VETERANSVETERANS FORFOR PEACEPEACE Organized locally. Recognized internationally.

2013 VFP Convention, August 7—11 SUMMER 2013 Madison, Wisconsin POWER TO THE PEACEFUL

Doug Rawlings

The 28th annual convention is forthcoming e-mail blasts for further poets share their work. Light refresh- shaping up to be an exciting power- developments. ments will be served. packed few days of local, regional, TENTATIVE PROGRAM Late Wednesday: we begin our and national speakers willing to en- convention documentary film series. gage you in a dialogue about how we Tuesday , August 6th Even before the convention offi- Whenever possible, major players in in Veterans For Peace can affect our the making of the films will be present. communities in our quest to abolish cially begins, VFP's Madison chapter has invited our Executive Director, Keep your eye on the website for fur- war. Mike Reid, and our Board President, ther details. We chose Madison because of its Patrick McCann, to address the Hiro- deserving reputation as a city of activ- Thursday, August 8th ists who know how to take a stand for shima and Nagasaki Lanterns for 9am—4 pm: Registration. Please justice. We chose the unionized Con- Peace event in nearby Tenney Park. register and pick up your registration course Hotel in downtown Madison You won't want to miss this if you're in the area. packet. as soon as you can Conven- because it served as a major gather- tion T-shirts will be available at the ta- ing point for Wisconsin's working peo- ble. ple as they battled against Governor Wednesday, August 7th Walker's anti-labor power grab. We All day: VFP's national board of 9:30am: Opening Plenary. The chose the theme of Power to the directors meet . Open to all mem- Madison VFP chapter hosts will be in Peaceful because it reflects VFP's bers. full force to welcome you to the con- commitment to nonviolent direct activ- Registration opens mid- vention. Speakers will include Mike ism. We chose the array of speakers afternoon. Wiggins from the Bad River tribe, ac- and entertainers because they have companied by tribal drummers to kick Evening:: informal reception at off the convention; Madison Mayor proven their commitment to the the hotel hosted by Mike Reid and peaceful transformation of our world. Paul Soglin who will present the key to Patrick McCann. Light refreshments the city to VFP; David Newby, founder And now we ask you to join us in ear- available. ly August as "Mad-town" opens its of U.S. Labor Against the War, will doors to Veterans For Peace. Night:: the vibrant local speak about the connection of the la- Here is a working blueprint for bookstore A Room of One’s Own will bor movement and the anti-war move- your convention. Although all of the host VFP's annual convention poetry ment; and Mike Reid and Patrick speakers and entertainers listed be- reading. VFP poets and local peace McCann will provide us with VFP's vi- low have committed to coming to Madison, we are still tying up loose IN THIS ISSUE: ends and juggling timeframes. All ac- tivities listed below will take place in President & ED Reports ..3 Vietnam Peace Tour………..6 the Concourse Hotel unless indicated otherwise. Once you have made your National Office News ...... 4 Chapter Reports …….…...... 8 decision to join us, you should keep an eye on our national website and St. Pat’s Peace Parade ….5 Poetry ……………….….….18 sion for the future. More speakers to be announced later. So You Say You Want a Resolution Noon: brown bag documentary film series begins. Film TBA. Bob Krzewinski 1:00pm: Five workshop options. Creating VFP Policy Though Resolutions 3:00pm: Five workshop options. One part of democracy in Veter- protocols make sure, among other Evening: Activists Speaking Out ans For Peace is the ability of a things, that resolutions don’t repeat event, beginning with Nick Turse's member to submit resolutions on already-approved resolutions, ad- discussion of his recent book Kill Eve- VFP policy and have them enacted dress funding of projects, and clarify rything That Moves about atrocities in into the official positions of the or- who does any work required of a res- Vietnam that demonstrates how in- ganization. The process is pretty olution. depth research can contribute to our simple where every spring/summer a For 2013, proposed resolutions work against militarism and war. period is open to submit resolutions should be submitted to the Chair of Warning: this will be a graphic and with a deadline of 30 days prior to the Resolutions Committee, Bob hard-hitting presentation. Also, John the annual national convention. At Krzewinski by email at wolver- Peck and John Kinsman, leaders of the convention resolutions are dis- [email protected] or mail your pro- the Family Farm Defenders move- cussed with possible recommenda- posal to Bob Krzewinski, 706 Dwight ment who are actively involved in or- tions, then sent out to the member- Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48198. The dead- ganizing farmers and other citizens ship for a binding vote. line is July 7, 2013. against the "corporatization" of our It should be noted, however, that For more information, including food sources. Interspersed through- a fair amount of work is required by resolution protocols and a listing of out the evening will be the songs of those submitting a petition, namely resolutions currently in effect, visit Ryan Harvey, a young activist musi- following a set of resolution protocols vfpnationalconvention.org and click cian from the Baltimore who carries a established over the years by the on the “Resolutions & By-Laws” link. strong anti-war message with him. VFP Resolutions Committee. These Local peace activists will be present- ing their work at various tables around the ballroom. an opportunity for you to provide treasurer's report, the Executive Direc- Late Thursday: Film TBA. feedback. Copies of the plan will be tor's report, discussion of proposed available at the registration table. resolutions and by-law amendments. Friday, August 9th: 3:00pm: plenary. Environmen- Later afternoon: Peace Parade 9:00am Five workshop options. tal activist Diane Wilson recounts through the streets of Madison - invit- 10:30am : 5 workshop options. her strategies and successes; ing Madison's Raging Gran- peace activist Kathy Kelly on her nies, the Forward Marching Band, and Noon: brown bag documentary many, many journeys into war the Solidarity Sing along troupe to film series continues. zones to bring a message of peace lead us down State Street. 1:00pm: VFP Board hosts a dis- and reconciliation; and Vietnam vet- Night: Buses to take us to the cussion of VFP's newly minted Strate- eran, lifetime peace activist and au- University of Wisconsin – Union South gic Plan. This plan has been in the thor, Brian Willson's words of wis- to hear more inspiring speeches, mu- works for over a year, as board mem- dom about organizing against the sic and poetry. Presenters include bers have crafted a working docu- planet-destroying forces of Ameri- Brian Willson, perhaps Ron Kovics, ment to guide VFP actions throughout can imperialism. spoken word artist Misty Rowan from each year. The Board welcomes you Friday evening: VFP Banquet. Minneapolis, folksingers Jim Walkten- to this forum that will include a ra- One of the keynote speakers this donk and Jason Moon. Jason is a tionale for the plan, a discussion of evening will be the indefatigable Wisconsin VFP member who has specific visions within the plan, and Kathy Kelly. She will be joined at the worked extensively with homeless podium by Matt Rothschild, editor veterans, and NEWSLETTER STAFF of The Progressive magazine, radio Jim is a nationally known Vietnam show host and author of You Have veteran singer-songwriter. To bring Chuck Rossi, Editor No Rights: Stories of America in an the evening to a close, we'll move Contributing Editors: Age of Repression . Some good back the tables and hit the dance John Grant, music will round out the evening. floor. Madison folks guarantee us that Will Shapiro Late Friday: film TBA. the band will appeal to all ages. Editor-At-Large: Late Saturday: last of documen- W.D. Ehrhart Saturday, August 10th: tary film series. Film TBA. 9:00am: Annual business meeting, beginning with a recogni- Sunday, August 11th: NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: tion of our fallen, led by Minnesota We conclude the convention with a VFP Chapter 27's 11-piece chime morning tribute to Lincoln Grahlfs, one SEPTEMBER 22, 2013 ringers. The meeting includes the of VFP's most well-loved members, 2

President’s Report Patrick McCann

There’s a lot of work going in VFP (‘Planned Giving” and a Major Donor We've travelled to New York City and as we enter spring 2013! VFP mem- Drive) - to add to current options of Ukiah (Northern Californial) together, bers are organizing against drones, being a regular sustainers and/or life and to Boston, Philly, and Raleigh building the June 1st Bradley Man- -time member. separately. We expect to be in New ning rally at Fort Meade (MD), pro- The VFP convention takes place York City, Kansas City, Atlanta, Indi- testing the Bush Library in Dallas, August 7-11 in Madison (WI).We anapolis, Madison, and Southern attending numerous “Bring the War hope you can attend! VFP chapters California by summer's end. We wish $$ Home” rallies. and trying to find a greatly aided last year’s Miami con- to attend chapter meetings to hear way to show our deep love and re- vention by buying ads for the con- your activities and ideas, share spect for Tomas Young and others vention handbook . We are encour- what's occurring in VFP nationally, like him. aging chapters again this year to buy and encourage you to express your We are also internally focused - a full-page ad ($200), and we are chapter’s (or region’s) wants or developing a strategic (programmatic) way ahead of last year’s pace, with needs. plan and a campaign to strengthen chapters having committed to almost Letting it go here so as not to go chapters and other internal organiza- $10K. on too long, but just remember that tion, and increasing revenue. The VFP Executive Director Mike we are in this for the long haul. It is, VFP Development Committee is de- Reid and I began in February to in fact, a lifelong task. There is no veloping other ‘funding streams’ – meet with chapters and regions. finish line!

Executive Director’s Report Mike Reid

Many times, I am asked, "Why recruitment, and creative nonviolent should I join VFP?" I 'm sure many of action. VFP has led or participated in you get the same questions. Here are over 50 peace delegations to Latin some reasons I give for joining: America, Europe, the Middle East, Veterans For Peace was founded Asia, and Africa, and sponsored nu- in 1985 by 10 U.S. military veterans merous projects to heal the wounds of and has grown to include approxi- war and repair its damaged, including mately 5,000 members in 150 chap- projects to restore clean water to Iraq ters located in every U.S. state and and to provide medical assistance in several other countries. Bosnia. Veterans For Peace (VFP) is work- VFP holds a permanent Non- ing to further enlarge its membership Governmental Organization seat at as it heads into what it already ex- the United Nations. It is also the first pects to be a very well-attended 28th military veterans’ organization invited to be a member of the International national convention this August 7-11 McCann & Reid at Northern CA in Madison, Wisconsin. regional gathering. Peace Bureau based in Geneva, VFP is reaching out to other peace Switzerland. organizations and everyone who who've seen war up-close push back VFP's members have a particular cares about ending war, requesting against those who would continue to ability to inform the public of the true their assistance in encouraging veter- invest in war preparations and sanc- causes of war and its enormous an friends and neighbors to join their tion the launching and continuation costs. On this webpage some VFP local VFP chapters or start a new one. of wars. members explain why they joined: VFP has been a powerful part of VFP has collaborated with doz- veteransforpeace.org/take-action/tell- the peace movement in the United ens of organizations and sponsored your-story-why-i-became-a-veteran- States and abroad for a generation, 1000s of activities promoting peace, for-peace and a leading advocate for the aboli- including educational events, mass And Finally, because of our State- tion of war as an instrument of nation- demonstrations, artistic displays and ment of Purpose. Check it out on the al policy. VFP has helped those memorials, lobbying, counter- back cover ! 3 National Calendar Update

As we’ve mentioned through e-blasts, the website, and previous newslet- ters, Veterans For Peace is keeping a national calendar in 2013. This calendar is meant to bring together our voices and to mobilize our members into unified actions each month. In April, we focused on Actions Against Drones and educated on drone warfare and surveillance. On tax day, we discussed military spending, educat- ing on the financial costs of endless wars. By the time this newsletter reaches membership, we will have completed our Memorials in May to remember those impacted by war and violence and to educate on the humans costs of war. In June, when you receive this, Bradley Manning’s trial will have started. 2013 VFP We want to show him support this month, advocating for him and bringing at- National Calendar tention to his trial when major media will not. Please join us by holding an action, signing a petition, or simply discussing the trial with other in your June 2013 community. Many people are still unaware of Bradley’s situation. The injus- Bradley Manning Trial Starts in tice Bradley has faced for exposing war crimes is an example of how war takes Fort Meade, MD a toll on democracy.

Each month, a document is e-mailed to chapter contacts and displayed on July 4th, 2013 the website with suggestions for members to take action. Please consider Independence Day: Peace is Pat- participating in the national monthly actions. By unifying our actions, we can riotic not only make a larger impact but learn from each other’s experiences along the way. August 8th-11th, 2013 Keep up with the activities of other chapters each month on the VFP web- VFP 28th Convention: Power to site in the Take Action area on the Monthly Mobilizations page. the Peaceful If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the calendar, please contact Casey, Chapter Coordinator, [email protected] st September 21 , 2013 UN International Day of Peace: Sustainable Peace for a Sustaina- ble Future

October 2013 Story Telling Month: Why I joined Veterans For Peace

November 11, 2013 Armistice Day: Eleven Bells For Peace

November 22-24, 2013 School of Americas Watch in Fort Benning, GA

December 2013 Town Hall Meeting: A Year End Review

New Services From National VFP Check out the new Members Only section of the VFP website! In that area you can Request VFP’s endorsement of national campaigns or events Order reduced cost printing services from VFP Announce upcoming chapter events Communicate with other VFP members Request the VFP brochure is now available in Spanish

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Introducing VFP’s New ‘Members Only” Website! Shelly Rockett

If you have not seen it yet, be sure Member Information sent with an explanation. An author to visit the new Members Only section This section allows members to veri- who persists in violations will be of the VFP website. This section al- fy your contact and membership in- banned from the site. lows current members to participate in formation as stored in the VFP data- Member Only Documents online voting, view your member infor- base. When you have updates, you This section includes documents relat- mation in the VFP database, create can submit the Change in Infor- ing to VFP governance and services to and participate in forum type discus- mation. members: Board Minutes, Resolutions, sions and view documents that are available only for members. Discussions forms to request endorsement(s), print- Members will be able to create top- ing services, to join a Working Group Online Voting ics for discussion, allow or disallow and Chapter Toolkits and Resources/ This section allows VFP National comments, add text, hyperlinks, pho- to poll the membership for their opin- tos, tags, etc. A VFP National Staff ions on issues and statements and member will monitor discussions to provide feedback of the results. Fu- ensure that all discussions adhere to ture plans include allowing online vot- VFP policy. If discussion does not fit ing for Resolutions, By Law changes the VFP Statement of Purpose, it will and election of Board of Directors. be removed and an email will be

Saint Patrick’s Peace Parade Pat Scanlon The Alternative People’s Parade for Peace, Equality, Jobs, Environmental Stewardship, Social and Economic Justice

Three years ago (2011) VFP Chap- ter 9 the Smedley D. Butler Brigade submitted an application to walk in the traditional Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in South Boston. This is a huge parade with 700,000 watching. The Smedleys only wanted to walk, carrying our ban- ners and flags. As they have been off A small group called the Allied Decision” which simply stated says and on since 2003 the Smedleys were War Veterans Council runs the tradi- that whoever is running a parade has denied participation in the traditional tional parade. This is a right wing, the exclusive right to say who can and parade. The stated reason was, “They pro-war, anti-gay group that controls who cannot be in, no questions did not want to have the word peace the traditional parade, turning the asked. When any group is denied par- associated with the word veteran”. But celebration of Saint Patrick in South ticipation to walk in any parade, Veter- 2011 was a little different. “With their Boston into a military parade. Twen- ans Day, Memorial Day, etc., this is Irish hackles up,” the Smedleys decid- ty years ago the Irish Gay and Les- the legal decision that is quoted. ed to pull their own parade permit from bian Association of South Boston Well, the Smedleys true to the city and create the Saint Patrick’s wanted to walk in the parade and form, reached out to our Gay and Les- Peace Parade, proudly and enthusias- were denied. A law suit was filed bian brothers and sisters and said, tically walking one mile behind the tra- that went all the way to the U.S. Su- “You were denied the opportunity to ditional parade. preme Court resulting in the “Hurley walk in their parade eighteen years 5 Peace Parade continued ago. We are having a parade; how would you like to walk in our parade?” 2013 Peace Tour of Vietnam Join the Impact, a group of young LGBT folks immediately said yes and a strong alliance was born. Chuck Searcy In 2011, with only three to four weeks to organize the first parade, we had one duck boat, one band (The Leftist Marching Band) and 500 people. In 2012, we had seven divi- sions, two bands, one duck boat, two trollies, one labor float, some bag pipers, a drumming group and 2,000 people. In 2013 we had eight divi- sions (Veterans For Peace, Peace, Religious, LGBT, Climate Justice, Political, Labor, Social and Economic Justice), one duck boat, two trollies, five great bands, a small three piece ensemble, a large drumming group, an Irish float, a labor float, Bread and Puppet Theatre (with wonderful pup- pets and their bus), plus 2,500 enthu- siastic participants. Leah Bolger, VFP Past Presi- dent, and Mike Reid, VFP Executive Director, were positioned in one of the lead cars, proudly waving the VFP and Irish flags. Make no mistake about it, we are in a struggle here in Boston. For the past three years we The members of the Spring, 2013 VFP delegation to Viet Nam, with members of have been winning hearts and minds. the Hoa Binh (Peace) Chapter 160 based in Viet Nam We have won over the residents of bassador David Shear stated that he South Boston, forty non-profit groups, This year’s VFP Peace Tour of the police, and the press but we still Vietnam included 10 Vietnam veter- is working to bring closure to these walk behind the street sweepers, one ans – five who are living and work- painful legacies. He wants the help and support of VFP members and mile behind the traditional parade. ing in Vietnam, members of Vi- other concerned Americans to con- Next year may be different. We are etnam’s Hoa Binh Chapter 160 of vince Congress to provide greater being represented by the ACLU of VFP – one veteran of the Korean U.S. funding, technical resources, Massachusetts and the law firm of war, a recently retired Air Force LeClair Ryan. We intend to shake up nurse, spouses, peace activists, and and expertise. the status quo in 2014 and you are all writers. The group of 17 traveled The delegation visited the Veter- ans Agent Orange Friendship Village welcome to join us, Céad Míle Fáilte from Hanoi to Hue and Danang, Nha on the outskirts of Hanoi, a facility (You are welcome a thousand times Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City over 14 that treats disabled children and over). days. We focused on the legacies of teaches them vocational skills. Viet- A final note on the 2013 the war that ended nearly four dec- namese veterans from the city of Hai Peace Parade. One of Boston’s fin- ades ago. In our meetings with Viet- Duong were there for a brief period of est, after viewing both parades stat- namese war veterans and govern- treatment, rest, and rehabilitation. ed, “I don’t know why the second ment officials, the U.S. Ambassador Veterans from different sides in the parade is not part of the first pa- and Embassy staff, Vietnamese vic- war warmly shook hands, exchanged rade. Besides, the music in the tims of unexploded ordnance and stories, and posed for photos. second parade was so much better Agent Orange, and NGOs, our The tour overlapped Vietnam’s than the first parade”. Please join group represented the cares and “Hung Kings National Holiday,” which the Smedleys in 2014 on the streets concerns of veterans and other is followed by National Liberation Day of South Boston. We have a lot of Americans who feel a responsibility April 30 celebrating the end of the fun, with great music and have creat- to work together to deal with these war in 1975. VFP met with the Veter- ed the only large “Peace Parade” an- painful issues. ans Association of Viet Nam, the Vi- ywhere. Hope to see all of We found a unity of purpose and etnam Union of Friendship Organiza- VFP next year. Erin Go Bragh. commitment among VFP members tions (VUFO), Vietnam Association of and Vietnamese friends. U.S. Am- Victims of Agent Orange. We were 6

2013 Peace Tour of Vietnam Chuck Searcy

briefed on efforts to assist the estimat- was there. The area is now mostly from the VFP delegation. The local ed three million victims of Agent Or- covered in coffee plants, today one Vietnam Union of Friendship Organi- ange and unexploded ordnance, and of Vietnam’s largest export com- zations (VUFO) chairman and the we confirmed VFP’s commitment to modities. leadership of the Veterans Associa- support these efforts. A bus ride south along the Ho tion welcomed the delegation later in We then visited Hanoi’s museums, Chi Minh Highway brought the dele- the afternoon, and both sides pledged historical sites, crowded shops and gation to A Luoi, in the A Shau Val- continued cooperation. cafes, and street eateries and strolled ley, where we visited some of the On a free day, many of us strolled around Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart families benefiting from VFP funds the wide white sands of China Beach, of the city, photographing the elderly that support the Orange Cow pro- or went to the river port town of Hoi doing their exercises and the young gram. This micro-credit program An. Nha Trang, a lovely beach town with dyed yellow hair on skateboards. provides loans to families of Agent in south central Vietnam, was next From Hanoi we flew to Danang and Orange victims to buy cows that stop. We took a quiet bus ride from drove to Hue across the spectacular they raise and breed or sell for prof- the airport at Cam Ranh Bay into Nha Hai Van Pass, the Sea-Cloud Pass, it. Trang, and met with the VAVA chap- with a mountain view over the bay of After another twisting bus ride ter and several Agent Orange victim Danang. In Hue, scene of fierce along magnificent mountain passes, families. A few in the delegation went fighting during the 1968 Tet Offensive, the group arrived back in Danang. to Nha Trang’s noted therapeutic hot we visited the Citadel, the royal em- mud baths, which are fed by steaming perors’ tombs, and other historic sites. natural springs that flow through a Quang Tri Province was one of the creamy chocolate mud mixture. most heavily bombed areas in history. our group The final stop was Saigon, District The staff of Project RENEW received 1 and the heart of a huge metropolitan our delegation and briefed us about represented the cares area created after the war named in the effect of unexploded ordnance— honor of Vietnam’s revered first presi- cluster bombs, granades, mines, and and concerns of dent, Ho Chi Minh. other weapons—that has resulted in veterans and other Ho Chi Minh City includes the port of more than 100,000 casualties since Saigon, Cu Chi, Tu Du, Gia Dinh, and the end of the war. In the past 2 Americans various other communities and ex- years, RENEW teams have removed tends 50 km in every direction. and destroyed some 17,000 items of The group visited Tu Du Hospital’s ordnance. Over the past decade, all Agent Orange center for children, a NGOs together have removed and We were permitted to visit the dioxin treatment and rehabilitation facility for destroyed more than 200,000 items of remediation site at the Danang In- severely disabled children whose ordnance in the Province. ternational Airport escorted by re- problems are thought to be caused by A visit to the Ben Hai River, the tired Sr. Col. Ngoc Tam, Ph.D, a Agent Orange. The children receive dividing line between the former North chemical and environmental spe- excellent care, and some have hopes Vietnam and South Vietnam, was fol- cialist who works with VAVA. The of improvement. lowed by exploration of the Vinh Moc $43 million U.S.-funded project re- In Saigon, we visited Reunification Tunnels, where an entire village went moves toxins from the soil where Hall, which was the former presiden- underground to avoid the devastation they had accumulated after years of tial palace of the Saigon regime, a of U.S. bombing. During those years storage and deployment from the uniquely modern Vietnamese design 17 babies were born in the tunnels. U.S. military base. The American that has remained untouched since After the Truong Son national cem- team is managing the U.S. partner- April 30th, 1975, the day the war end- etery in Quang Tri, resting place for ship with the Vietnamese Ministry of ed. The family quarters of the Presi- some 20,000 fallen combatants from National Defense. The work contin- dent and the radio room with the hot- the war, we ascended the mountains ues and the soil is expected to be line telephone remain intact; it is histo- near the border of Laos to the Khe free of dioxin by 2016. ry frozen in time. Sanh Marine combat base, site of the The group also visited the Before leaving, the delegation met historic siege of 1968. A few relics of Danang and agreed on disbursement of some the war, including an old C-123 and a Vietnam Association for Victims of $16,000 in donations from members couple of U.S. Army helicopters, are Agent Orange (VAVA) center for of the group, several VFP chapters, part of the Khe Sanh Museum, which disabled children, another facility and individual members in the U.S. was closed for repairs when the group that received a contribution last year continued on p. 18 7 Peace tour to Vietnam. etry reading commemorating the 40th

Feb 9th - Make Peace Not War anniversary of Winning Hearts and th Valentines Party at Busboys & Po- Minds is now scheduled for July 13 , ets. barring any natural disaster. An ex- Feb 13th - Helped take Jobs Not cellent lineup of readers has been War petition to Representatives on assembled including original WHAM Capitol Hill. poets and veteran poets of the wars Feb 17th - Forward on Climate on Iraq and Afghanistan. Anyone Rally associated with the original publica- Feb 24th - Helped plan and at- tion of WHAM is urged to contact Jan tended fund raiser for Bradley Man- Barry or Walt Nygard. This will be a ning. fund raiser for Warrior Writers. Feb 26th - 28th - Hearings at Ft Members of Chapter 21 have partic- Meade for Bradley Manning. ipated with Combat Paper Feb 27th - Went with Fund Our NJ. Cutting up our uniforms, we have made paper & prints & seen our art Chapter 1 members at the demonstra- Communities to meet with president tion for Bradley Manning. of Montgomery County Council. displayed for the public. Feb 28th - Went with members of And if you are feeling safe and pro- CHAPTER 1 PORTLAND, ME Fund Our Communities to Repre- tected it's because our son Joe, an honorary member of VFP 21, and the RICHARD CLEMENT sentatives on Capitol Hill urging them to cut Pentagon spending. Fightin' 508th MPs are on duty at Chapter 1 members declared op- March 18th - Part of a group who Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan. Less position to any "missile defense" base met with 3 Syrians about problems than 2 months to go, can't wait. to be located in Maine. In January we on the ground there. hosted Crystal Zevon and helped her March 18th - Panel in Washing- CHAPTER 27 MINNEAPOLIS, MN kick off her Searching for Occupy ton, DC on Iraq: 10 Years Later. LARRY JOHNSON journey. She has connected with March 23rd - Day-long bus tour many other VFP chapters across the with Peace Action Montgomery visit- Chapter 27 works closely with oth- country. ing places affected by the se- er Peace and Justice efforts to edu- •In February, we held our annual quester. cate decision makers on policies we retreat. Filmmaker and member Regis March 26th - "Reset Defense" believe are needed to abolish war Tremblay showed his documentary conference in Washington, DC. and establish peace with justice. titled: Jeju Island of Peace: In the April 10th - Hearings at Ft Meade, Congressman Keith Ellison, co- Crosshairs of War. We also held a for Bradley Manning. chair of the Progressive, represents demonstration on the bridge in sup- April 13th - Anti-drone rally at part of our area. We have estab- port of Bradley Manning. White House. lished monthly meetings with him or In March, several members trav- April 18th - Defending Dissent his foreign policy person to discuss eled to Boston to join the Smedley panel in Montgomery County MD. our concerns. When Leah Bolger Butler Brigade in the 3rd annual spoke on drones at the WAMM annu- al meeting in March, we organized a "Peace Parade" that marched behind CHAPTER 21 NO. NEW JERSEY "No Drones" demonstration in a the traditional Saint Patrick's Day Pa- WALT AND NANCY NYGARD rade. neighborhood populated heavily by Throughout the cold weeks of recent Somali immigrants. We also arranged a meeting for Leah with CHAPTER 16 WASHINGTON, DC 2013 chapter members have partici- Rep. Ellison, resulting in a standing MIKE MARCEAU pated in peace vigils in central and northern New Jersey. Chapter invitation for members of the national VFPDC Vice President Mike Mar- members have represented VFP in VFP board to meet with the Progres- ceau represented the chapter at Newark with People's Organization sive Caucus in D.C. these events in the Washington, DC, for Progress fighting for Jobs Not Earlier in the year, Roxanne Abbas, area: War and have hiked with the Bud- director of MPP, told us they had Dec 31st - Meeting with Rep. Chris dhist Peace Walkers in the south- made a board resolution to not use Van Hollen's staff about the budget. west US. "derogatory language" in their deal- Van Hollen is the ranking Democrat In February, chapter members ings with each other, and especially in on the House Budget Committee. joined the many friends of Dave talking with elected officials, no matter January 8-11 & 16 -18, 2013 - Cline to celebrate his life at Connol- how much they differ from us. In the Hearings at Ft Meade for Bradley ly's in New York City. wake of so much election-driven Manning. Two members of our chapter met strong feelings, we wrote and adopt- January 11 - Nat’l Day of Action with representatives of Senators ed our own similar resolution. Against Guantanamo. Lautenberg and Menendez to dis- Jan 21st - Arc of Justice Rally & cuss war, corruption, and fair treat- Parade Washington, DC. ment of veterans. Jan 31 - Gave a brief presentation Our twice cancelled (by Hurricane on the 1st Annual VFP Vietnam Sandy & Blizzard Nemo) Puffin Po- 8 rights advocates, 5/18 Regional Con- ference on the Veterans Peace Move- ment, 5/23 demo against Henry Kis- singer receiving the Intrepid Freedom Award, 5/26 Memorial Day Ob- servance, and 6/30 Pride Parade honoring Brad Manning.

CHAPTER 41 CAPE COD, MA DUKE ELLIS

On April 14, we cosponsored, with Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), a pub- lic showing of the film The Invisible War, an expose of the Pentagon's Ch. 27 No Drones Action inadequate response to military sexu- al violence against both female and male service members. Official sup- CHAPTER 34 NEW YORK, NY CHAPTER 31 PHILADELPHIA, PA porters of the event included a wide CHUCK ROSSI BILL KEILBACH range of human services and political groups and individuals. Among them The Chapter has been working to The Mike Pahios/Murray Kaufman were our state and national repre- implement the plans developed at the established priority issues for 2013, sentatives who will now be pressed to planning retreat in December 2012; including Agent Orange Relief & follow-up with concrete efforts to re- much of this has involved working Responsibility, Drone Warfare, pair this horrendous situation. The with other peace and justice groups in Bradley Manning, Uranium Weap- Massachusetts Deputy Commissioner the area. In April, we once again par- ons & the Legacy of the Iraq War, for Veterans Affairs also attended and ticipated in the Legs Against Arms and Membership. Members have spoke following the film. Chapter event organized by the Physicians for been involved in actions and events members Billie Stewart, Nina Tepper Social Responsibility. The event, concerning these issues including: and Jim Canavan were important which is intended to focus on gun legislation to provide overdue relief contributors to the joint planning violence in the Philadelphia area, for all victims of Agent Orange, and group. consists of a 5K run and a community fulfillment of promised remediation On May 4, our Eighteenth Annual education and outreach program. in Vietnam; anti-drone actions; Brad Poetry for Peace Contest culminated Two members of the Chapter partici- Manning support actions, with an in the Awards Ceremony and Read- pated in the run (Mike Felker placed upcoming bus trip to Ft Meade on th ing. Once again, under the leadership 4 in his age group and Chuck Rossi June 1; and contacting lapsed mem- of Nina Tepper and with Jim Canav- finished way out of the money, but bers. an's key editorial help, we set a new finished nonetheless), and we had a We also participated in the 2/16 record for poems submitted and table with information on gun violence Celebration of the Life of Dave teachers participating. This year we and the global scourge of land mines. Cline, 3/3 - St Pat's For All Parade, also had some of our best-ever cover- On May Day (the real Labor Day), the and 3/14 Counter-Recruitment at age from our local media. Another Chapter Precision Grill Team (John NYC Public High Schools, aspect of this wonderful contest is Grant and Chuck Rossi) cooked hun- The Chapter initiated the Haditha that we bring a winning poet with us dreds of hamburgers and hot dogs for Memorial Project in response to the to read at the largest Memorial Day union families and friends celebrating November 2005 massacre of 24 ceremony on Cape Cod. Our chapter the history and future of organized unarmed civilians in Haditha Iraq by has already begun to brainstorm and labor, important in this time of chal- US Marines; 12 were charged but plan for our 20th Annual Contest to lenge to the union movement and no US personnel served any brig make it an even larger and most spe- fiscal austerity. The war economy as time. The project involves installa- cial occasion. a stress on public services and work- tion of a memorial plaque in Haditha er training was stressed by many of from people of the U.S. to the Iraqi the union speakers. The Chapter has people. CHAPTER 45 IPSWICH, MA also worked with the Warrior Writers We also plan to set-up a Face- DAVE WISE in many of their local presentations, book page and develop a series of YouTube videos regarding each of A historically significant collection of including a teach-in at Temple Univer- Veterans For Peace, Samantha Smith sity. We have begun discussions with our priority issues, which will be dis- tributed via social media, in order to Chapter 45 records, along with a 10- other Chapters in Pennsylvania to try year series of Peace Poetry Books to plan a state-wide meeting to dis- expand our outreach efforts for greater impact. were transferred on March 13, 2012 cuss some common projects that to the Salem State University Library would benefit from state-wide efforts. Upcoming Events: 5/1 May Day demo with union and immigrants’ Archives, Salem, MA for future study and research on peace. 9 We met with our airport manager in has, in effect, claimed the unchecked Paul Brailsford, age 96, (since de- November and December requesting authority to put the names of citizens ceased) founder in 1990 of the Sa- to place a sign welcoming home our and others on “kill lists” on the basis of mantha Smith Chapter 45 presented troops. We are encountering some a secret determination, based on se- to Betty Dole, Associate Librarian, and resistance from a member of the cret evidence, that a person meets a University Archivist, Susan Edwards, Board that approves the placing of secret definition of the enemy. his many chapter documents and the sign. As of this writing we have newspaper articles. yet to contact the media, waiting to In order to bring this alarming prac- Tom Gale, initiator of the Chapter 45 hear from the Board. tice to the attention of the public, the Peace Poetry Contest, then presented We are sponsoring a blood drive at VFP Santa Barbara chapter has a the ten Peace Poetry Books (2000- a church in May. We are hard at model of a drone on display at Arling- 2009) containing poetry by children, K work planning the second annual ton West. Please stop by to see our -12 in public, private, charter and pa- International Peace Day. Last year’s display at the foot of Stearn’s Wharf rochial schools throughout Essex was a rousing success. We planted on the first and third Sunday of each County. a peace pole in a park, the Mayor month." Both were guest speakers at the proclaimed Traverse City a city of presentation along with Salem State peace, a panel of 10 each gave their University Professor of World and CHAPTER 55 , SANTA FE, NM opinions on what peace means to Peace History, and Chapter 45 mem- KEN MAYERS them, and we capped it off with a ber, Hope Benne. musical celebration and potluck. Our The Chapter co-sponsored a Febru- The program was videotaped by wish is that the world celebrate this ary 5 public forum featuring a presen- VFP members Tom Gale, Martin Ray event on September 21 with a cease tation by Robert Naiman, Policy Direc- and Bill Grover. fire in all wars around the world. tor of Just Foreign Policy, Washington

A peace walk sponsored by us DC. His talk was entitled Drone At- CHAPTER 46 MONTEREY, CA takes place the 3rd Saturday of each tacks and Ethical Questions and was PHIL BUTLER month. We will be walking in the followed by a Q&A session. Some 70 Santa Feans attended. The Chapter Our chapter is sponsoring an anti- annual Cherry Festival parade, at- plans to co-sponsor another forum on drone rally here in Monterey on Sun- tended by some 300,000 people, in April 27, with Code Pink co-founder day, April 28th, at a place locally July. Over the years, scowls have Medea Benjamin as speaker on the known as Window on the Bay. We will turned to cheers & clapping as more theme Drone Warfare: Killing By Re- have speakers, music, tables, plac- & more people realize the true cost mote Control. (Medea is also speaking ards, banners, and print media to edu- of war. in Albuquerque on Friday night, Taos cate and share information. I've had We are taking applications for our on Sunday night, and Las Vegas, NM an op-ed accepted at the Monterey John Lewis Veterans for Peace on Monday night.) The Chapter also County Weekly and chapter member scholarship to Northwestern Michi- commemorated International Free Jack Erickson has one coming in the gan College, given annually to a Bradley Manning Day with a Feb 23 Herald of Monterey County. We are young student who believes in our demonstration at the state capital also preceding the rally with local ra- mission, is financially needy, and is building while the legislature was in dio interviews & of course public ser- the child or grandchild of a veteran. session. The Chapter is a member of vice announcements. a New Mexico-based "Alliance for Re- In addition, chapter member Heidi al Democracy" and is providing finan- Trinkle is representing our chapter at cial support to an April 19-21 Democ- a rally in Sacramento for the plight of racy School sponsored by the Alli- homeless veterans in our area. ance. We will also have at least one

member in Dallas, TX to protest the CHAPTER 50 NORTHERN MICHIGAN dedication of the Bush Lie-Bury the TIM KEENAN week of April 21.

We continue to honor our fallen Michigan Vets from the Iraq and Af- CHAPTER 61 ST. LOUIS, MO ghanistan wars with a Memorial Day CASEY STINEMETZ and Veterans Day display of tomb- Ch . 54 display at Stearn’s Wharf. In January, the Don Connor’s stones. It is similar to Arlington West, Chapter decided to sponsor an Iraqi but we don’t use crosses, out of re- CHAPTER 54 SANTA BARBARA, CA student, Ahmed Al-Dulaimi, who is spect to all religious or non-religious MARY JOHNSTON attending a local college through the beliefs Iraqi Student project. We plan to raise We co-sponsored a film festival The CIA and the military are carry- funds to support Ahmed over the next hosted by Mid-East, Just Peace. This ing out an illegal “targeted killing” school year. Alongside members of was the first film festival of its kind, program in which people far from any the national board of directors, mem- and it was well received. Once again, battlefield are determined to be ene- bers of chapter 61 attended a rally on we adopted families for Christmas and mies of the state and killed without January 25 against Peabody Coal. Thanksgiving. charge or trial. The executive branch There were 12 arrests, and the rally 10 received attention from local major Peace Club helped rake beach sand so to make the obvious link, One Ire- media. smooth and put up crosses. People land, One Peace was emblazoned on In April, we teamed up with 15 other fishing from or walking on the nearby the side of our parade truck, reinforc- local peace groups to rally downtown pier could easily see the memorial. ing the peace mission of VFP that has against Drones. Our model drone Some came over to get a closer look been achieved in the north of Ireland was a centerpiece to the rally. Addi- at the faces and obituaries on the – but not in our country. Jason is now tionally, Larry Helms and Woody Pow- crosses. Among the passersby who on staff at the San Francisco Ameri- ell, participated in the History Muse- chatted with chapter members was can Friends Service Committee (the um’s Between 2 Worlds exhibit, dis- an army armorer, a woman veteran Quakers), who have always filled a cussing their experiences at veterans. of Iraq. She said that while deployed prominent role in local progressive April also brought the Stand Down she always took a knife with her movements. for Homeless Veterans. We worked when nature called at night. And, That same week marked the 10th along St. Louis University law stu- how some women never used the anniversary of the start of the U.S. dents in the Legal Department, and facilities after dark—which some- invasion and occupation of Iraq, and together, assisted over 60 veterans times caused infections. saw several actions and educational with legal cases. On Earth Day, we She was given some pamphlets to events, organized mainly by IVAW set up a table at the local event to ed- pass on and told about the program and their associate organization, ucate about the environmental costs for women at the local VA. The pam- CivSol – Civilian Soldier Alliance. of war. Approximately 8,000 people phlets were about The Soldiers Pro- On April 1st, a delegation of Chapter were in attendance, and many people ject, a civilian nonprofit counseling members presented a beautiful signed our mailing list. project staffed by psychiatrists and plaque to Lawrence Ferlinghetti, a In May, the chapter partnered with other professionals who work with well-known literary figure in San Fran- local groups at the Stand Up for Wom- military people and their families for cisco and a World War II veteran, who en Veterans Event, which is held an- free military sexual trauma, PTSD, became a life-long veteran for peace nually on St. Louis University campus family problems. after seeing Nagasaki six weeks after with a focus on the unique challenges VFP members attended the Great the A-bomb struck. and experiences of women veterans. American Write-In held in Anaheim, The end of April marked the depar- Members of Chapter 61 prepared the CA. The write-in is an annual event ture from the Veterans Memorial entire meal for this event and set up a at a community center there. People Building of all who used it, as major chapter table each year. came to it to write letters to their renovations get underway. Operating The chapter has also assisted the U.S. Senators and Representatives. without an office for 2–3 years will, we St. Louis Veterans Drug Court Com- Progressive organizations gather at hope, not significantly impede our puter Clinic in its development over tables with literature, petitions and work. the past year. To-date, it has served talking points about their issues. 60 people, mostly veterans, and certi- They talk with the attendees, ex- fied about 40 of them as competent in change viewpoints and tell why their the basics of computer literacy. At cause is important. Women of Or- least ten have gone on the obtain jobs ange, a dynamic group, sponsored that would otherwise not be available the event, provided refreshments, to them. paper and envelopes, addresses of Senators and Representatives, post- age and mailing. It was one stop shopping for people who wanted to get something off their chest and Ch 69: Mike Wong, Chapter Vice Pres- into the minds of those who repre- ident, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Nadya sent them. Williams, Ron Dickenson, and the The struggle continues. Italian biographer of Ferlinghetti

CHAPTER 69 SAN FRANCISCO CHAPTER 71 SONOMA VALLEY, CA NADYA WILLIAMS BILL SIMON

Two handsome young Iraq Veter- ans Against the War led VFP Chap- In 2013 the Sonoma County Chap- ter 69’s contingent in San Francis- ter plans to continue our Full Picture co’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade (www.thefullpicture.info) counter- March 16th, cheered on by thou- recruiting efforts in local high schools Ch 61:Catie Shinn greets vets at the and the local Junior College. We have Stand Up for Women event. sands of on-lookers. Waving the peace sign, Jason Matherne and partnered with members of the Friends House retirement community CHAPTER 67 LONG BEACH, CA Ethan Kreutzer, broadcast IVAW’s and VFP’s message to far more peo- and developed a more standardized HORACE COLEMAN presentation that includes a veteran ple than to the relatively sparse At the last Arlington West Chapter crowds on Veteran’s Day. The pa- sharing his experiences and how they 67 held, volunteers from a high school rade’s theme was A United Ireland, relate to the hidden costs of war, what 11 recruiters won't tell you, and we end resides in Vietnam and is on the In December we conducted a

presentations by providing alterna- Friendship Village board. Becky is presentation and discussion at a tives to joining the military. Unfortu- the President of the U.S. commit- Phoenix high school. We provided 11th nately, even with the assistance of the tee. Other activities the Chapter and 12th grade students with a realis- ACLU we have met with firm re- sponsored in March were a pro- tic depiction of combat and non- sistance when approaching high gram on the Free Gaza Movement combat military life as well as our schools, but we persist in our efforts. featuring Dr. Bill Dienst and a commitment to Veterans for Peace. Chapter 71 Officers have participat- screening of Authority and Expecta- On February 17 we conducted a ed in two of the VFP National training tions (Iraq vet, Wray Harris, speak- successful tabling at the Bonnie Raitt webinars on recruiting and retaining ing about the Iraq tragedy). concert during which she gave us a new VFP members. We highly recom- The Chapter continues its ongo- “shout out” for our efforts. mend these trainings. ing presence as an integral part of On March 15 we met with the VA’s We also will participate in two Sonoma the peace community and is cur- Regional Attorney; presented our evi- County parades, and we plan to ex- rently planning its annual Memorial dence that established the VA’s dis- pand our Armistice Day demonstra- Day ceremony at the Korean wall criminatory conduct toward us during tion/celebration in Santa Rosa this followed by a procession to the the Parade; and requested several year. Peace Park. remedies. As of the date of this sub- The newest, and by far most daunt- mission, we are awaiting the VA’s re- ing, project this year will be to plan for sponse to our proposals. the hosting of the 2014, 3-day, VFP Northern California Regional Confer- CHAPTER 80: DULUTH/SUPERIOR - ence to be held in Sonoma Coun- LAKE SUPERIOR REGION, MI ty. Peace, VERN SIMULA

Chapter 80 is providing support and acclaim for one of its VFP members, Greg Boertje-Obed, 57, who, along with two other courageous Transform Now Plowshares disarmament activ- ists, Sr. Megan Rice, 82, and Michael Walli, 63, engaged in nonviolent direct action by cutting through four chain link fences and entering the presuma- Ch. 75: Charles Osburn, Richard Smith, and Dennis Stout tabling at bly, highly secure, nuclear weapons Crosby, Stills, and Nash Concert factory near Oak Ridge, Tennessee, last July 28th. Their action has drawn international CHAPTER 75 PHOENIX, AZ attention to the U.S. ongoing, illegal RICHARD A. SMITH and deceptive production of rede- Members of Ch. 72 renovating the signed H-bombs in violation of the Peace Memorial Park Phoenix Chapter 75 had a busy Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and Fall 2012 and Spring 2013. Sep- the president’s promise of seeking “a tember found us tabling at the world without nuclear weapons.” CHAPTER 72 PORTLAND, OREGON Crosby, Stills, and Nash (CSN) The three now face serious felony MARION WARD concert in Phoenix. The perfor- charges. To provide them not only mance was superb and they per- moral support, but also to help spread Members are hard at work renovat- formed a rousing version of Gra- their message for an end to nuclear ing the Peace Memorial Park in Port- ham Nash’s Military Madness. weaponry, VFP Chapter 80 has host- land. A winning design was chosen Our annual appearance in the VA- ed a SignOn.org petition to get more from the architectural landscape class sponsored Phoenix Veterans Day people educated and involved. VFP at a local community college. The parade on November 12 was well members nationally can access the peace sign will be outlined with bank- received but not without controver- petition at /signon.org/sign/us-1-stop- chipped paths with drought-resistant sy. One female spectator shouted nuclear-weapons. Chapter 80 asks native perennials in the middle sec- as we walked past, “You are the other chapters across the country to tions. Fundraising is well under way guys who were afraid to get shot disseminate this petition. with completion of the project antici- at.” More troubling was the VA pa- Chapter 80 is also educating the pated before the end of summer. rade committee’s decision to cen- local public by hosting an April 15th A successful program and fundrais- sor a portion of our entry descrip- Tax Day Rally with a No Taxes for ing event to benefit the Vietnam tion. We immediately petitioned the War! message. Using its billboard- Friendship Village took place in VA for a meeting to address our type parade float, Duluth citizens will March. Don Blackburn, Becky Lu- concerns. Our meeting, which was learn that they have, since 9/11, ening, and Chris Knight all took part in held on March 15, is discussed fur- squandered $445.1 million of their tax the program. Don, a Vietnam veteran, ther below. dollars on US military adventurism, 12 dollars that could have been better monthly Peace Vigils, our support of which are delivered late at night to the spent in the local community! the Boycott Divestment and Sanction homeless in downtown San Diego by To host this event, Chapter 80 is (BDS) movement (anti-Soda Stream chapter members, continues to pro- partnering with Grandmothers for picketing), our monthly serving lunch vide this life-saving support to the Peace, Loaves and Fishes, the North- to homeless folks, and other anti-war poorest of the poor downtown, many land Anti-War Coalition, and the Twin and/or pro-peace events that come of whom are veterans. This quarter Ports MoveOn Council. along - like Cindy Sheehan’s cross- we have given our Sleeping Bag Sets country bike tour, Tour de Peace. #1500-1650 with more on order. $33 CHAPTER 87, SACRAMENTO, CA buys a sleeping bag set. sdvfp.org/ JOHN C. REIGER CHAPTER 91 SAN DIEGO, CA campaign-of-compassion/ Chapter members are involved in a Protesting against military drones GIL FIELD monthly book review and discussion has been a big part of our actions. This past quarter, as usual, has on Home To War by Gerald Nicosia, Nearby Beale Air Force Base, with its been a very active one for the Hugh which is an excellent history of the drone squadron, see us quite regular- Thompson Memorial Chapter. The Vietnam Veterans Movement. ly as part of a Code Pink protest. One year started with our participation in Members volunteer for dinner prepa- of our members earned an arrest for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. ration for 400-500 homeless folks his actions (charges later dropped). Parade here in San Diego. Unex- once a month at the oldest African American church here in San Diego. Lastly, we are strategizing and mak- ing plans to visit the five congress- men/women who represent San Die- go. We have learned that even those congressmen on the other side will always listen to veterans, but some- times getting in the door is the trick. With our past persistence, all doors of the local five are now open to us and our messages.

CHAPTER 102, MILWAUKEE, WI Ch. 80: Michael Walli, Sr. Megan Rice, and Greg Boertje-Obed (left to right) BILL CHRISTOFFERSON pectedly, this parade honoring a He followed that up by spending a man of peace, has become a display Our chapter joined other veterans week at Creech Air Force Base in Ne- piece for the military, ROTC, and law and citizens groups in speaking out vada protesting the armed drones that enforcement groups here in San Die- against Governor. Scott Walker’s deci- are piloted from that base. He also go, including the FBI which of course sion to reject money from the federal participated in the Peace March from spied illegally on Dr. King in the Affordable Care Act, which will deny Las Vegas to the nuclear test site in 1950’s and 1960’s. affordable health care options to Nevada. Some of our members trav- San Diego is the home to two are 1,700 veterans and their spouses. eled to San Francisco for the anti- the largest drone manufacturers Three chapter members spoke at a drone rally and march on April 13, and (General Atomics and Northrup news conference across the street we co-sponsored an anti-drone rally in Grumman), and we hosted a nation- from Zablocki VA Hospital: Roger Sacramento later that day as part of a al week of drone awareness and Quindel, a former county supervisor; National Day of Protest. Tax day, April demonstrations over the April 4th-7th Mark Foreman, a member of the na- 15 found a bunch of us (and Code weekend. Nearly 100 people attend- tional VFP board; and Tracey Sperko, Pink friends) in front of the local feder- ed the walk and rally and both local, a registered nurse at the VA Hospital, al building protesting the military use national and international press cov- on behalf of Wisconsin Federation of of our tax dollars, and (once again) ered the event. Nurses. the military use of killer drones. We “Earth Fair” San Diego, touted as Veterans Book Project. had a drone fly over that day. the 3rd largest Earth Day event in Earlier in April, VFP members partic- Some of our members attended the the country, was attended by 80,000 ipated in the opening of the Veterans Northern California VFP Conference people, many of whom came by our Book Project at the Milwaukee Art where we were very pleased to meet booth and talked to Dave Patterson, Museum. The exhibition, Objects for our new National President, Patrick our “drone man”, who brought our Deployment, includes a library of 50 McCann, and our new Executive Di- scale model drone along for people books that artist Monica Haller created rector Mike Reid who made the long to look at. Our booth was well at- in collaboration with veterans and oth- trip from the East and Midwest to hob- tended by chapter members, and we ers—in Milwaukee and elsewhere— nob with us left-coasters. Opportuni- raised over $900 in donations for our telling of their experiences of the ties to talk to small groups, like high general fund, drone activities, and American wars in Iraq and Afghani- school classes and other peace our Compassion Campaign. stan. groups, have cropped up recently. Our Compassion Campaign, raises Roger Quindel, a Vietnam veteran And we continue our weekly and funds and buys sleeping bag sets and VFP member, also has a book in 13 the exhibit. The books are available Communities – Not the Pentagon 2012 to a full house. A second theme to read online or can be downloaded Bus Tour from Baltimore to D.C. in of economic and social justice was at veteransbookproject.com/ In con- the. The tour opened at a Baltimore included. Besides our usual anti-war junction with a local bookstore, the school with presentations by Fred songs and poems, people heard chapter sponsored a reading and Mason (President of the Maryland/ songs slamming our "Governator" book signing by authors of two new DC AFL-CIO and an original co- Scott Walker. Throughout April and works of fiction that look at the lives convener of USLAW) and others. May, some of our members worked of those who go to war and what hap- The tour then moved to five addi- phone banks to recall the Governor of pens to them when they return. tional sites and concluded at the the 1%. In the end, Koch brothers $ Capitol with a rally decrying the pri- defeated grass roots and the scoun- CHAPTER 104, EVANSVILLE, IN oritization of war funding at the ex- drel stayed in office. Over the sum- LYNN KINKADE pense of community needs. mer we said goodbye to Korean War In January, we voted to make Chuck On February 17, we participated vet, founding member and longtime Hagel, Vietnam vet and then Secre- with 40,000 others in the Forward chapter president Ed Filemyr and his tary of Defense nominee, an honorary On Climate, demonstration at the wife Sara as they moved to New Mexi- member of Veterans for Peace be- Capitol against the Keystone XL co. We will miss their leadership and cause of his experiences as a veter- Pipeline, which threatens the envi- service. an; for his expressly stated views that ronment from Canada to Texas, We joined with another peace group “there is no glory in war, only suffer- especially to the Great Plains’ Ogal- in town to request that a one acre traf- ing;” and his stated reluctance to com- lala aquifer. On this blustery day we fic triangle facing Lake Michigan be mit troops to war. The chapter re- stood behind a VFP banner held at declared a Peace Park by the city. We ceived a gracious thank-you letter one end by Mike Marceau from D.C. are pleased to announce that the mo- from him in return. Chapter 16 and at the other by tion passed the city council in April. On February 8, Chapter 104 mem- members from New Jersey, Maine, The park already has an eight foot bers Gary May, Dave Helfrich, and and Pennsylvania. white pole bearing the word peace in Lynn Kinkade met with Indianapolis On April 5-7, at Towson Univer- six different languages. In September Chapter 49 members Ken Barger, sity, we participated in the New Fac- six of us took part in a Peace Parade Esteban Ortiz, and Pat Carrithers in es of War national conference of in West Bend organized by our friend Bloomington to discuss common is- Historians Against the War. Chap- Tom Haibig. On November 11th, thir- sues. We found that both chapters are ter members Ellen Barfield and Jim facing many of the same issues, in- Baldridge participated in panels on cluding recruitment, how best to or- Militarism, Gender and Sexual Vio- ganize our chapters and what projects lence and US Soldiers and the Vi- we should focus on so that we are not etnam Experience. spread too thin. We discussed con- Chapter 105 is now planning the tacting student veterans groups to try annual 17 May Catonsville Nine to increase the participation of Iraq event at the site of the 1968 draft and Afghanistan vets. We also dis- records burning, and working with cussed supporting and attending each the coalition preparing for the Pfc. others' events. Bradley Manning trial, which begins Chapter 104 has become actively in June at Ft. Meade. involved with the local chapter of Jobs with Justice, understanding our com- mon interests in moving the country away from a war economy to one that strives for full and decent employment ty people gathered at the Peace Pole for workers and support for their fami- to observe Armistice Day once again. lies. As the year drew to a close, chapter Earth Day in a local woods provided members Craig Wayh and myself trav- the opportunity for our chap ter to eled to the S.O.A Watch protest at present information on the environ- Fort Benning, GA. Each December we mental costs of war. Craft activities for donate to a worthy cause. This year Ch. 105 at Fund Our Communities – kids were provided to help them find we answered a request from Kathy ways to resolve conflicts peacefully, Not the Pentagon Bus Tour Kelly of Voices for Creative Nonvio- and to create peace catchers to help lence. She told us of 35 children build global peace. CHAPTER 114 SHEBOYGAN, WI freezing to death in refugee camps in Afghanistan. Her Duvet Project allows TOM CONTRESTAN CHAPTER 105 BALTIMORE, MD our dollars to pay local women to sew Greetings folks. We've missed a duvet sleeping bags for the children, JIM BALDRIDGE number of issues of the newsletter thus providing modest employment The Phil Berrigan Memorial Chapter so here's what we've been up to in and warm comfort for the kids. participated with 60 other coalition the past year. We held our 8th an- We lost another founding member, members in the 23 March Fund Our nual Anti-War Concert in March WWII vet Skip Kuehnel passed away 14 Doug & Dorothy were married for 60 in December. A good friend and the French Communists and Social- years in which they were involved in champion for peace and justice for ists because of his age, he was ac- Peace activism. Doug said:" I served over 60 years. cepted by the anarchist Durruti Col- in War, now I'm for Peace" As 2013 began, we hosted our 9th umn of the International Brigades Our Chapter still has fresh memo- annual Anti-War concert on March 23 and served for a year. During World ries of college professor Veteran, to a full house. We were proud to pre- War II, he served with the Free Robert Mack's outstanding monthly sent Ms. Margaret Rozga, reading a French forces in North Africa and series about PTSD and his leadership few poems. Peggy is the widow of with the U.S. Fifth Army in Italy and in VFP bi-weekly book discussion Father James Groppi, legendary civil France. George was fond of saying, group on Howard Zinn's, Peoples US rights activist in Milwaukee during the “I sleep like a baby because I fought History. 1960's. for the proletariat.” People who This year we have presented well We of Wisconsin's Mid-West Coast knew him are fortunate because received showings of John Perkins look forward to meeting and greeting there aren’t many like him anymore. (Economic Hit Man) Speech from VFP our VFP brothers and sisters in Madi- He knew the importance of what he Seattle Convention; and Howard son this summer. fought for. When the fascists were Zinn's Story (You Can't Stand Still on defeated he laid down his arms, but a Moving Train).; William Colby CHAPTER 115 RED WING, MN he didn’t give up the fight. When he (Super Spy and CIA Head) Story. For saw an injustice in the world, he EMMA ONAWA Cinco de Mayo Celebration a showing was there trying to change it. I think of Soldados (5 Chicano cotton field Chapter 115 is planning busily for he slept like a baby because he workers serve in the killing fields of their annual Peacestock retreat, to be kept fighting. Viet Nam) followed by three Chicano held July 13 in Hager City, Wisconsin He was an inspiration to our chap- Viet Nam Vets comments. (peacestockvfp.org). Confirmed pre- ter. He never missed a noon Friday Chapter 129 just completed collabo- senters include Bill Blum, Kathy Kelly, protest of the Iraq War at Colony rating with three community groups Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, and poet Square. He and his wife Bernice (social justice, health and non- Misty Rowan. Also under considera- “Birdie” were present at innumera- political) in public programs. A DVD tion are a regional chapter meeting ble demonstrations. He was pas- of Health Care shortfalls followed by and smaller group workshops. Dinner sionate about many causes. He vol- professional speakers on wars take is included in the price of a ticket. For unteered for twenty years at the funding from Health Care. This co- more information, please contact Bill Atlanta Federal Penitentiary provid- sponsoring is the idea of and promot- Habedank, [email protected] or ing counsel for alcoholics and drug ed & strongly supported by Don Emma Onawa addicts. Someone once called Bruestle, a Viet Nam combat Vet. Co- at [email protected]. homeless people lazy and he gave Sponsoring like these have of- The chapter recently donated $500 them an earful: “How do you know fered more programs for members to the YMCA for low-income youth that?” he said, “Maybe they just and the public. We have increased scholarships and is also looking to need a chance.” attendance & interest in VFP and pay for scholarships for low-income He was a good man and we will gained opportunities to advertise VFP youth to attend peace camp. miss him. Chapter members are in the process programs, such as the Annual VFP of asking the Red Wing City Council Memorial Service which aims to honor to adopt the Minnesota Arms Spend- service of all vets without celebration ing Alternatives Project (MNASAP) of wars. resolution calling for a shift of military spending to domestic priorities. A CHAPTER 134 TACOMA, WA rally, petition drive, and presentation RAY NACANAYNAY to the city council are planned. Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer created the After helping Coffee Strong, the G.I. MNASAP. Get more info at coffee house next to Joint Base Lewis -McChord, move into its new expand- mnasap.org/. George Sossenko, Ch. 125 in action. ed site we joined them in celebration on April 13th. David Dittemore, our CHAPTER 125 ATLANTA, GA CHAPTER 129 PUEBLO, CO chapter's VP, is a G.I. Rights Counse- REID JENKINS CHARLES BUTLER lor there and I was on its Board. That

same day I also socialized with the On March 14, George Sossenko, The Howard Zinn Chapter has Philippine Scouts Heritage Society at the president of our chapter, died at primarily been promoting infor- its convention in Tacoma. I was like the age of 94. A beautiful memorial mation in presentations related to them once, but I’ve grown. VFP 92's service was held for him on April 21 at the cost of war plus some special Pio De Cano was there as well. I the Atlanta Unitarian Universalist Con- events, such as Veterans Poetry purchased a copy of their video, The gregation. Night in honor of member Dorothy Forgotten Soldiers. Sossenko was born in Russia, but Gale and a luncheon honoring Doug Arlington Northwest is scheduled for grew up mostly in Paris. When he was Gale who was a combat WWII Vet- display along Tacoma's waterfront on 16 he left home to fight in the Spanish eran and VFP 129 Charter Member. Memorial Day weekend, May 25 - 27, Civil War. After being turned down by After discharge from the Navy, 15 as usual ( photos @ vfptaco- Convention continued cultures together. Esty is an Israeli ma.com. It will include once again military veteran who is now using Lincoln Grahlfs, at a ceremony and an interpretation of The Suicide her skills as a meditation teacher to talk held at the nearby Capitol Wall based on the book by the help veterans work through their Lakes Retirement Center. Linc has same title. Meeker Days in pain. She will be available to give been with VFP since 1989, serving Puyallup will enjoy the presence of meditation sessions and to present a six of these years on the National our booth once again in June. It will workshop on meditation. Board. He is also the national vice- feature the painting Priorities vs. By the way, in April the VFP na- commander of the National Associa- Consumption by M.K. Johnson and tional board agreed to drop the con- tion of Atomic Veterans. He is an a "bean counter" to present the real vention registration fee from $200 to author, a recently retired university and imagined cost of war. The $100. That and the efforts of the lo- professor, and an out-spoken critic "bean counter" was Dave Zink and cal VFP members to seek out alter- of this country's nuclear weapons Tom Karlin's handiwork. Meanwhile native, less expensive housing op- Charley Dils has been getting librar- tions, speaks to our desire to make ies, universities and colleges to dis- this year's convention as accessible tribute the War Crimes Times. as possible to as many of you as possible. CHAPTER 157 NC TRIANGLE JOHN HEUER

On February 9, Eisenhower Chapter members teamed up with Viet Nam Tour continued members of Chapter 99 and 20,000 Beneficiaries will be Agent Orange friends in the annual HK on J March victim families, victims of unexploded and Rally for Justice in Raleigh, ordnance and cleanup programs, and sponsored by the NC NAACP and some of the other facilities we visited. 150 statewide partner organiza- We encouraged members of this tions. Lincoln Grahlfs year’s delegation to share travel notes Chapter members addressed the and observations which we will in- rally with a report of the Bring Our program. I'm sure that the local clude on VFP Chapter 160’s blog at War Dollars Home resolution Madison peace activists won't let http://vfp-vn.ning.com/. Next year’s trip passed in January by the Raleigh this opportunity go without celebrat- is already taking shape; the dates are City Council. ing this much-beloved activist's Saturday 29 March to Saturday 12 On April 6, chapter members par- work, but I'm also sure that Linc April. Nadya Williams, our indispen- ticipated in the launch of Orange won't miss this opportunity to inform sable stateside trip coordinator, has County’s Bring Our War Dollars us of the perils of nuclear war. A already received tentative commit- Home campaign, featuring VFP celebration and a teachable mo- ments from a dozen likely participants, President Patrick McCann, US Rep. ment -- what better way to close off so the slots are starting to fill up. Con- David Price, Orange Co. Commis- this convention and go back into our tact Nadya for details at nadyano- sioner Renee Price, Chapel Hill communities inspired, informed, and [email protected]. Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt, Carrboro proud to be members of Veterans Alderman Sammy Slade, Board of For Peace. Education member Mia Burroughs Throughout the convention. We and other local citizens testifying to will be setting up separate rooms for the deficit of community services. David Giffey's artwork and Luke Patrick also participated in out Wilcox's collection, as well as set- chapter meeting following the public ting aside Esty Dinur's meditation forum, and attended the 30th anni- room for convention goers to use Keep up with versary Martin Luther King Banquet throughout the weekend. All three for Jobs and Justice sponsored by spaces are designed for VFP mem- Convention Black Workers for Justice in Ra- bers to use as places for reflection leigh. about war and the work of peace Speakers, On April 21 the chapter hosted a that is now our lives. David was a screening of Sir! No Sir! followed combat journalist, who will be dis- Workshops, Events and by a discussion of the Alternative playing some of his work from the Vietnam War Commemoration Pro- Long Shadow: Memories of Vietnam more!! ject, led by associate member How- collection. Luke is deeply involved ie Machtinger. Howie’s presenta- with Iraqi American Reconciliation tion, originally delivered to an audi- Project (IARP) that has presented vfpnationalconvention.org ence in Austin, TX, can be found at more than 50 shows around the ncveteransforpeace.org. country, displaying films, paintings, etc to bring the Iraq and American

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Why I Am a Veteran For Peace

Steve Yoczik At Large Member, Florida

I am a War Resister. In 2006 I went AWOL to Canada after realiz- ing I was about to participate in business as usual for this country - occupation, re-education, redistribu- tion of resources back to our shores. After turning myself in in 2009, I moved to the DC Chapter House of IVAW, where I spent the next year. Patrick Eddington After that, I went back home to Flori- Chapter 016, Washington, DC da in an attempt to try and recon- Ken Barger nect with family after being away for My war was Desert Storm, though so long, and a general desire to "be Chapter 049, Indianapolis unlike many of my contemporaries I normal" again. This, of Lifetime Member fought it from a light table at a 24 hour course, failed for several reasons, watch center, writing the main one being the irreversible I went to Vietnam to fight for Free- intelligence reports on the Iraqi inva- change within myself, and the inabil- dom and Democracy. In one opera- sion of Kuwait, and then the war ity to "go back to being normal". tion, I looked down from a helicopter itself. The threat of potential chemical When Occupy started, I saw and saw two Viet Cong. I looked at weapons use was a constant something separate from the corpo- where they had disappeared, and as concern, but during the war the official ratized protests I'd witnessed after I far as I could see there was only word was "Nothing happened, became a radical. I saw a chance to death and destruction. I thought, "You all false alarms". As I would subse- finally exercise my oath in an honest know if I was a Vietnamese peasant quently learn later in my tenure at way, and so I became a part of Oc- I'd be out with the Viet Cong fighting the CIA, that was a lie. cupy Tampa in November 2011. the Americans." What the hell had I I resigned in protest from the CIA I'm still here, and was present dur- just thought? I decided that this war in 1996 and subsequently wrote two ing the RNC. I chose to represent had nothing to do with Freedom and books that dealt with what became VFP at this time, and will continue to Democracy, and that we were killing known as "Gulf War Syndrome": do so indefinitely. people and destroying the homeland Gassed in the Gulf and Long Strange of people defending themselves from Journey. Through my work in VFP, I'm invaders... just like we would do. But it keeping faith with vets of all eras. took me years to come to recognize what fighting in a war had done to me. "War is hell" is not about the threat of death... it's about the kind of person I became in war. Having learned the worst I could be as a human being, I decided that now I wanted to work for an America that lives up to our ideals, a people who not only turn away from policies of war but who truly promote peace and justice in the world.

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POETRYPOETRY

Turntables If things were the other way around 20-year-old Iraqi soldiers would write home about the cold New York winter. About watching snow blow from frozen lakes. Dreams

A Captain would stand under a tall pine in Appalachia and call home to Baghdad on a satellite phone. They’d try to be cheerful and tell about skunks, hummingbirds and I'm sorry the mountains. to all the people who expected me John Stewart would throw his shoes at President Maliki. to uphold the norms Children would scribble the number and type of every enemy vehicle in Crayon. of mainstream bourgeois society. Graffiti on concrete barriers would tell Iraqis to go home in broken Arabic. A patrol of foreign mercenaries wiped out. The corpses hung from the Brooklyn Bridge. I died that day Youngsters in hoodies and Tims laughing it up for the camera. when I looked up into the wide Iraqi sky Elderly home owners behind closed doors, clutching shotguns, waiting for the house and saw raids. Thousands of Iraqi soldiers would be shipped home in sleek metal containers that the universe draped with a corresponding flag. is hollow, There would be withdrawal timetables and multi-national water corporations bidding a wasteland, on Lake Erie. There’d be retired Iraqi generals on Al-Jazeera talking about Canada but I hadn't yet seen giving advanced weaponry to insurgents. The politicians would tell you all about the that the universe need to occupy Texas in order to keep Mexico out. is hallowed. Iraqi soldiers would take re-enlistment oaths under the St Louis Arch, in the shadow I had to live of the Washington Monument. Two hundred thousand protestors would march for myself, down Haifa Street demanding an end to the war. Iraqi veterans would return to and follow my dream. mosques, classrooms and Parliament to speak about the murder and destruction. I had to be true The war crimes. to myself, and be myself, There would be rebels in the woods called the Yellow Ribbon Brigade. Red Dawn in to be free. every town. If things were the other way around, we’d know the unjust sting of oc- And a few years cupation. in jail Nathan Lewis seemed like nothing compared to a lifetime in chains. So here I am. By day I dream of the future, by night I'm haunted by the past. At times I look up to the sky in wonder, and wonder if my dream still dreams of me. Kyle De Wolf

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216 S Meramec Ave VFP NEWSLETTER Non-Profit Org. St Louis MO 63105 US Postage SUMMER 2013 PAID veteransforpeace.org St. Louis, Missouri Permit # 5414

VFP Statement of Purpose

We, having dutifully served our nation, do hereby affirm our greater responsibility to serve the cause of world peace. To this end we will work, with others Don’t Forget to Check the VFP Store! To increase public awareness of the costs of war To restrain our government from intervening, We didn’t have room in this issue to include the store order overtly and covertly, in the internal affairs of form — so go to veteransforpeace.org to see what’s availa- other nations ble, or give us a call to place your order! To end the arms race and to reduce & eventual- ly eliminate nuclear weapons To seek justice for veterans and victims of war To abolish war as an instrument of national policy. Updates on Convention

To achieve these goals, members of Veterans For Speakers, Workshops, Events Peace pledge to use non-violent means and to main- tain an organization that is both democratic and and more!! open with the understanding that all members are trusted to act in the best interests of the group for the larger purpose of world peace. vfpnationalconvention.org