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Veterans For Peace - 20 Years of Waging Peace
Memorial Day Actions - 2009

Memorial Day 2009

Madison, WI

madison

Chapter 25 (Madison WI Clarence Kailin chapter) installed the 4th version of its Memorial Mile since Veterans' Day, 2007.  It stood for a full week along Forest Hill Cemetery and was seen by thousands of drivers and many walkers/bicyclists between May 23-30.  We would like NOT to need to install it a 5th time, but hope is seems elusivet when the Pentagon speaks of years of effort to achieve "victory".  How hollow that word.  Whether contemplated at dawn on Memorial Day (top) or in the loneliness of night watch, the rows of tombstones flow endlessly....(photo by Paul McMahon)

Portland, OR

Veterans For Peace Chapter 72 commemorated Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th again at the "forgotten" walls of the Memorial Coliseum. This will be the fifth year VFP 72 has stepped away from the traditional militaristic ceremonies and rhetoric to honor our fallen brothers and sisters in arms. The location of the "forgotten" walls of the Memorial Coliseum provides us with a sanctuary away from the "official" Memorial Day observances which speak of the glory and sacrifice of the fallen. General Ulysses S. Grant, eighteenth President of the United States said it best, "The one thing I never want to see again is a military parade".

The Coliseum has been in the news lately and has caused much discussion about its future. We have taken no position on its future except that the "forgotten walls" should be preserved as a lasting testament to those brothers in arms whose names are engraved for all to see if they chose to visit them, something that not many have done, which is an unfortunate reflection on our society.

We invited the public to share in our quiet ceremony. After taps was played we walked to the Peace Memorial Park of Portland, a short distance down Interstate Ave. where it intersects with N. Oregon at the East end of the Steel Bridge, where we reflected on all victims of war, military and civilians alike.

At the Peace Memorial Park Cindy Sheehan and Benji Lewis spoke to the gathered after remarks by VFP 72 President Grant Remington. 75 peace loving citizens of Portland attended the ceremony at the "Forgotten Walls" and were joined by another 50 or so at the Peace Memorial Park. Artist Nancy Hiss of the Iraq Names Project chalked the word "Peace" in many languages around the newly planted Peace Memorial Park peace sign. After the speeches the gathering of peacemakers stayed for about an hour enjoying each others company and renewing old acquaintances.

Read more from Portland

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benji lewis

Boston, MA

See Boston photos

Killeen, TX

doug zacharyYesterday I attended a peace march and rally in Killeen in support of active duty war resisters. There were members of Veterans For Peace from all over Texas at the march.

The poignant moment of the day was when Travis Bishop and Victor Agosto, both active duty war resisters, spoke of their gratitude to the assembled group under the trees and to everyone in the movement who supports them and their cause. Victor gave a special "Thanks!" to the Veterans who were in attendance. It was then that I missed the presence of IVAW Texas members Brian, Matt, Hart, Summer, Greg, Bryan, Mike, Ronn ... but it was good to see so many resisters at the event.

How would the viability of Under The Hood be affected by the mobility of the soldiers, as each discharged soldier seeks and finds new lives? Yesterday answered that question for me; the Peace Veteran movement is alive and thriving in the Army at Fort Hood. The most recent cadre of War resisters are finding solace, support and community at Under The Hood. I believe that Chapter 66 should  work to ensure the viability of Under The Hood Cafe. http://underthehoodcafe.org

There was a lot of history goin' on in the room and on the streets. I felt the connections going on over the generations. Alice Embry, Board Member of UTH, was there; she had also been at the Oleo Strut, the GI Rights coffeehouse in Killeen during the American War in Viet Nam. I was active throughout Texas in "those days" ... after I was discharged in May 1970 from the Marine Corpse. Throughout the day I would be reminded of having been at the barricades in this decade or that in this struggle or that, with one marcher, then another. Texas was there, for the dissident soldiers and for Under The Hood Cafe.

On Sunday, people of all ages and many world views came from all over Texas to stand behind these young men in the GI Resistance at Fort Hood. It was a moving, uplifting experience.

There was an organizing session held at the end of the day and there were committees formed (roughly) to deal with a range of tactics in support of Victor and Travis; letter writing, petitions, press, fundraising, etc.

On the way back from Killeen, Fran Hanlon, Alice Embree and I set into motion a plan to orchestrate a series of House Parties across the Southwest (Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma ...) aimed at raising some the $36,000 needed by UTH by November 2009. Nine house parties which each raised at least $4,000 would make the budget.

Please contact me (Doug Zachary 512-791-9824 or dbzvfp@gmail.com) if you would be willing to host a party (PLEASE DO!). We are prepared to give you all the guidance you require and we can include a soldier from Under The Hood in any events. One in ten soldiers is at Fort Hood - support of Under The Hood is a nationwide project!

Respectfully,
doug

New York City, NY

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Gainesville, FL

Memorial Mile - We had a 3 day weekend with lots of public support form our community and the surrounding area.  I met people from Tampa who came up to Gainesville to see our memorial.  We had lots of visitors walking and biking the memorial every day between the rains.  I put a flash movie on the front page of the website that shows photos from 3 years of the display from set up to take down.

The Gainesville Sun - His Long War

Seattle, WA

seattle, wa 

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Madison, WI

MADISON (WKOW) - There is again this weekend a reminder about the cost and sacrifice of war.

The group, Veterans for Peace lined the side of speedway road near Forest Hill Cemetery with 5,000 tombstones.

Each represents an American life lost fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan since the 9/11 attacks.

Ninety-eight of them are marked with Wisconsin flags, representing Wisconsin's men and women to lose their lives in the wars.

"We just want to give people an accurate picture of the numbers involved.  When you just hear the phrase 5,000 troops, you maybe think of other ways," said co-organizer Richard Chamberlin.

Veterans for Peace has put the display together the last two years.

The group is holding a rally in James Madison Park on Memorial Day in which members will read aloud the names of Wisconsin's lost soldiers.

Sponsored by VFP

Boston, MA
 Pueblo, CO
 Miami, FL
 Gainesville, FL
 North Texas
 Brunswick, MN
 New York, NY
 Manchester, NH Minneapolis, MN
 San Francisco, CA
 Bethlehem, PA
  Traverse City, MI Chicago, IL
St. Louis, MO
Binghamton, NY
Albany, NY
 Portland, OR
 Houston, TX
    

Boston, MA - Chapter 009

NAME OF EVENT:  Memorial Day For Peace
LOCATION OF EVENT:  Christopher Columbus Park, near Long Wharf, Atlantic Ave. Boston MA
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  Please join Veterans For Peace and Military Families Speak Out for a ceremony for peace on Memorial Day, to remember and mourn those who died — but also to say that we want no more dead in senseless, immoral wars and occupations for oil and American Empire. Instead of glorifying war, we strive to work for peace.
TIME:  12 noon
DATE:  5/25/09
CONTACT INFORMATION:  Nate Goldshlag, nateg@pobox.com
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  Smedley D. Butler Brigade Chapter 9
WEBSITE:  http://smedleyvfp.org

Pueblo, CO -Chapter 129

NAME OF EVENT:  MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND PEACE EVENT 
LOCATION OF EVENT:  Pueblo, CO
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  Pueblo Residents will gather for a Memorial Day Weekend Peace Event to honor fallen troops, their families and the civilian casualties of war.  The theme of this year's Memorial: THE COST OF WAR

Speakers at the event will include :  Colorado State District 46 Representative Sal Pace of Pueblo
Mary Segall, of USAID, and a former Peace Corps volunteer, Frt Binondo, an Iraq War US Army Veteran,  Sister Elaine Lopez Pacheco, Sisters of Mercy Order, D. A. Weaver, WWII Veteran, American Field Service,  Invocation: Reverend Dave Foncannon
Musical entertainment will be provided by the popular Bluegrass Band, Fireweed.

Vigil Details:
Where:  Vietnam War Memorial, 26th and Elizabeth St.

Excellent visuals. People gathering with signs, flowers, and photos.  Candlelight Vigil at the conclusion of this Memorial  Service. Featuring an Arlington West style formation of  crosses .

TIME:  6pm
DATE:  SUNDAY, May 24
CONTACT INFORMATION:  Crystal, cgcarkhuff@msn.com
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  129 

St. Louis, MO - Chapter 061

NAME OF EVENT:  Memorial Day Parade
LOCATION OF EVENT:  Columbia, MO
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  Don Connors Chapter 61 be participating with the Columbia, MO chapter 43 in the Memorial Day parade in Columbia. Speeches, music and recreation afterward at a park nearby.
TIME: 
DATE:  5/18/09
CONTACT INFORMATION:  Woody Powell, woodypowell@gmail.com
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  61
WEBSITE: 

Miami, FL  - Chapter 032

NAME OF EVENT:  Arlington South Beach
LOCATION OF EVENT:  Ocean Drive and 9th to 8th Street
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  Arlington South Beach is being set up once again.
Volunteers Needed:
Please donate a 2, 3, or 4 hour shift to help set up.
Between 8:00am and 2:00pm
TIME:  8:00am to 2:00pm
DATE:  5/23/09
CONTACT INFORMATION:  5/23/09
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  Sam Feldman, 305 588-4247
WEBSITE:  Chapter 032

Gainesville, FL - Chapter 014

NAME OF EVENT:  Memorial Mile
LOCATION OF EVENT:  8th Ave & 34th St NW Gainesville
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  Memorial Mile (see website)
TIME:  All Day
DATE:  5/23-25/09
CONTACT INFORMATION:  Scott Camil 352-375-2563
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  #14
WEBSITE:  http://www.afn.org/~vetpeace/

Portland, OR - Chapter 072

LOCATION OF EVENT:  From War to Peace
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  Cindy Sheehan will be in Portland on Memorial Day the 25th of May to participate in Veterans For Peace Chapter 72's annual event "From War to Peace". This event begins with a short ceremony at the Memorial Coliseum at 12 noon in the Courtyard of the Korean War memorial. After Taps is played we will march to the Peace Memorial Park where Benji Lewis, a two-tour Marine Veteran/War Resister and Peace Mom Cindy Sheehan will give address to the assembly. There will be music, snacks and good conversation after. As always, the general public is invited to attend.

Later in the day Cindy will give a reading from her new book Myth America: 10 Greatest
Myths of the Robber Class and the Case for Revolution. Doors open at 6pm, reading begins at 630 pm in Main Street Chapel of the 1st Unitarian Universalist Church at 1011 SW 12th Ave in downtown Portland, OR. The reading will be followed by a Reception/Booksigning in the Buchannan Room beginning at around 730 pm. There will be light snacks and coffee available.  $10 suggested min donation no-one turned away
TIME:  12 noon
DATE:  May 25
CONTACT INFORMATION:  info@vfpchapter72.org or call (503) 282-5015 
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  72

Grand Prairie, TX - Chapter 106

NAME OF EVENT:  Peaceful Tomorrow with Our Troops & Vets 5K Run/Walk
LOCATION OF EVENT: Mike Lewis Park, 2410 N. Carrier Pkwy, Grand Prairie, TX 75050
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Road race -- for healthy fun, competition, camaraderie and to raise funds for a national disabled Veterans’ organization and Veterans For Peace; plus donated toiletries, personal health care items, laundry detergent for SafeHaven of Tarrant County. Age-gender award brackets: Essentially 5-year brackets from 6 & Under - 80 & Over. Net cash proceeds will benefit a national disabled Veterans’ organization and Veterans For Peace; toiletries, personal health items, laundry detergent will benefit SafeHaven of Tarrant County.
TIME: 8:00 AM
DATE: /25/2008
CONTACT INFORMATION:  Bernie, oldbernie@tx.rr.com
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  106

Brunswick, MN - Chapter 001

NAME OF EVENT:  Memorial Day Parade
 LOCATION OF EVENT:  Brunswick, MN
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  Memorial Day Parade
TIME:  8am - 11am
DATE: Monday, May 25, 2009
CONTACT INFORMATION:  vfpmaine@vfpmaine.org
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  Chapter 001
WEBSITE: http://vfpmaine.org

New York, NY - 034

NAME OF EVENT:  Veterans & Military Families Memorial Commemoration for Peace
LOCATION OF EVENT:  NYC VietnamVeterans Memorial – 55Water St. (2 blocks from the Staten Island Ferry) Take #1 or 9 subway train to South Ferry and walk east on Water Street.
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  This year Memorial Day takes on an especially painful meaning
as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan kill and maim more U.S. and coalition soldiers, and even more Iraqi and Afghan civilians, while soldiers and civilians alike continue to sicken and die from the
residual toxins and abandoned ordnance of earlier wars from Indochina to the Persian Gulf.
Join with veterans, military families and others to remember all lost in war and to call for an end to foreign occupations and the safe return of our troops to their homes. On Sunday May 24 we will gather at 12:00 Noon at the NYC Vietnam Veterans Memorial in downtown Manhattan for a short
observance. ORGANIZATIONAL BANNERS ONLY, NO SIGNS PLEASE. From the Memorial we will march in silence to the waterfront in Battery Park where we will remember loved ones and cast
flowers into the water in their memory. All are welcome.
TIME:  12 Noon
DATE:  Sunday May 24, 2009
CONTACT INFORMATION:  (212) 726-0557
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  034 - New York City

Manchester, NH - Chapter 062

NAME OF EVENT:  Memorial Day Parade
LOCATION OF EVENT:  Manchester, NH
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  Manchester, NH Memorial Day Parade, followed by post-parade ceremonies where some politicians and some vets will continue to glorify war and memorialize militarism. (At 3:30 pm, ground-breaking for a new WW II Memorial in Veterans Park, Manchester, NH. According to the postcard of invitation, it will be " . . . a Memorial to remind generations to come of the service and sacrifice of so many when so much was at stake." Apparently, there will be no mention of Prescott Bush, Charles Lindbergh, or Henry Ford, staunch American patriots all.
TIME:  2 pm
DATE:  May 25, 2009
CONTACT INFORMATION:  Will Thomas
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  Chapter #062 (AJ Muste Chapter)

Minneapolis, MN - Chapter 027

NAME OF EVENT:  VFP memorial service
LOCATION OF EVENT:  Minnesota Capitol approach near the Viet Nam wall.
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  music, bagpiper, guitarist Jerry Rau, Reading of names of Iraq and Afganistan fatal casualties and sharing
TIME:  9:00 a. m.
DATE:  May 25, 2009
CONTACT INFORMATION:  Barry Riesch
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  27

San Francisco, CA - Chapter 069

NAME OF EVENT:  Memorial Day
LOCATION OF EVENT:  South of Justin Herman Plaza, San Francisco
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  A Display of "The Hidden Price" a portable multi-media exhibit which contains photographs and artifacts that depict the human cost of war and examines the myths used to justify it.
TIME:  10:00-16:00
DATE:  25 May
CONTACT INFORMATION:  liamcurry451@inorbit.com
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  69

Bethlehem, PA - Chapter 152

NAME OF EVENT:  Bethlehem, Pa. Memorial Day Parade
LOCATION OF EVENT:  start of parade: in front of Liberty High School on Linden Street in Bethlehem
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  Thomas Paine Chapter 152 of Veterans For Peace will march in this year's parade. The parade starts at Liberty High School and proceeds down Linden St. to Memorial Cemetery where a ceremony follows the parade.
TIME:  9:00am
DATE:  Monday, May 25th
CONTACT INFORMATION:  Louise Legun or Judy Woodruff --- 610-437-5314
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  Chapter 152
WEBSITE:  www.tompaine152.com

Traverse City, MI - Chapter 050

NAME OF EVENT:  Arlington Memorial Traverse City
LOCATION OF EVENT:  Open Space Grandview Parkway Traverse City Michigan
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  Arlington Memorial Traverse City Mi Honoring the Men and Women from Michigan and all Veterans that have given there life in The Afgahn and Iraq and all Wars With Crosses and Pictures and Information about the person on the cross 180 between the two wars from Michigan have died
TIME:  0900-1600
DATE:  May 25 2009
CONTACT INFORMATION:  marctee950@yahoo.com
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  Chapter 50
WEBSITE:  http://www.vfp50.com/

Chicago, IL - Chapter 026

NAME OF EVENT:  Combined Chicago Area IVAW/VFP/VVAW Memorial Day Ceremony
LOCATION OF EVENT:  Chicago Vietnam Veterans' Memorial, North-West corner of Wacker & Wabash, Lower Level alongside Chicago River
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  Opening with folk and anti-war music, followed by speakers from sponsoring organizations, primarily Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans. At conclusion, a laying of flowers in Chicago River in memory of all those killed in action in past wars. Following the ceremony, at 1:00 P.M., there will be a cook-out at the National Vietnam Veterans' Art Museum, 1801 S. Indiana, 1 block East of Michigan Ave. at 18th St., about 1-1/2 miles South of Memorial.
TIME:  10:45 A.M. TO 12:00 Noon
DATE:  Monday, May 25, 2009
CONTACT INFORMATION:  mike71atkron86vfp26@hotmail.com, info@chicagovfp.org
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  Cpl. Joseph E. Powers-Chicago Area Chapter 26
WEBSITE:  www.chicagovfp.org

Binghamton, NY - Chapter 090

NAME OF EVENT:  Memorial Day parade
LOCATION OF EVENT:  Binghamton NY
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  There will be an annual Memorial Day parade on Monday 5/25 in Binghamton with Veterans Organizations, local Fire, Police and other civil servants, civic groups participating as well as local High School bands etc, parade steps off at 2 PM from American Legion Post 80 on Main street at intersection with Chapin Street south side of the intersection
TIME:  1:30 PM
DATE:  05/25/09
CONTACT INFORMATION:  George McAnanama 607-759-8491 or Gmacan@aol.com
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  Broome County (NY) Veterans For Peace Chapter 090

Albany, NY - Chapter 010

NAME OF EVENT:  Memorial Day Parade
LOCATION OF EVENT:  Partridge St. & Central Ave., Albany, NY
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  Chapter 10, VFP will march in the annual Memorial Day Parade sponsored by the City of Albany Joint Veterans Committee 
TIME:  9:30 AM
DATE:  May 31, 2009
CONTACT INFORMATION:  dwlcx@earthlink.net, or 518-482-0262
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  Tom Paine Chapter, #10 Albany NY

Houston, TX - Chapter 012

NAME OF EVENT:  MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE 2009
LOCATION OF EVENT:  Houston Museum-Natural Science
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT:  The local chapters of Veterans for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Eyes Wide Open, and CodePINK invite you to observe Memorial Day weekend by honoring all casualties from the ongoing Iraq and Afghanistan wars.  Volunteers are needed on Sunday 24 May any time between 9 am to 3 pm to help place over 5000 labeled-flags and construct the memorial to civilian casualties.  At noon there will be a reading of names and placing of flags for all military casualties from Texas.  This observance, which will be on display through 26 May, is at Hermann Park along Fannin St. across from the Natural Science Museum.  On May 25th the memorial will include the Eyes Wide Open display of boots for the over 400 Texans killed in Iraq.  For more information call 281 414 1386. 
TIME:  9am - 3pm
DATE:  May 24 - 26
CONTACT INFORMATION:  281 414 1386 or jmrine@hotmail.com
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER:  12

City, State - Chapter number

NAME OF EVENT: 
LOCATION OF EVENT: 
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: 
TIME: 
DATE: 
CONTACT INFORMATION: 
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER: 
WEBSITE: 

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