VFP Chapter Actions - 2006
118 - Nikko Schoch Chapter - Salt Lake City, Utah
December 1, 2006
The newly named Nikko Schoch chapter 118 in Salt lake City, Utah
adopted the G. I. Rights Hotline as the chapter project. The Salt Lake
City Branch of the G. I. Rights Hotline began operations on Veterans
Day November 11, 2006. Air Force veteran Trish Withus counsels on
women's issues, and Vietnam Vet Rick Miller helps with crisis
intervention and PTSD issues. Coordinator Aaron Davis advises active,
reserve and national guard troops on hardship, discharge, AWOL, CO and
DADT information.
The G. I. Rights Hotline is operated by the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors out of the Oakland, California office and can be reached by calling 800-394-9544 or www.girights.org. The Salt Lake City branch can be reached at 801-556-0599 or aaronmdavis@msn.com.
027 - Minneapolis, MN
November 11, 2006
The morning sun helped keep the sharp chill off of the forty plus present at the chapter’s Armistice Day memorial held at the “First Shot Memorial” on the capitol mall Saturday, November 11. The group remembered the fallen from previous wars and the current Iraq occupation.
Wayne Wittman introduced Molly Culligan who read from a Martin Luther King, Jr. biography that recounted his condemnation of the administrations’ involvement in the U.S. war in Vietnam. Anyone who arrived after Molly started could have thought she her remarks were about the current state of the Bush occupation policy. The bell was then struck eleven times at 11 a.m in honor of the original intent of Armistice Day, reminding those present of the promise of the “War to end all wars.” John Varone read the names of the forty-four Minnesotans killed in Afghanistan and Iraq since President Bush ordered the attack on those two countries.Jack Rossbach remembered his four old friends' names that are on the Vietnam Wall and one that is not. The one not listed returned and later took his own life. Dr. David Harris reviewed briefly his recent experience in Louisiana that followed up his earlier volunteer efforts there after Katrina. He highlighted the racial policies that still prevail.
055 - Joan Duffy Chapter
November 13, 2006
The turnout for the parade was terrific; VFP was clearly the most visible presence in the audience for the ceremony at the Bataan Memorial, with VFP flags and signs in every part of the crowd. The reception for the VFP contingent was overwhelmingly positive and welcoming.
And it would be impossible to thank Tim Origer and Joe Mowrey enough for being the driving force behind the Iraq/Afghanistan Memorial Installation. The tabling crew on the Plaza reports that at least a thousand people came by during the day before the crew took down the banners.
Among the unexpected benefits of the Installation was a visit from the governor. Bill Richardson was very impressed with the memorial and asked Tim whether it would stay up. Tim responded that we would be taking it down at the end of the day, "... But it would be nice to put it up in the Round House rotunda some time." The governor agreed; so Tim asked when we could do it. "During the legislative session," the governor replied.
131 - Oklahoma Chapter
November 13, 2006
Elizabeth Aven and her classmates raised over $2100 for body armor! We
were honored to help support the efforts by Elizabeth and made her an
honorary associate member of OK VFP.
[ Watch Video Clip | Photos ]
118 - Salt Lake City, Nikko Schoch Chapter
November 11, 2006
Chapter 118 members gathered veterans day to honor vietnam vet hamburger hill survivor and chapter 118 co-founder Nikko Schoch who passed away august 5, 2006. The chapter is now named in his honor. The new chapter banner was unfurled, tributes given and taps played. Participating were chapter members Larry Chadwick, Donna Barrett, Trish Withus, Rick Miller, Dr. Robert Littlehale (Patrobas), Gene Barrett shown calming Nikkos dog Heshe, Nikkos longtime friend Annie Bloom, and Bob Robbins. The salt lake city branch of the G.I. Rights hotline kicked off operations november 11 with chapter sponsorship of the project. Trish Withus and Rick Miller are counselors. caption and photo by Aaron Davis
102 - Milwaukee, WI Chapter
November 4, 2006
Since we're not allowed in the Veterans Day Parade in Milwaukee, we decided to get in their faces. VFP and VVAW had the help of many peaceful people to install Arlington - Great Lakes, in a park where the parade makes a 90 degree turn. Everyone in the parade was forced to look at it.
I believe we had almost as many people helping to set up the display as were lined up to watch the whole length of the parade. [ News Story | Pictures ]
058 - Catskill Mountain
October 10, 2006
Two World War II veterans from VFP Catskill Mountain Chapter 058, Jay Wenk and Joan Keefe, have been counter-recruiting in front of the Military Recruiting Office in Kingston, New York for over a year and a half. Their activities consist of displaying a flag at half-staff, anti-war, anti-Bush signs, and handing out information to potential recruits and passersby. They also read aloud the names, ages, and home towns of soldiers killed in Iraq.