VFP eNews:Convention Updates, Power to Peace Festival
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1st Annual Power to Peace Festival
Friday, Aug 11, 2017
Pricing:
Convention attendees - $25 General Admission - $45 VIP Admission - $125 Unemployed Vets Admission: Free
*Just a reminder that the concert is NOT included in the price of registration.
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Veterans For Peace 2017 Resolutions
Every summer members of VFP are given the opportunity to shape organization policy by submitting resolutions that are reviewed and voted on by the membership. Resolutions approved in previous years can be viewed at our Master Index.
For the yearly resolution process, this starts approximately 90 days before the start of the annual VFP Convention when resolutions start to be accepted and close 30 days prior to the start of the pre-Convention Board of Directors meeting. For 2017 the first day resolutions could be submitted was May 1st and the deadline for submission is July 9th. Check out this helpful note of tips from Bob Krzewinski – VFP Resolutions Committee Chair
¡Presente! Bill Distler
Long-time activist and peace vet Bill Distler passed away on Monday, June 5. Bill was a founding member of Chapter 111 in Bellingham, Wa. Gene Marx wrote a tribute published locally in Washington.
Bill Distler was my friend, and it will never feel right to think of him in the past tense. He died much too soon this week, succumbing to glioblastoma in his sleep. It was the first time I had ever seen him at peace.
This 70-year-old peace vet entrapped me in his web of anti-war activism a dozen years ago. As alter egos, we shared the same guilt and moral injury, cringing when we were thanked for our service. After all, we didn’t serve, we were used. We were also two Vietnam vets that became great listeners. In one of our first conversations he relived the fear and confusion that shredded his point man Willie Earl Granger in the hedgerows near Cu Chi Base Camp, Vietnam. I didn’t deserve to hear that avowal but he needed a sounding board. It wouldn’t be the last time, for either of us.
Have You Uploaded Your Memorial Day Pictures?
So many of chapters around the country participated in amazing Memorial day actions and programs!
Please make sure to upload them to our shared google photo album!
Updates from the Golden Rule!'
The Golden Rule is about to leave Humboldt Bay on her third peace voyage in as many years. We will be heading down the California coast to San Francisco Bay, up the river to Sacramento, and back down the coast, making 14 stops before arriving in San Diego on August 25. The historic 34-foot ketch is sailing for a nuclear-free world. This year, in particular, we are building support for the United Nations Treaty to Ban Nuclear Weapons. The UN General Assembly is expected to overwhelmingly approve the treaty in early July, despite opposition from the U.S. and other nuclear powers.
THERE ARE STILL SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR CREW, if you’re interested – contact Project Manager Helen Jaccard at Helen.Jaccard@gmail.com, or call her at 206-992-6364.
VFP In the News!
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In This Issue:
VFP Annual Convention in Chicago!
The VFP Annual Convention is titled "Education Not Militarization" and will be held in Chicago, Aug 9-13 at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago.
Workshops will be held on Thu/Fri (Aug 10-11th)
Wednesday: President's Reception/Poetry Reading
Thursday: Panel Discussion - Education Not Militarization Friday: Power to Peace Festival at VIC Theatre - Doors open at 6pm Saturday: Business meeting/banquet Sunday: March thru Downtown Chicago Jackson Browne concert @ Copernicus Theatre Registration is Now Open! Please register for the conference Visit the Award page to nominate an individual or chapter for a VFP award. Awards will be presented at the Saturday banquet. Need help creating and/or editing your ad for the program book , email Becky @ becky.pdx@gmail.com Thanks to all who submitted a workshop application. Applications are in the review process. All applicants will be notified by June 30, 2017. Calling all poets! Sign up here to read your poetry on Wednesday, Aug 9th. Questions regarding submissions should be directed to John Spitzberg. Need assistance getting to the convention? Post Cold War Veterans - Sign up here. All others - Sign up here. Please Check Out the New Details on the Website! New information is added weekly! National office contact is Shelly Rockett
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Tell Congress: Block Arms Sales to Countries with Records of Human Rights Abuses
Human rights groups and activists have long criticized U.S. arms sales to countries with known human rights abuses, including outcry that helped block a sale of precision missiles to Saudi Arabia.8 Saudi Arabia remains one of the highest volume customers of American weaponry.
It is up to Congress to rein in this administration and make sure that we stop giving human rights abusers the tools they need to kill.
Sign the Petition Now!
Veterans For Peace United Nations Representative
 We are currently considering adding another Veterans For Peace UN Representative. This year though, we have the possibility of including an excellent new Rep slotted in now, which has always been possible. Quite properly though, he does not want to just be handed the position. He wants others to have a chance too. Serving as a representative for VFP to the Department of Public Information (DPI) includes
Right now the position also includes working to help organize an international veterans conference, probably in NYC with one plenary at the UN, which is tentatively scheduled for around Armistice Day 2018, the 100th anniversary of the end of "The War to End All Wars". Please send an e-mail to Ellen Barfield expressing your interest and how you feel you would best represent VFP in the UN, and your residence, by Monday 19 June. She will send the applications on to the other current VFP UN Reps, Executive Director Michael McPhearson, President Barry Ladendorf, and Colonel Ann Wright. This group will make a choice by the end of June or early July. This term will run through the end of the year, but many VFP UN Reps serve for several years as interested. Thank you for your interest. Save the Dates: Upcoming Events
June 5-10 - 50th Anniversary of the Occupation Of the West Bank and Gaza. US Campaign for Palestinian Rights Week of Actions
June 13 - Paths to Building Peace with N. Korea in Washington D.C.
June 17 - Women's March to Ban the Bomb - NYC (Check for Sister City Marches in Your City!)
Aug 9-13 - VFP Annual Convention-"Education Not Militarization", Chicago, IL. There will be a concert the evening of the 13th, so plan to stay the evening of the 13th! More details to follow soon!
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Veterans For Peace, 1404 N. Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63102
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We also encourage you to join our ranks.
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