Summer 2011 WEDNESDAY — VFP Executive Board Meets from 8Am to 4Pm and Members Are Welcome to Observe
VETERANS FOR PEACE From Portland, ME to Portland, OR: Excitement Builds for 2011 Convention first joined VFP in 1997 while living in Santa Cruz, California. note to kick-start our weekend-long conversation about VFP’s next I In 2002 I relocated to Arcata, California where I became active 25 years. In the same vein, the evening public event, themed “The in Chapter 56, and in 2008 I moved to Portland, Oregon, home of Moral Revolution,” features Blase Bonpane, founder of L.A.-based Chapter 72. Lucky enough to have attended five conventions (D.C., Office of the Americas, described as “a soft-spoken man with a Minneapolis, Albuquerque, San Francisco and Dallas), I sometimes hard-hitting message.” Also featured: IVAW veteran Josh Stieber fantasized about helping to organize one in my home city. Now (of the Contagious Love Experiment) and music by dynamic folk that I’m actually doing it, I understand duo Emma’s Revolution. why other chapter members shook FRIDAY — A morning plenary their heads so vigorously when the panel on PTSD is followed by work- idea was first proposed. Nevertheless, shops, caucus meetings (over lunch), I am excited about hosting a conven- more workshops, and then a presen- tion in this particular city. tation by Portland’s own S. Brian Portland is a very green city, liter- Willson, fresh off the road from a ally and figuratively. My husband cycling tour promoting his memoir, Brian and I were attracted by the VA Blood on the Tracks (PM Press, hospital, Amtrak access, and excellent 2011). The traditional “Speak Out,” bicycling infrastructure; other notable where veterans line up to speak their features include large urban parks, “peace” (so much passion in those fabulous restaurants, and vibrant activ- small speeches!), makes up the pro- ist, arts and culture scenes.
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