Weekly Veterans For Peace E-Letter

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	Friday, September 18, 2015 Peace Day Statement: Dignity For All The General Assembly of the United Nations has declared the 21st of September as an International Day of Peace. This day is devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. The theme of this year’s commemoration is “Partnerships for Peace – Dignity for All” which recognizes the importance of all segments of society to work together to strive for peace.  <Full VFP Statement> It's not to late, TAKE ACTION on International Peace Day!  Visit our webpage for ideas on Ways You Can Take Action for International Peace Day Sharing on Social Media Using VFP downloadable resources for this action Find a Peace Day event to attend Back to Top The Golden Rule Continues Her Voyage for Peace The Golden Rule peace boat and her intrepid crew of volunteers are currently in Santa Cruz, on the central coast of California, after making port calls in San Diego, Long Beach, Marina del Rey/Santa Monica, Santa Barbara, Morro Bay/San Luis Obispo, and Monterey. In Santa Cruz, as at many other stops, the Golden Rule was welcomed enthusiastically by community members, including Veterans For Peace and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF). <More> Back to Top Save the Dates: Nov 20-22 - SOA Watch Vigil The SOAW annual mobilization is one of the largest anti-militarization convergences in the US.  It connects activists from across America who come together to denounce failed policies, the militarization of the hemisphere, and the daunting effects of imperialism as well as to remember the long and ongoing history of brutal US intervention in Latin America that the SOA/WHINSEC represents to perfection. BUT we also come together to listen, learn and be inspired by each other, to raise awareness about and draw connections between struggles, and to celebrate the beauty of creativity and resilience. The Vigil weekend is an opportunity to grow stronger together and to build grassroots power! Hourly Shuttle Info from Atlanta to Columbus Back to Top Travel Opportunities for Activists We will embark on our third VFP trip to Cuba  January 22-29 2016. Members and supporters of our message of peace are welcome to join us.  However, please be advised that we take 15-20 people, and there are only 8 spaces available. Our tours are led by VFP member and Cuban documentary film maker  Jim Ryerson, who has been to the island more than 25 times.  If you are interested, please contact Jim. Like the other 2 trips, this one will sell out. jim@travelingman.net 323-436-5223 Here is the itinerary   http://cubaexplorer.com/tours/jrjan/ (Click on Book Now to see prices) Location Sponsored by Dates              Contact for Additional Information Palestine Code Pink Nov 1-8, 2015 Visit the Code Pink website Cuba Code Pink Nov 20-29, 2015 Visit the Code Pink website Venezuela SOAW Dec 2-10, 2015 For more information email Terri Mattson at teri.mattson@yahoo.com Cuba Jim Ryerson Jan 22-29 2016 For more information email Jim Ryerson at jim@cubaconnections.org.. Cuba Code Pink Feb 2016 Visit the Code Pink website Việt Nam Việt Nam's  Hoa Binh (Peace) Chapter 160 Mar 14 -Mar 30 2016 For more information, please email Nadya Williams Cuba Code Pink May 2016 Visit the Code Pink website Palestine Interfaith Peacebuilders May 21 -Jun 1 2016 For more information email emily@IFPB.org Palestine Interfaith Peacebuilders Jul 16 - Jul 29 2016 For more information email emily@IFPB.org Palestine Interfaith Peacebuilders Oct 24 - Nov 6 2016 For more information email emily@IFPB.org Back to Top		In This Issue: Peace Day Statement: Dignity For All The Golden Rule Continues Her Voyage for Peace Save the Dates: Nov 20-22 - SOA Watch Vigil Travel Opportunities for Activists Upcoming VFP Election The Warrior Connection Week of Moral Action for Climate Justice in DC Upcoming VFP Endorsed Actions/Events Upcoming VFP Election In accordance with VFP Bylaw, Article VII, Section 2 ballots will be mailed out no later than October 31, 2015.  VFP National will have proposed resolutions on the website in the next couple of weeks.  You can view the 2016 Board candidates by clicking here. Article VII, Section 2 (a) In October, or six (06) weeks after the Annual Convention, the Secretary shall mail to all full members (as of the prior Annual Convention) a ballot with the names of all the nominees. The mailing will contain a brief biographical statement on each candidate. (b) The ballots must be returned postmarked by a deadline published on the ballot and calculated as four weeks after the initial ballot mailing. (c) The nominees receiving the largest number of votes shall fill the full-term vacancies which exist. The nominees who receive the largest number of votes shall fill the longest terms of office available, in declining order. (d) The ballots will be counted according to rules determined in advance by the Board of Directors and published to the Annual convention. Counting of ballots may be done by staff of the National Office or by an outside agency. Any Full Member may be present during the counting of the ballots. Ballots will be retained for two (02) years. Back to Top The Warrior Connection Join one of the six day October retreats in beautiful Dummerston, VT to male and female veterans.  Experienced veteran facilitators lead the discussions.  Food and housing are provided. Cost of the retreat is $150.  Anyone interested in the retreat will be required to have a phone or in-person interview and are are not self-medicating on drugs or alcohol. 2015 Warrior Woman’s Retreats October 1-6 2015 Warrior Retreats for Men October 15-20 Board member Tarak Kauff has participated in these retreats and found them very inspiring.  Feel free to email Tarak If you have questions at takauff@gmail.com. Back to Top Week of Moral Action for Climate Justice in DC Book your seat for travel to Moral Action for Climate Justice at National Mall in Washington, DC without the hassles of driving, parking, or navigating traffic. Invite friends to join you on a high-end bus with on-board restrooms and other amenities, stay up-to-the-minute on trip details with the Rally Bus app, then relax and enjoy your ride. Rally Bus makes it easy to get together and go! Back to Top Upcoming VFP Endorsed Actions/Events Aug 28 - Oct 15 - Golden Rule Schedule of Events Sep 21 - International Peace Day in your city Sept 24 - 30 - Iowa Speaking Tour with Ray McGovern and Coleen Rowley Oct 7  - Anniversary of U.S. Invasion of Afghanistan Oct 9-24 - Maine Walk For Peace Nov 20-22, 2015 - SOA Watch 25th Anniversary Vigil Back to Top Did you know? In 1999, VFP became a member of the Nobel Peace Prize winning Coalition to Ban the Sale and Use of Landmines.
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