From The Living Archives Of Boston Veterans For Peace-They Ain't Your Grandfather's Veterans-By Site Manager Greg Green-The Life And Death Fight Against The Further Privatization Of The Veterans Administration Healthcare System

From The Living Archives Of Boston Veterans For Peace-They Ain't Your Grandfather's Veterans-By Site Manager Greg Green-The Life And Death Fight Against The Further Privatization Of The Veterans Administration Healthcare System      

     

[Ralph Morris who has lived in Troy, New York most of his life, been raised there and raised his own family there, went to war, the bloody, horrendous Vietnam War which he has made plain many times he will never live down, never get over what he did, what he saw others do, and most importantly for the long haul, what his evil government did with no remorse to people in that benighted country with whom he had no quarrel never was much for organizations, joining organizations when he was young until he came upon a group formed in the fire of the Vietnam War protests -Vietnam Veteran Against the War (VVAW) which he joined after watching a contingent of them pass by in silent march protesting the war in downtown Albany one fall afternoon. Somebody in that contingent with a microphone called out to any veterans observing the march who had had enough of war, had felt like that did to “fall in” (an old army term well if bitterly remembered). He did and has never looked back although for the past many years his affiliation has been with a subsequent anti-war veterans’ group Veterans for Peace.  

Sam Eaton, who has lived in Carver, Massachusetts, most of his life, been raised there and raised his own family there, and did not go to war. Did not go for the simple reason that due to a severe childhood accident which left him limping severely thereafter he was declared no fit for military duty, 4-F the term the local draft board used. He too had not been much for organizations, joining organizations when he was young. That is until his best friend from high school, Jeff Mullins, died in hell-hole Vietnam and before he had died asked Sam that if anything happened to him to let the world that he had done things, had seen others do things, and most importantly for the long haul, what his evil government did with no remorse to people in that benighted country with whom he had no quarrel. As part of honoring Jeff’s request after Sam found out about his death he was like a whirling dervish joining one anti-war action after another, joining one ad hoc group, each more radical than the previous one as the war ground away, ground all rational approach vapid, let nothing left but to go left, until the fateful day when he met Ralph down in Washington, D.C.

That was when both in their respective collectives, Ralph in VVAW and Sam in Cambridge Red Front, were collectively attempting one last desperate effort to end the war by closing down the government if it would not shut down the war. All they got for their efforts were tear gas, police batons, arrest bracelets and a trip to the bastinado which was the floor of Robert F. Kennedy stadium which is where they would meet after Sam noticed Ralph’s VVAW pin and told him about Jeff and his request. That experience would form a lasting friendship including several years ago Sam joining Ralph’s Veterans for Peace as a supporter, an active supporter still trying to honor his long- gone friend’s request and memory.

No one least of all either of them would claim they were organizing geniuses, far from it but over the years they participated, maybe even helped organize many anti-war events. One day their friend, Josh Breslin, who writes a by-line at this publication, and who is also a veteran asked them to send some of events they had participated in here to form a sort of living archives of the few remaining activist groupings in this country, in America who are still waging the struggle for peace.

Periodically, since we are something of a clearing house and historic memory for leftist activities, we will put their archival experiences into our archives. As mentioned above Sam and Ralph “met” each other down in Washington, D.C. during the May Day anti-war demonstrations of 1971 when out of desperation clots of anti-war radicals, veterans and civilians alike, tried unsuccessfully to shut down the government if it would not shut down the war. They “met,” their in forever quotation marks not mine, on the floor of Robert F. Kennedy football stadium after they had been arrested along with members of their respective collectives, Ralph’s VVAW and Sam’s Red Front Brigade after getting nothing but tear gas, police batons and a ride in the paddy wagon for their efforts. What they were doing, what for each of the them, according to Josh Breslin who met them shortly after they got “sprung,” also then a member of VVAW and also arrested but had been held in a D.C. city jail, were their first acts of civil disobedience. The first of a long time of such actions which is the lead in to the archival material presented in this piece.

Josh, who introduced the pair to me several years ago when I first came on board to manage the day to day operations of this publication after Allan Jackson, aging and ready to retire, brought me on board for that purpose so he could work on where the publication was heading. He mentioned the Washington action as their calling card although then, in 1971, I was about a decade too young to have realized what they were doing and how important it was for their future political trajectories, their political commitments to “fight the monster,” their term, on the questions of war and peace and other social issues. Not have realized, not having done any such actions how important civil disobedience, or the threat of such actions was, is to their political perspectives.

By the way, as Josh was at pains under pressure from Ralph and Sam, to report to me that May Day action was not the first attempt by either man to “get arrested,” to “put their bodies on the line” as Sam articulated it to me one night when we were putting this piece together. May Day was just the first time when the cops, National Guard, Regular Army was willing, with a vengeance, to take them up on the offer. Both men had tried repeatedly to get arrested “sitting down” at their respective local draft boards in Carver and Troy in order to warn off young men on signing up for the draft. Maybe it was the nature of the times but the local police would not arrest them.]

For many years Ralph Morris, one of the two main character in the introduction above and activist in the materials below, kept the silence of the grave about his “shakes,” about his midnight nightmares and not even wife of many years, Lana, knew the cause of his discomforts. Ralph had never sought treatment for his troubles until he started hearing about a rash, maybe an epidemic, of cases of Iraq war veterans (Iraq II, the 2003 war we are still living with) going to Veterans administration hospitals around the country seeking help for conditions which seemed very similar to his. Of course, we now know that this condition has a name, or an evolution of names from “shell shock” to “battle fatigue” to the current medical definition-post-traumatic stress disease (PTSD, that last word being the operative one). When Ralph sought help, help through the VA after checking with some fellow veterans in VFP who were being treated and receiving compensation for that same condition also being very quiet about the matter, he finally was able to figure out that what he had done in Vietnam, his war, had seen others do and as he always has said what his government had done to poor people he had no quarrel with had been the cause of his maladies.        

Part of the reason that Ralph had not taken advantage of the VA services was that as a small and prosperous business owner in Troy, his father’s hi-tech electrical business which he took over when his father retired he did not believe that he was entitled to the services under the VA means tests. When he did find he was eligible he took full advantage of what he was entitled to, including some small compensation for his PTSD. The important thing to Ralph was that the services provided were helpful, the interaction with the staff from in-take person to various doctors consulted in the case, was positive. A couple of years ago when the VA started getting flack, started getting a lot of negative attention by media people looking for awards to move their food chain and more importantly major medical providers interested in getting a chuck of that very lucrative market he, like many veterans who he might not politically agree with on other matters like support of wars and war budgets, was ready to take some actions. Actions against the further erosion of VA services by the continual privatization of the system.     

As part of that effect, he along with Sam who although not a veteran was concerned about the services loss or scaled back which were helping to keep veterans that he knew, worked with, afloat. Thus the campaign to publicly support the services and stop the privatizations which will ruin what is now the best healthcare system after Medicare in the country. They Ralph and Sam and their comrades started their campaign by standing outside various VA sites and banners at the ready make their case-and incidentally show support to the embattled employees and appreciate veteran patients.     

From The Living Archives Of Boston Veterans For Peace-They Ain't Your Grandfather's Veterans-Civil Disobedience And The Boston Common VFP Encampment On Memorial Day, 2018 As Part Of The Poor People’s Campaign-War Economy Week

From The Living Archives Of Boston Veterans For Peace-They Ain't Your Grandfather's Veterans-Civil Disobedience And The Boston Common VFP Encampment On Memorial Day, 2018 As Part Of The Poor People’s Campaign-War Economy Week   

[Ralph Morris who has lived in Troy, New York most of his life, been raised there and raised his own family there, went to war, the bloody, horrendous Vietnam War which he has made plain many times he will never live down, never get over what he did, what he saw others do, and most importantly for the long haul, what his evil government did with no remorse to people in that benighted country with whom he had no quarrel never was much for organizations, joining organizations when he was young until he came up a group formed in the fire of the Vietnam War protests -Vietnam Veteran Against the War (VVAW) which he joined after watching a contingent of them pass by in silent march protesting the war in downtown Albany one fall afternoon. Somebody in that contingent with a microphone called out to any veterans observing the march who had had enough of war, had felt like that did to “fall in” (an old army term well if bitterly remembered). He did and has never looked back although for the past many years his affiliation has been with a subsequent anti-war veterans’ group Veterans for Peace.  

Sam Eaton, who has lived in Carver, Massachusetts, most of his life, been raised there and raised his own family there, and did not go to war. Did not go for the simple reason that due to a severe childhood accident which left him limping severely thereafter he was declared no fit for military duty, 4-F the term the local draft board used. He too had not been much for organizations, joining organizations when he was young. That is until his best friend from high school, Jeff Mullins, died in hell-hole Vietnam and before he had died asked Sam that if anything happened to him to let the world that he had done things, had seen others do things, and most importantly for the long haul, what his evil government did with no remorse to people in that benighted country with whom he had no quarrel. As part of honoring Jeff’s request after Sam found out about his death he was like a whirling dervish joining one anti-war action after another, joining one ad hoc group, each more radical than the previous one as the war ground away, ground all rational approach vapid, let nothing left but to go left, until the fateful day when he met Ralph down in Washington, D.C.

That was when both in their respective collectives, Ralph in VVAW and Sam in Cambridge Red Front, were collectively attempting one last desperate effort to end the war by closing down the government if it would not shut down the war. All they got for their efforts were tear gas, police batons, and arrest bracelets and a trip to the bastinado which was the floor of Robert F. Kennedy stadium which is where they would meet after Sam noticed Ralph’s VVAW pin and told him about Jeff and his request. That experience would form a lasting friendship including several years ago Sam joining Ralph’s Veterans for Peace as a supporter, an active supporter still trying to honor his long- gone friend’s request and memory.

No one least of all either of them would claim they were organizing geniuses, far from it but over the years they participated, maybe even helped organize many anti-war events. One day their friend, Josh Breslin, who writes a by-line at this publication, and who is also a veteran asked them to send some of events they had participated in here to form a sort of living archives of the few remaining activist groupings in this country, in America who are still waging the struggle for peace.

Periodically, since we are something of a clearing house and historic memory for leftist activities, we will put their archival experiences into our archives. As mentioned above Sam and Ralph “met” each other down in Washington, D.C. during the May Day anti-war demonstrations of 1971 when out of desperation clots of anti-war radicals, veterans and civilians alike, tried unsuccessfully to shut down the government if it would not shut down the Vietnam War. They “met,” their in forever quotation marks not mine, on the floor of Robert F. Kennedy football stadium after they had been arrested along with members of their respective collectives, Ralph’s VVAW and Sam’s Red Front Brigade after getting nothing but tear gas, police batons and a ride in the paddy wagon for their efforts. What they were doing, what for each of the them, according to Josh Breslin who met them shortly after they got “sprung,” also then a member of VVAW and also arrested but who had been held in a D.C. city jail, were their first acts of civil disobedience. The first of a long time of such actions which is the lead in to the archival material presented in this piece.

Josh, who introduced the pair to me several years ago when I first came on board to manage the day to day operations of this publication after Allan Jackson, aging and ready to retire, brought me on board for that purpose so he could work on where the publication was heading. Josh mentioned the Washington action as their calling card although then, in 1971, I was about a decade too young to have realized what they were doing and how important it was for their future political trajectories, their political commitments to “fight the monster,” their term, on the questions of war and peace and other social issues. Not have realized, not having done any such actions how important civil disobedience, or the threat of such actions was, is to their political perspectives.

[By the way, as Josh was at pains under pressure from Ralph and Sam, to report to me that May Day action was not the first attempt by either man to “get arrested,” to “put their bodies on the line” as Sam articulated it to me one night when we were putting this piece together. May Day was just the first time when the cops, National Guard, Regular Army was willing, with a vengeance, to take them up on the offer. Both men had tried repeatedly to get arrested “sitting down” at their respective local draft boards in Carver and Troy in order to warn off young men on signing up for the draft. Maybe it was the nature of the times but the local police would not arrest them.]

As the following action announcement centered on Memorial Day, 2018 indicates they have never stopped “putting their bodies on the line.” Josh told me that the only difference between 2018 and 1971 is that they, and he include himself in this point, that rather than do an action to court arrest they had changed their attitude to one of doing whatever action they were committed to doing and accepting the consequences. That would be Sam and Ralph’s position on Memorial Day when the local VFP leadership decided to encamp on Boston Common overnight as part of War Economy Week” (week three) of an on-going Poor Peoples Campaign on-going project.      

Mention of the Poor People’s Campaign should both ring a bell and be explained since the 2018 tasks were, are directly linked those in 1968. None of the men had had any connection to the original campaign in 1968 which had been organized and promoted by the late Doctor Martin Luther King before he was assassinated in April of that year and which was continued by other civil rights and social justice leaders after that into the summer of 1968. Josh was out in California as part of his extended Summer of Love experience before he got nailed by his draft board in Olde Saco, Maine. Ralph was in Vietnam and Sam was still busy supporting his mother and four sisters after his father had died suddenly. This point is important since none of them were active back then they grabbed onto the upcoming events with every hand.     

At every level it was a “no brainer,” Josh’s term for VFP to get involved with the 50^th anniversary edition of the PPC since some many of the projected actions, including week three’s War Economy Week which would highlight the Military Industrial Complex (MIC) role in perpetuating war and draining resources from the continuing vexing social problems, social needs, around housing, homelessness, education, jobs and the whole smorgasbord of needs, especially as related to veterans who have increasingly been among those who are in need of a whole range of social services.

The idea of the forty-day Spring 2018 campaign was to have each week centered on a particular social issue, organize around that weekly issue and be committed to some very public social actions-including publicity catching civil disobedience. That is where the idea of the veterans’ encampment came to the fore which had some precedents with the Veterans march on Washington in the 1930s (suppressed by General “Dug Out” Doug MacArthur) and later in early 1971 on the National Mall. This is where the new-found notion of our guys of doing and action and accepting the consequences got a good work-out. They would keep the encampment overnight without permit (or rather overstaying the permit), let the devil take the hinter-post and see what happened. The big effort thus was to get enough veterans and supporters to made a splash and to defend the encampment-hence the plethora of announcements (In the event they said they could have gone either way-have the encampment stay overnight or have the police arrest veterans on sacred Memorial Day, the former happened). Site Manager Greg Green]   

 

In the interest of completeness, in the interest of archival norms we are including all of the announcements concerning the Memorial Day, 2018 activities mentioned above:

People Get Ready The Peace “Train” Is Coming-  If You Want To Join The Fight Against The Military-Industrial Complex Up Close And Personal-Looking For Night Owls- We Need Peace Team Members To Protect Our Poor People’s Campaign-VFP Encampment Monday Evening May 28^th

Forward to anybody you think could help us Monday night into Tuesday

morning.

As all should be aware of by now we are planning an overnight encampment on Boston Common starting at noon on Monday Memorial Day May 28th and extending to about 11 AM on Tuesday May 29th - we need people who plan on staying overnight to be part of a peace team during the latter part of Monday from 6 PM through Tuesday morning around 9 AM -we expect to need 12-15 people in two or three person teams in shifts of two to three hours to protect the encampment and raise the alarm if necessary if something untoward happens during the night.    

  

Can you help by circulating this message to your network of contacts of people who might show after a personal appeal-thanks David   

If You Want To Join The Fight Against The Military-Industrial Complex Up Close And Personal - Veterans For Peace and Supporters All Out- Memorial Day Monday May 28^th and Tuesday May 29^th  War Economy Week On Boston Common Are Your Days To Shine In Support Of The Poor People’s Campaign

Veterans for Peace and The Poor People’s Campaign Wants You - All Out!

This is a special appeal for all Veterans for Peace and their supporters in the Boston and New England area to show up and support the activities on May 28^th and May 29^th on historic Boston Common for at least part of either day. David Lucas for the Smedley Executive Committee

********

The Smedley Butler Brigade, Chapter 9, Veterans For Peace has been a proud co-sponsor of the Poor People’s Campaign now in the midst of a forty day campaign to highlight the plight of the poor and oppressed peoples and communities in the United States (and internationally). We have already had two weeks of Monday actions in Boston.

Week three, War Economy Week, is obviously our week to shine since it will highlight the connections between the bloated war economy, the endless wars and the attempts to privatize the Veteran Administration services all of which directly affect the lives of the poor and oppressed. This week, these associations, and the huge possible impact are what we have been looking for now for many years. Here is your chance to be to on the front line of the fight against the Military-Industrial Complex.     

On Monday May 28^th Memorial Day starting at noon on Boston Common members of Veterans for Peace, the Poor Peoples Campaign and their allies will conduct a day-long program centered on these issues. We intend to camp overnight in order to bring our concerns to various governmental agencies on Tuesday when those offices are open for business.

We will be pitching tents during this encampment, have literature tables, and have a speakers’ platform to let various organizations and individuals give their perspectives on the war economy and what to do about it. Since the State House will be closed that day for the holiday this week’s actions will be extended to a morning speak-out on the Common and a rally in front of the State House on Tuesday May 29^th at 2 PM.

 Our Annual Memorial Day for Peace program will start at 3 PM at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial up the hill from the encampment.

We need you since we have many tasks that need to be taken care of now and on those two important days.   So, attention please - use this e-mail to volunteer for any of the following: helping set up tents, canopies, flags, banners, tables, chairs, and supplies; act as peacekeepers and marshals; help patrol the site during the night; help set up sound system and stage; contact other veterans and veterans organizations; make up banners, and help keep the site clean and clean up after our actions are completed.

Please, if you are planning on attending the activities either day or wish to help out with tasks now or then e-mail Dave Lucas  at davidlucas34@comcast.net    

Check our Facebook page and the Smedley Butler Brigade website for updates and other information during this coming week.  

 ************

We Are Getting Close- A Special Appeal - Veterans For Peace and Supporters All Out- Memorial Day Monday May 28^th and Tuesday May 29^th  War Economy Week On Boston Common Are Your Days To Shine In Support Of The Poor People’s Campaign

Veterans for Peace and The Poor People’s Campaign Wants You - All Out!

This e-mail sent is a special appeal for all Veterans For Peace and their supporters in the Boston and New England area to show up and support the activities on May 28^th and May 29^th on historic Boston Common for at least part of either day. David Lucas for the Smedley Executive Committee

********

The Smedley Butler Brigade, Chapter 9, Veterans For Peace has been a proud co-sponsor of the Poor People’s Campaign now in the midst of a forty day campaign to highlight the plight of the poor and oppressed peoples and communities in the United States (and internationally). We have already had two weeks of Monday actions in Boston.

Week three, War Economy Week, is obviously our week to shine since it will highlight the connections between the bloated war economy, the endless wars and the attempts to privatize the Veteran Administration services all of which directly affect the lives of the poor and oppressed. This week, these associations, and the huge possible impact are what we have been looking for now for many years. Here is your chance to be to on the front line of the fight against the Military-Industrial Complex.     

On Monday May 28^th Memorial Day starting at noon on Boston Common members of Veterans for Peace, the Poor Peoples Campaign and their allies will conduct a day-long program centered on these issues.

We will have literature tables, and have a speakers’ platform to let various organizations and individuals give their perspectives on the war economy and what to do about it. During the afternoon we will also have our annual Memorial Day for Peace program. Since the State House will be closed that day for the holiday this week’s actions will be extended to a morning speak-out on the Common and a rally in front of the State House on Tuesday May 29^th at 2 PM.

We need you since we have many tasks that need to be taken care of now and on those two important days.   So, attention please - use this e-mail to volunteer for any of the following: helping set up tents, canopies, flags, banners, tables, chairs, and supplies; act as peacekeepers and marshals; help set up sound system and stage; contact other veterans and veterans organizations; make up banners, and help keep the site clean and clean up after our actions are completed.

Please, if you are planning on attending the activities either day or wish to help out with tasks now or then e-mail davidlucas34@comcast.net

Check our Facebook page and the Smedley Butler Brigade website for updates and other information during this coming week.  

 **********

  

Looking For Night Owls- We Need Peace Team Members To Protect Our Poor People’s Campaign-VFP Encampment Monday May 28^th

Forward to anybody you think could help us Monday night into Tuesday  

morning.

As all should be aware of by now we are planning an overnight encampment on Boston Common starting at noon on Monday Memorial Day May 28th and extending to about 11 AM on Tuesday May 29th - we need people who plan on staying overnight to be part of a peace team during the latter part of Monday from 6 PM through Tuesday morning around 9 AM -we expect to need 12-15 people in two or three person teams in shifts of two to three hours to protect the encampment and raise the alarm if necessary if something untoward happens during  the night    

 If you can help us out (Jeff and David are in charge) please use this thread to respond –thanks- the Smedley Ex Comm

 ***********

 A Personal Special Appeal - Veterans For Peace and Supporters All Out- Memorial Day Monday May 28^th and Tuesday May 29^th War Economy Week On Boston Common Are Your Days To Shine In Support Of The Poor People’s Campaign

Veterans For Peace and The Poor People’s Campaign Wants You - All Out!

This private e-mail sent to you personally is a special appeal for all Veterans For Peace and their supporters in the Boston and New England area to show up and support the activities on May 28^th and May 29^th on historic Boston Common for at least part of either day. David Lucas for the Smedley Executive Committee

********

The Smedley Butler Brigade, Chapter 9, Veterans For Peace has been a proud co-sponsor of the Poor People’s Campaign now in the midst of a forty day campaign to highlight the plight of the poor and oppressed peoples and communities in the United States (and internationally). We have already had two weeks of Monday actions in Boston.

Week three, War Economy Week, is obviously our week to shine since it will highlight the connections between the bloated war economy, the endless wars and the attempts to privatize the Veteran Administration services all of which directly affect the lives of the poor and oppressed. This week, these associations, and the huge possible impact are what we have been looking for now for many years. Here is your chance to be to on the front line of the fight against the Military-Industrial Complex.     

On Monday May 28^th Memorial Day starting at noon on Boston Common members of Veterans For Peace, the Poor Peoples Campaign and their allies will conduct a day-long program centered on these issues. We intend to camp overnight in order to bring our concerns to various governmental agencies on Tuesday when those offices are open for business.

We will be pitching tents during this encampment, have literature tables, and have a speakers platform to let various organizations and individuals give their perspectives on the war economy and what to do about it. During the afternoon we will also have our annual Memorial Day for Peace program. Since the State House will be closed that day for the holiday this week’s actions will be extended to a morning speak-out on the Common and a rally in front of the State House on Tuesday May 29^th at 2 PM.

We need you since we have many tasks that need to be taken care of now and on those two important days.   So, attention please - use this e-mail to volunteer for any of the following: helping set up tents, canopies, flags, banners, tables, chairs, and supplies; act as peacekeepers and marshals; help patrol the site during the night; help set up sound system and stage; contact other veterans and veterans organizations; make up banners, and help keep the site clean and clean up after our actions are completed.

Check our Facebook page and the Smedley Butler Brigade website for updates and other information during this coming week.  

**************** 

  

A Personal Special Appeal -Veterans For Peace And Supporters All Out- Memorial Day Monday May 28^th and Tuesday May 29^th Od War Economy Week On Boston Common Are Your Days To Shine In Support Of The Poor People’s Campaign

Veterans for Peace And The Poor People’s Campaign Wants You-All Out

This private e-mail sent to you personally is a special appeal to all Veterans for Peace and their supporters in the Boston and New England area to show up and support the activities on May 28^th and May 29^th on historic Boston Common for at least part of either day. David Lucas for the Smedley Executive Committee

********

The Smedley Butler Brigade, Chapter 9, Veterans for Peace has been a proud co-sponsor of the Poor People’s Campaign now in the midst of a forty day campaign to highlight the plight of the poor and oppressed peoples and communities in the United States (and internationally). We have already had two weeks of Monday actions in Boston.

Week three, War Economy Week, is obviously our week to shine since it will highlight the connections between the bloated war economy, the endless wars and the attempts to privatize the Veteran Administration services all of which directly affect the lives of the poor and oppressed. This week, these associations, and the huge possible impact are what we have been looking for now for many years. Here is your chance to fight the Military-Industrial Complex in person.

On Monday May 28^th Memorial Day starting at noon on Boston Common members of Veterans for Peace, the Poor Peoples Campaign and their allies will conduct a day-long program centered on these issues. We intend to camp overnight in order to bring our concerns to various governmental agencies on Tuesday when those offices are open for business.

We will be pitching tents during this encampment, have literature tables, and have a speaker’s platform to let various organizations and individuals give their perspectives on the war economy and what to do about it. During the afternoon we will also have our annual Memorial Day for Peace program. Since the State House will be closed that day for the holiday this week’s actions will be extended to a morning speak-out on the Common and a rally in front of the State House on Tuesday May 29^th at 2 PM.

We need you since we have many tasks needed to be taken care of now and on those two important days so use this e-mail to volunteer for any of the following: helping set up tents, canopies, flags, banners, tables, chairs, and supplies; act as peacekeepers and marshals; help patrol the site during the night; help set up sound system and stage; contact other veterans and veterans organizations; make up banners, and help keep the site clean and clean up after our actions are completed.

Check our Facebook page and the Smedley Butler Brigade website for updates and other information during this coming week.  

*********** 

  

A Personal Special Appeal -Veterans For Peace And Supporters All Out- Memorial Day Monday May 28^th and Tuesday May 29^th Od War Economy Week On Boston Common Are Your Days To Shine In Support Of The Poor People’s Campaign

Veterans for Peace And The Poor People’s Campaign Wants You-All Out

This private e-mail sent to you personally is a special appeal to all Veterans for Peace and their supporters in the Boston and New England area to show up and support the activities on May 28^th and May 29^th on historic Boston Common for at least part of either day. David Lucas for the Smedley Executive Committee 

********

The Smedley Butler Brigade, Chapter 9, Veterans for Peace has been a proud co-sponsor of the Poor People’s Campaign now in the midst of a forty day campaign to highlight the plight of the poor and oppressed peoples and communities in the United States (and internationally). We have already had two weeks of Monday actions in Boston.

Week three, War Economy Week, is obviously our week to shine since it will highlight the connections between the bloated war economy, the endless wars and the attempts to privatize the Veteran Administration services all of which directly affect the lives of the poor and oppressed. This week, these associations, and the huge possible impact are what we have been looking for now for many years. Here is your chance to fight the Military-Industrial Complex in person.

  

On Monday May 28^th Memorial Day starting at noon on Boston Common members of Veterans for Peace, the Poor Peoples Campaign and their allies will conduct a day-long program centered on these issues. We intend to camp overnight in order to bring our concerns to various governmental agencies on Tuesday when those offices are open for business.

We will be pitching tents during this encampment, have literature tables, and have a speaker’s platform to let various organizations and individuals give their perspectives on the war economy and what to do about it. During the afternoon we will also have our annual Memorial Day for Peace program. Since the State House will be closed that day for the holiday this week’s actions will be extended to a morning speak-out on the Common and a rally in front of the State House on Tuesday May 29^th at 2 PM.

We need you since we have many tasks needed to be taken care of now and on those two important days so use this e-mail to volunteer for any of the following: helping set up tents, canopies, flags, banners, tables, chairs, and supplies; act as peacekeepers and marshals; help patrol the site during the night; help set up sound system and stage; contact other veterans and veterans organizations; make up banners, and help keep the site clean and clean up after our actions are completed.  

Check our Facebook page and the Smedley Butler Brigade website for updates and other information during this coming week.  

Smedley Butler Brigade -Veterans For Peace Armistice Day Program

Smedley  Butler Brigade -Veterans For Peace Armistice Day Program

On Armistice Day- There Is A Wall In Washington  

 

 

The following short remarks were addressed to group of fellow veterans and other peace and social activists at a Boston Armistice Day commemoration by Frank Jackman.

There Is A Wall In Washington  

The specter of the Vietnam War still haunts my generation, the generation of ’68. I am a Vietnam era veteran and although I was trained as an 11 Bravo, an infantryman, a grunt, cannon fodder I did not serve in Vietnam for a whole lot of reasons that need not detain us now because I don’t want to talk about my story but about Ralph Morris’ story, or rather about his younger brother, Kenny Morris’ story, yeah, this is Kenny’s story. Some of you may have heard this story which was part of a longer story that I read at last month’s Midnight Voices so bear with me since on this day when we are trying to cry in the wilderness against the endless fruitless wars and the lives they have taken, the lives of our brothers and sisters, for no good reason it bears repeating.

I met Ralph Morris, a Vietnam veteran who served in the Big Red One, the Ist Division, a unit which saw plenty of action during his time “in country” in 1968 and who is a member of Veterans for Peace from Troy in upstate New York last March at a rally, unfortunately a small, too small, rally, in front of the White House protesting the continuing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan on the 12^th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. We talked for a while during the rally and subsequent march through the city and found that we had a common duty when we were in Washington. He would always go to the “black granite” as he called it, the Vietnam War Memorial down the Lincoln Memorial end of the National Mall to share a moment, and to shed a tear, for the fallen he wished to acknowledge from his home town and from the Big Red One.     

And for a different reason Kenneth Morris, his younger brother Kenny, who had actually joined the Army before him in 1966. Joined to fight the red menace, stop the dominos from falling or whatever irrational reason the sitting government gave at the time since Kenny was as patriotic as the next man, maybe more so, just like most of us back then, maybe questioning the wisdom of the government’s actions but not challenging them. Kenny had served with distinction in the Ist Brigade of 101^st Airborne Division in Vietnam, had earned a fistful of medals, maybe not as many as our own Bob Funke but plenty unlike Ralph who said he was just lucky and had guys around him who saved his ass. Kenny like Ralph got out of that hellhole alive. Got back to the “real” world in one piece for a while. Did okay for a few years, got a job, had a girlfriend, went places, then the other shoe fell. I don’t have to tell this audience where this story is going. Something snapped, some horror Kenny had witnessed or had taken part in during the war got to him. It started when Kenny began setting fire alarms off around the neighborhood which at first were overlooked by the family. Then the midnight walks started Kenny going naked down Ferry Street. Eventually Kenny got VA help, drugs and therapy, which kept his demons away, for a while. When those failed institutionalization, again for a while. Kenny was eventually released when the trend was to get guys out of institutions and into half-way houses. Then one night in 1977 shortly after his release Kenny jumped off the Mohawk River Bridge north of Albany heading toward Saratoga Springs on U.S. 87. Gone.

So yeah Ralph that March day shed a tear for Kenny too. You know there is no wall in Washington for the Kennys of the Vietnam War ….but maybe there should be.  Yeah, the specter of the Vietnam War still haunts my generation of ’68.   Kenneth Morris, presente. 

 

 

Veterans For Peace Demand Peace And Justice- October 7, 2012- New York City

Click on the headline to link to the Veterans For Peace website.

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At 10 p.m. on May 1,2012, the New York Police Department closed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, driving out members of the Occupy movement who were holding a nonviolent General Assembly. Eight members of the Veterans Peace Team and two members of Occupy Faith were arrested for standing their ground. A small metal sign has been posted at the park stating that it closes at 10 p.m. This was Vietnam vet Paul Appell's reaction:

"Plato wrote 'only the dead have seen the end of war.' War veterans, loved ones of the fallen, and certainly those living in war ^ones do not have the option of closing down their memories at 10p.m. There is a good reason why suicide is an attractive option for many. It is truly the only sure way of ending the memories. For a memorial to shut down at some convenient time for the city is an insult to all those who do not have the luxury of shutting down their war memories at a specific time. I know that many want us war vets to go out of sight and nof bother them, except when we are needed for some parade. Some of us are not going away at 10 p.m. or any other time. If they do not like it, maybe they should have thought of that before they sent us to war."

From The Smedley Butler Brigade-Veterans For Peace- In Boston- Memorial Day for Peace-May 28, 2012, 1:00 - 3:00 pm-The Program

Memorial Day For Peace

WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

Today is Memorial Day, when we may take a fleeting mo­ment to think about all our fellow Americans who have died in war­fare. Most ceremonies on this day revolve around patriotism, and therefore war and the glorification of armed conflict.

This ceremony is different. It is about respect and remem­brance for those Massachusetts citizens whose lives were ended in the more recent episodes of American occupation and counterinsurgency, Iraq and Afghanistan. But, mainly it is about peace and the need for peace.

If you will take a moment out of your holiday relaxation to notice, the participants are all former soldiers and civilian refugees of warfare. For them the issue of war and peace is crucial and not simply a pleasant notion. Tribute in this ceremony will be rendered to all alike, American soldiers and Iraqi refugees, without distinguishing friend from enemy. That is fitting if we are to embrace peace as a people in a country exhausted by endless foreign wars.

It is no longer debatable that our involvement in numerous military occupations is impoverishing us as a people, financially and morally. More than 60% of Americans now oppose war and want peace.

We ask that you show respect and consideration for the grav­ity of what we are doing here today - promoting peace. This is not just another fringe demonstration by hippies or malcontents. Please demonstrate your respect by stopping what you are doing and attend­ing the ceremony.

The dead and maimed deserve nothing less and we as a people need peace.
May 28, 2012

1:00 p.m.—3:00 p.m.

Christopher Columbus Park

Boston, Massachusetts

Sponsored by Veterans For Peace, Smedley D.
Butler Brigade, Chapter 9 and Samantha Smith
Chapter 45, Military Families Speak Out, United for
Justice with Peace, and Mass Peace Action

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PROGRAM

Scottish Bag Pipes Opening

Welcome

In Memory of our Friend Capt. Paul Brailsford

A short remembrance of my friend Zalmai

Return to Hell
Song—"Hunter"

What Memorial Day Means to Me

Suicide: The Hidden Wounds of War

Are -we finished with war yet?

Memorial Day For Peace

May 28, 2012

1:00 p.m.—3:00 p.m.

Christopher Columbus Park
Boston, Massachusetts
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Brian Quirk

Rev. Lara Hoke
Secretary, Smedley D. Butler Brigade

Pat Scanlon Coordinator Smedley D. Butler Brigade

Lee Vander Laan Executive Committee Smedley D. Butler Brigade

Bradford Adams Smedley D. Butler Brigade Afghanistan Veteran (2002-2003)

Kevin Lucey
Parent of Cpl. Jeffrey Lucey, USMC

SiKahn

Bob Funke
Smedley D. Butler Brigade

Bonnie Gorman Military Families Speak Out Gold Star Families Vietnam Smedley D. Butler Brigade

Nancy Wren Mass Peace Action

Poem

Webb Nichols
Smedley D. Butler Brigade

Reflection
Ahmad & Leyla Al Zubaydi Iraqi Refugees
Arab Spring and Hypocrisy of the West

Scottish Bag Pipes

Farouq Ali Iraqi Refugee

Closing Taps

Brian Quirk

Flower Ceremony**

Rev. Ralph Galen
Community Church of Lawrence

Jesse Perrier Executive Committee Smedley D. Butler Brigade

** At the conclusion of the reading of the names of military and civilian casualties, members of the audience who wish to commemorate a departed veteran are invited to step forward.

Veterans For Peace, Inc.

Veterans Working Together for Peace & Justice Through Non-Violence
National Office

216 South Meramec Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63105

314-725-6005

email: vfped@veteransforpeace.org website: www.veteransforpeace.org
Smedley D. Butler Brigade

P.O. Box 1604
Andover, MA 01810

Tel. 978-475-1776

www.smedleyvfp.org

Email: lee@massvfp.org