From The Archives- What is Armistice Day? Prior to its designation by Congress in 1954 as Veterans Day, November 11 was known as Armistice Day. World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919.

What is Armistice Day?

Prior to its designation by Congress in 1954 as Veterans Day, November 11 was known as Armistice Day. World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.” In recognition of the significance of that date, in 1926 Congress resolved that “this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations.”

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

§  To increase public awareness of the costs of war;

§  To restrain our government from intervening, overtly and covertly, in the internal affairs of other nations;

§  To end the arms race and to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons;

§  To seek justice for veterans and victims of war;

§  To abolish war as an instrument of national policy.

To achieve these goals, members of Veterans For Peace pledge to use non-violent means and to maintain an organization that is both democratic and 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.

Smedley D. Butler Brigade (Ch. 9)

P.O. Box 320683

Boston, MA 02132

www.smedleyvfp.org

vfpsmedley@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/smedleyvfp/ 

Armistice (Veterans) Day For Peace

November 11, 2018

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

Samual Adams Park

Boston Massachusetts

“War is a racket.
A few profit. The Many pay.”

Maj. Gen. Smedley D. Butler, USMC

 

Dulce et Decorum Est 

BY WILFRED OWEN

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,

Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs, And towards our distant rest began to trudge.

Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots, But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;

Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots 

Of gas-shells dropping softly behind. Gas! GAS! Quick, boys! An ecstasy of fumbling

Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time, But someone still was yelling out and stumbling

And flound’ring like a man in fire or lime Dim through the misty panes and thick green light,

As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. In all my dreams before my helpless sight,

He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

If in some smothering dreams, you too could pace Behind the wagon that we flung him in,

And watch the white eyes writhing in his face, His hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin;

If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,

Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,—

My friend, you would not tell with such high zest

To children ardent for some desperate glory,

The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est

Pro patria mori.

                                                                                          

                     Armistice Day For Peace Program            

                                                                                                               

 November 11, 2018

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

   Samuel Adams Park

      Boston Massachusetts

Leftist Marching Band/Boston Area Brigade of Activist Musicians

(BABAM)                                                           Bring Us Together Music

Dan Luker, Smedley Butler,                                 Welcome
VFP Coordinator                                                   

Al Johnson, Smedley Butler, VFP                         Opening Words 

Doug Stuart, Smedley Butler, VFP                      What Is Armistice Day?

Pat Scanlon, Smedley Butler, VFP                       Words of Peace From Sev Bruyn        

David Rothhauser, Smedley Butler, VFP              I, Too. Was A Gangster For Wall Street  

                                                                                                                                     

Leftist Marching Band/BABAM                            Musical Interlude

Ray Ajemian  MIC Committee                             Raytheon Project

Bob Masters–Smedley Butler, VFP,                     Vietnam Experiences

Ralph Madsen, Smedley Butler< VFP                   The Band Played Waltzing Matilda

John Schuchhardt, Member, VFP Chapter 45        House of Peace   

Webb Nichols, Smedley Butler, VFP,                    poetry selections

U.S. Army, Vietnam veteran  

Ralph Galen, Smedley Butler,                              Closing Words

VFP Supporter                                                   

Leftist Marching Band/BABAM                          Musical Wrap-up

Many thanks to the City of Boston for use of Sam Adams Park