Last August the national board began a strategic planning
process. We believe the development of a national strategic plan will help us
be more effective and efficient as an organization in moving toward our goals.
During this process there will be many opportunities for your input. Your input
is critical for its success.
The board has brainstormed a list of activities and campaigns
implemented by our chapters and members in efforts to accomplish the mission of
Veterans For Peace. We would like you to look at the list.
We invite you to apply to become a member of Veterans Peace Teams (VPT) and join with other military veterans across the U.S. as we plan to nonviolently stand in solidarity with the courageous citizens of the Occupy movement against excessive force by local police departments.
The Board formed a committee to address concerns over our policy re: Associate Members, guided by the belief that all members want the same thing, a strong VFP that can be effective in moving the peace movement ahead. After much research and discussion, the committee issued their report. It brings up important issues effecting the daily workings of our organization and challenges us, as individual members, to live up to the high ideals behind VFP. I hope you will read it.
The Board would like to thank the committee members for their diligent
work. After reviewing it, we made some changes which you can find here.
San Francisco/San Mateo, CA- Today, Congresswoman Jackie Speier issued a statement on the Department of Defense (DOD) annual "Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies" released yesterday. The report reveals a 58.5% increase from the last academic year, and further shows that the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point was found to be "not in compliance" with the DOD's sexual assault prevention policy.
People of
color, including Native Americans, African-Americans, Latinos, and
working class communities in America have long been on the receiving end
of police brutality.
Now with the recent police violence directed toward the
Occupy movement, the country at large is waking up to the unpleasant
reality that the violence of the system can and will target anyone who
stands up for justice and opposes the exploitation of the 99 percent by
the 1 percent.
The Veterans
For Peace mission statement states that we pledge to work for
peaceful conflict resolution and the elimination of war-the ultimate
violence. As veterans of conscience, we are compelled to take a stand
against police violence toward the national Occupy movement.
"Brian was never able to recover
from his deep sadness over the death of his brother Alex..."
Brother of Fallen Marine Takes His Life Due to Complicated Grief
Roslindale, MA - This week, the Foley and Arredondo
families lost their 24 year old son Brian. Brian Arredondo tragically
took his own life on Monday,
December 19th in Norwood, MA.
The
holidays can be stressful for those who have lost loved ones and face
an empty chair at their dinner table. As most families prepare for the
holidays, the Foley and Arredondo families are making Brian's funeral
arrangements. Victoria Foley, mother to both Brian and Alex, must face
the holidays with her youngest and surviving son Nathan and then funeral
services soon afterwards.
The end of the Iraqi war and the return of U.S. troops marked the end
of everyday worry for the families of those serving. Unfortunately for
the families who lost loved ones in that war, it did not bring an end
to their grief and suffering. Their loved ones would never return.
This was the case for the Arredondo and Foley families. Brian was never
able to recover from his deep sadness over the death of his brother
Alex, a condition called complicated grief.
"The 400 pages of interrogations, once closely guarded as secrets of war, were supposed to have been destroyed as the last American troops prepare to leave Iraq. Instead, they were discovered...at a junkyard outside Baghdad. An attendant was burning them as fuel to cook a dinner of smoked carp."
The landmark case holding former defense secretaries Gates and Rumsfeld accountable for an 'epidemic' of rape within the military ranks has been dismissed. (Courtesy of thedailybeast.com)
Act
to support alleged WikiLeaks whistle-blower and rights of Americans
everywhere! International Solidarity Day of Action planned for December
17th!
After
560 days of pretrial confinement, including 250 days spent in solitary
conditions, the Military has finally announced that PFC Bradley
Manning's first day in court will happen on December 16th at Fort Meade,
MD outside of Washington DC.
PFC
Bradley Manning is accused of uncovering the facts behind a system of
foreign policy that routinely hides abuse from public scrutiny. "If
convicted of all charges, Manning would face a maximum punishment... of
confinement for life" the U.S. Army reports.
All of us on the VFP staff, Virginia Druhe, Chrissie Brooks, Shelly Rockett, Doug Zachary, Tammy Severino and Mike Ferner, thank Lee Winters for this beautiful video and join him in wishing PEACE to every one of us on Earth!
