] courage him to do that. Jacob's close-up look at the courage it and desecrated the most sacred reply: takes to really follow one's con- sanctuary of my being. As I ob- "You're telling me that you can't science in the face of entrenched served that young man through offer me the actual healing rituals bureaucratic and cultural re- the sight of my rifle, I was star- and ceremonies that I need, that sistance. And then she directs us ing at a point of no return....My an entire generation of people toward references that can actu- moral injury is the pain I inflicted needs in order to heal their ally help us guide our communi- upon the very core of my being souls?" ties into action. If you're heading when I took something I could into a school or staffing a table at never give back." Please put this booklet into the hands of as many people as you a peace fair or holding a party at Those of us who knew and your house, you would be well can. And here's the best news -- remember Jacob George, a vet- Alice is offering multiple copies of served to have copies of Moral eran of three tours in Afghani- Injury at hand. Moral Injury And Conscientious stan who succumbed to his Objection: Saying No to Military Even before the reader gets moral injury by taking his own Service free of charge. Copies of into the heart of her case for life last year, can sense his an- the pamphlet may be obtained at bringing our moral compasses guish as he recounts carrying no charge except for shipping pointing to true north, she gives "... two bags of body parts out of from Quaker House in Fayette- us a working definition of "moral the building to figure out who it ville, NC, qpr@quakerhouse- injury": was. We had no idea if they .org or 910-323-3912. And, by were civilians or insurgents.... "When men and women in the the way, the Quaker House also We had no idea who was in offers educational presentations military believe they did or saw there, more than likely women something that betrays their on moral injury for no charge oth- and children." And Vince Eman- er than transportation costs. Let's deeply held sense of right and uele, a Marine in the Iraq War, wrong, it can create inner conflict take them up on their gen- tells it like it is as a veteran try- erous offer. and self-blame, and shake up ing to cope with life after war: 18 VFP Newsletter Fall 2015

How Near Viet Nam Came to US

The I.D. bracelet I never did give my first girlfriend cost me more than I’d ever spent before on love of anything but beer. We sipped cherry cokes to nickel-a-hit Rolling Stones’ “Let’s Spend the Night the Together,” “Paint it Black,” “Time Is on My Side,” and “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction.” I wanted her eyes gleaming

MasonKuldinow my gold surprise—one small touch from diamond—something to sanctify going all the way, something I hoped would stave off the ultimate pain

all love comes to without warning. We both went cold

against the mix of malt shop rollick, Long Time Gone the carhop motioning her to the telephone news from a TV war The boy on the bench on the boardwalk forced home too real—everything just got back from the war. He watches in our teenage, red-Chev niche the waves washing the shore, the shore birds eclipsed by this foreign dark: pecking at tiny crabs in the sand an eight-day fire fight, or diving for fish in the shallow surf. some napalmed hill of jungle There was sand where he was, but a long dubbed in numbers, her cousin walk to the beach, and the pecking birds tallied to the M.I.A. His name were snipers, the diving birds IEDs. stamped in cheap metal Now that he’s home, and home isn’t home, meant more than all what will he do with himself? the Earth’s romantic verse Maybe he’ll go to college. Or trade school. of rock-and-roll inscribed in gold, Maybe he’ll re-enlist. He lifts more than any purple-hearted Requiem his gaze to the distant horizon a red, white, and blue where sea meets sky at the edge of the world. united world or I could ever give. He wonders how far he could swim. — W. D. Ehrhart In Memory of Sgt. Philip Clarence Stein - Paul Zarzyski (From, 51: 30 Poems, 20 Lyrics, 1 Self-Interview--Bangtail Press, 2011)

VFP Newsletter Fall 2015 19

1404 N Broadway Non-Profit Org. Board of Directors St Louis MO 63102 US Postage Barry Ladendorf, President veteransforpeace.org PAID Gerry Condon, Vice-President 314-725-6005 St. Louis, Missouri Mark Foreman, Treasurer Permit # 5414 Kourtney Mitchell, Secretary FALL 2015 Jason Cardenas Willie Hager John Heuer Tarak Kauff Joey King Patrick McCann Tom Palumbo

Staff Michael T. McPhearson, Executive Director Chrissie Brooks Virginia Druhe Shelly Rockett Casey Stinemetz Doug Zachary

Advisory Board Edward Asner Andrew Bacevich Medea Benjamin

Phyllis Bennis Roy Bourgeois Jackson Browne Paul Chappell Thank you, Chuck! Charlie Clements Marjorie Cohn Chuck Rossi has stepped down as John Dear editor of this newsletter. We are Phil Donahue Daniel Ellsberg grateful for his five years of skillful Bill Fletcher and generous service. Chris Hedges Matthew Hoh Ann Jones Kathy Kelly David Krieger Pete McCloskey Raymond McGovern Are you an editor? Ralph Nader Doug Rawlings is serving as interim editor for this Yoko Ono issue, but has not yet agreed to stay on. Masahide Ota Jeremy Scahill If you are interested in volunteering for this important Margaret Stevens Oliver Stone & interesting task, call or email Michael McPhearson David Swanson for more information. Cornel West Mary Ann Wright 314-725-6005 [email protected]

20 VFP Newsletter Fall 2015