We all know we have a change coming, and it would be great if it happened yesterday, but it will be happening soon enough. That change is in a New President and His Administration who ran on “Change” and bringing along with him a change in the Peoples Representation in both houses of Congress.
The new President, Barack Obama, was not brought into this job of the Countries President by a political parties leaders but by The People who rallied behind him, from the primaries to the Nov 8th National Election Day, and those people, Us, have to continue in what happens, for just one person and the administration nor the peoples representatives can bring about the “Change” that is so desperately needed now after these detructive years on so many fronts by themselves, we must stay engaged!
The focus, as it should be right now, will be first on the collapsing economy, collapsing because of a failed economic ideology and allowing some to do as they pleased in the economic circles of Wall Street, the Banks, and the Investment Firms etc..
But we also still have Tens Of Thousands of Military Troops engaged in War and Occupation in two Countries and their Tens Of Thousands of Family Members here at home, the Only Ones Sacrificing for this Country, Serving and those Waiting for their return! It’s important that on their return home they have jobs to come home to with https://recruitmilitary.com/employers as they might be worth checking out for Veterans searching for jobs. As veterans have done so much for their country, the least they deserve is a place to finally call home. This is why VA loans exists, to help veterans purchase a home efficiently. To find out more, check out sites such as militaryhomesearch.com. Hopefully you’ll find a solution to your housing situation.
I will add more on this at the bottom, with this lead in:
Nov 6 2008; WASHINGTON (American Forces Press Service) – Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has issued a Veterans Day message to those who now serve or have served in the armed forces.
Here is the text of the chairman’s message:
“When Armistice was declared on November 11, 1918, effectively ending World War I, over sixty-five million individuals had been mobilized for the “Great War” that resulted in almost nine million deaths and over twenty-one million wounded. In just a year and a half of operations, 126,000 Americans lost their lives on the muddy landscapes of Europe and in the icy depths of the North Atlantic. Such loss of life and limb is hard to fathom today.
“History has debunked the notion of a ‘War to End All Wars.’ And history has also proven that peace does not preserve itself. It requires millions of dedicated men and women – like you and your families – all working in unison toward what one memorial hails as ‘high idealism, courageous sacrifice, and gallant achievement.’
“Today, a new generation of veterans carries this torch. Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom have forged the most combat-hardened force in our nation’s history. Yet, no war is without its casualties. Whether seen – or unseen – the wounds of war last a lifetime, and so should our care.
“Our wounded veterans and their families deserve only the best medical care our nation can provide – care on par with the service and sacrifice these patriots have rendered. From the battlefield to regional hospitals, and rehabilitation centers to reintegration programs, our wounded, ill, and injured Service members and their families merit a continuum of care that lasts a lifetime.
“To all our veterans – past and present – and your families, the Joint Chiefs and I salute you and thank you for your service and your sacrifice. As we remember those who have gone before us, may we honor their service through ours.
M.G. MULLEN
Admiral, U.S. Navy
There will be Veterans Day activities all over the country, from the small towns to the large cities, below are just some of the activities In Honor that Veterans For Peace along with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans and of course Military Families will be a part of, many sponsored activities of Veterans For Peace and Vietnam Veterans Against the War.
VETERANS FOR PEACE SPONSORED EVENTS:
The following cities have Veterans Day events:
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Boston, MA
NAME OF EVENT: March to hear messages of peace and against suppression of our speech
LOCATION OF EVENT: Boston Common Beacon and Charles St. Boston
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: We are excluded from marching with signs and cadences and will march behind the street sweepers with supporters behind us. At City Hall Plaza we will have a large presence and protest the City and American Legion suppressing messages of peace from veterans.
TIME: 12 PM
DATE: 11/11/08
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: 9 Smedley Butler Brigade
WEBSITE: Smedley Butler Brigade
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Chicago, IL
NAME OF EVENT: VFP/VVAW Combined Chicago Veterans’ Day Ceremony
LOCATION OF EVENT: Chicago Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial, North-West corner of Wacker & Wabash, Lower Level alongside Chicago River
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Ceremony begins with Folk Songs by Anna Stange, followed by speakers from IVAW, VFP and VVAW. At the end of the Ceremony, participants drop flowers into the Chicago River to remember the casualties of America’s past wars. There may be a party/fundraiser for IVAW following the Ceremony, pending the availability of the National Vietnam Veterans’ Art Museum, 1801 S. Indiana, Chicago, IL.
TIME: 11:00 A.M. Sharp tp 12:00 Noon
DATE: Tuesday, November 11, 2008
CONTACT INFORMATION: Ken Neilsen, [email protected]; Mike Woloshin, [email protected], Bob Gronko, [email protected]
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: Cpl. Joseph E. Powers-Chicago Area Chapter 26
WEBSITE: Chicago VFP
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Albany, NY
NAME OF EVENT: Veterans Day Parade
LOCATION OF EVENT: Central Ave. & Ontario St., Albany, NY
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Annual City of Albany Veterans Day Parade sponsored by the Tri-County Council of Viet Nam Era Veterans. Our Chapter has been an official contingent in the parade for about 10 years.
TIME: 11:00 AM
DATE: November 11, 2008
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: Tom Paine Chapter, #10
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Lebanon, TN
NAME OF EVENT: Veterans Day Parade
LOCATION OF EVENT: Lebanon TN
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Parade in Lebanon TN 25 miles east of Nashville
TIME: 11:00
DATE: 11/11
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: 89 Middle TN
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Milwaukee, WI
NAME OF EVENT: Armistice Day Remembrance
LOCATION OF EVENT: Milwaukee City Hall
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Our event will take place on the Veterans Day Parade route for more visibility. Speakers and a ceremonial bell ringing and then we’ll hand out informational packets to parade spectators. We will be joined by members of Peace Action Wisconsin and IVAW
TIME: 10AM-11AM
DATE: November 8, 2008
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: 102
WEBSITE: Milwaukee VFP
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Portland, ME
NAME OF EVENT: Portland Veterans Day Parade
LOCATION OF EVENT: Portland, Maine
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Standard parade – We have been the only “voice” for peace in the Portland parade for several years and have petitioned for a voice on the dais. No deal, so far.
DATE: November 11
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: 001
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Albany, OR
NAME OF EVENT: Veterans’ Day Parade
LOCATION OF EVENT: Albany, Oregon
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Veterans for Peace, Chapter 132 will march in the annual Veterans’ Day Parade in Albany, Oregon. We will be joined by supporters of VFP, and plan to distribute the VFP “Cost of War” cards along the route.
TIME: Parade starts at 11:00, form up by 10:00 am.
DATE: Tuesday, November 11th, 2008
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: 132
WEBSITE: VFP Corvallis
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Manchester, NH
NAME OF EVENT: Veterans Day Parade
LOCATION OF EVENT: Manchester, NH
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: NH VFP will march in the annual Veterans Day Parade where we will carry two banners – our plain black & white VFP logo and a larger black & white banner that states: “NH Veterans for Peace” and below that “Peace Is the Way.”
The parade organizing group led by several American Legion posts has finally allowed us to have a speaker at the post-parade ceremonies in Veterans Park. His name is Will Hopkins, a NH Guardsman who served in Iraq for a year. He is a member of both VFP and IVAW.
TIME: Nov. 11/08 – Parade begins at 10:30 am.
DATE: November 11, 2008
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: AJ Muste Chapter – #062
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New York City, NY
NAME OF EVENT: New York City Veterans Day Parade
LOCATION OF EVENT: New York City
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: We will be marching again in the anual Veterans Day Parade in New York City along with our friends from VFP Chapters 34 & 60, along with members from VVAW, MFSO and IVAW.
DATE: 11-11-08
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: VFP Chapter 24
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Long Island, NY
NAME OF EVENT: Healing Service for Returning Veterans
LOCATION OF EVENT: Old South Haven Presbyterian Church, Long Island, NY
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: A non-sectarian healing service for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans in anticipation of Chapter 138’s Peer Support Program.
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: Chapter 138
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Los Angeles, CA
NAME OF EVENT: Ron Kovic Speaks at Arlington West Santa Monica
LOCATION OF EVENT: North side of Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica CA
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Starting at AW SM there will be a procession of coffins up to the Santa Monica Veteran’s Memorial at the Palisades Park where Ron Kovic and others will speak. Procession will then return to AW SM.
TIME: 10:00 AM
DATE: 11-11-08
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: 007 Los Angeles
WEBSITE: Arlington West Santa Monica CA
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Port Angeles, WA
NAME OF EVENT: Veterans Day Celebration
LOCATION OF EVENT: U.S. Coastguard Station, Ediz Hook, Port Angeles Washington
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: VFP 139 will join with other veterans organizations and active Coast Guard to celebrate Veterans Day with music speeches and, in our case, antiwar statements.
TIME: 11:00 am
DATE: 11-11-08 Veterans Day
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: North Olympic Peninsula, Chapter 139
WEBSITE: NOP VFP
* There will also be showing on Public TV, Four veteran members will discuss their military experience and their evolution from soldiers to peace activists in VFP. Two female vets from the Iraq War and two Viet Nam War male vets will relate their activities to their collection of photos that will be shown as they talk.
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Hyannis, MA
NAME OF EVENT: Barnstable Soldiers Memorial Association – Veterans Day Parade and Program
LOCATION OF EVENT: Town Hall Parking Lot and Town Green, Hyannis, MA
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Community Parade, Speeches and Wreath-Laying at
several memorials locationed in Hyannis
TIME: 9:30AM Form-Up, 10:00AM Start
DATE: Tuesday, November 11, 2008
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: Cosponsored by VFP Cape Cod Chapter 041and other veterans groups
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San Francisco, CA
NAME OF EVENT: Veterans Day Parade
LOCATION OF EVENT: The parade starts at 2nd & Market Streets at 11:00am Sunday, Nov 9, marches past civic center and the War Memorial Building where the Review Stand is located.
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Veterans For Peace will once again participate in the Veterans Day Parade. We will march with our Agent Orange Banner: “Vietnam Veterans and Vietnamese People are Still Dying from Agent Orange. We will wear our AO colors, a VFP t-shirt that is orange with the same message on the back. We will also carry photo boards of Vietnamese people suffering from effetts of Agent Orange. We will be joined by many of the Vietnamese community here. This comes after our support of the Agent Orange Tour that is happening this week all over the SF Bay Area. We usually win a first or second place award in the San Francisco Parades.
TIME: 11am
DATE: November 9, 2008
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: San Francisco, Chapter 69
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Phoenix, AZ
NAME OF EVENT: VA Veterans Day Parade
LOCATION OF EVENT: Phoenix, AZ
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Parade has many entrants but only one peace organization. This is the Phoenix Chapter of VFP. We will march behind a flag draped coffin surrounded by boots representing the service people who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.
We are on probation this year. They are trying to find ways to get us out of the parade.
TIME: 11 AM
DATE: October 11
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: VFP Chapter 75
WEBSITE: Veterans For Peace Phoenix
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San Diego, CA
NAME OF EVENT: San Diego Veterans Day events
LOCATION OF EVENT: Various, see details below.
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: At 8 AM, the chapter will be setting up our now portable Arlington West Memorial (500 crosses and other religious symbols) at the grassy area in front of the USS Midway, now docked in downtown San Diego as a military museum. We will there all day and into the night reading the names of the fallen, with VFP, IVAW, VVAW, and MFSO banners, US and service flags, a tent, tabling and educational exhibits, and some small items for sale.
At 11 AM, the majority of SDVFP members will march in the annual San Diego Veterans Day parade along Pacific Highway. The theme this year is “Honor Korean War Veterans” and we will have a convertible with SDVFP banners for our honored Korean War veteran members (4-5) to ride in. We have been embraced and cheered by the parade spectators in previous parades, and we expect this year to be no different.
After the parade, at about 2 PM, we will proceed back to our Arlington West Memorial at the USS Midway for our monthly business meeting, which would have normally been on election day. We plan on conducting an outdoor business meeting surrounded by the crosses, banners and flags. At dark, there will be a candlelight vigil, and the Arlington West Memorial will be packed up for its next venue.
TIME: 8 AM, the chapter will be setting up our now portable Arlington West Memorial, 11 AM, the majority of SDVFP members will march in the annual San Diego Veterans Day parade along Pacific Highway, 2 PM, we will proceed back to our Arlington West Memorial at the USS Midway for our monthly business meeting
DATE: 11/11/08
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: Chapter #91 – Hugh Thompson Memorial
WEBSITE: San Diego VFP
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Minneapolis, MN
NAME OF EVENT: Armistice Day Bell Ringing
LOCATION OF EVENT: First Shot Cannon Memorial on State Capital Grounds St. Paul, Mn
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: We will ring bells eleven times and read the names of Minnesota combat dead in Iraq and Afganistan commemorating Armistice Day.
TIME: 11:00 a.m.
DATE: 11/11/2008
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: chapter 27
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Greenfield, MA
NAME OF EVENT: Veterans Day Parade
LOCATION OF EVENT: Greenfield, MA
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Along with IVAW we will start at Greenfield Middle School (195 Federal St. We call on all who can march with us. This may be the towns last parade.
TIME: 9:30am
DATE: 11/11/2008
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: Chapter 95
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Long Beach, CA
NAME OF EVENT: Long Beach Ca. Veterans Day Parade
LOCATION OF EVENT: Long Beach, Ca.
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: VFP Members will be marching with IVAW, MFSO and other local Peace groups. Last year our groups were denied entrance and the incident got national adverse publicity and as a result this year we are in and invite family and friends to join us. Call or email for details.
TIME: 10:00AM
DATE: Sat. November 8 – 11/08/08
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: LA-Long Beach Harbor Area Chapter # 067
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Juneau, AK
NAME OF EVENT: Special Film Presentation
LOCATION OF EVENT: Silverbow Inn – Juneau, AK
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: The Juneau, Alaska VFP Chapter is sponsoring a special public showing of the recent film “Soldiers of Conscience.” The film will be preceded by a short message from Chapter President Phil Smith. In a related activity, on the evening before Veterans Day, Phil will host the film’s co-producer on the Chapter’s monthly radio show (“PeaceTalk”) produced on KTOO-FM, the local public radio station (104.3 FM). The program is web-cast ( KTOO-FM ) for those interested.
TIME: 7:30:00 PM
DATE: 11/11/2008
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: Chapter 100
WEBSITE: VFP Juneau
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Madison, WI
NAME OF EVENT: 3rd Memorial Mile – Chapter 25
LOCATION OF EVENT: Madison, WI.
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Chapter 25 will install its 3rd Memorial Mile in Madison on November 8, running to November 15th. Location: Forest Hill Cemetery, Speedway Road, Madison. Installation starts at 9am on Nov. 8th. 4,800 tombstones. Special one-hour memorial program on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 2pm.
TIME: 24 hours a day
DATE: Nov 8-15
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: Chapter 25 (Clarence Kailin Chapter)
WEBSITE: Madison VFP
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Palm Springs, CA
NAME OF EVENT: Veterans Day Parade
LOCATION OF EVENT: Palm Springs CA
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: VFP marches with a banner tha says: “Support the Troops. Bring Them Home”
TIME: 2:30 PM start up
DATE: Tuesday November 11
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: Jon Castro Chapter 19
WEBSITE: VFP Chapter 19
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Auburn, WA
NAME OF EVENT: Veterans Day Parade
LOCATION OF EVENT: Auburn, Wa.
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Parade w/ chapter 92 and other Western WA chapters
TIME: 11AM
DATE: Nov. 8, 2008
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: City of Auburn, WA. / contingent of Greater Seattle, Chapter 92
WEBSITE: VFP Chapter 92
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Pittsburgh, PA
NAME OF EVENT: Veterans Day Parade
LOCATION OF EVENT: Allegheny County/Pittsburgh Pa.
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: The ususal shassay done main street featuring Veterans organizations from throughout Western Pa. Bands, Banners, etc.
TIME: nine until post parade festivites are done.
DATE: Nov. 11th 2008
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: 047 Southwestern Pa.
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Miami, FL
NAME OF EVENT: Miami Beach Veterans Day Parade
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: For the fourth consecutive year, the South Florida Veterans For Peace Chapter will march in the Miami Beach Veterans Day Parade alongside the American Legion Post 85, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3559 and the Miami Special Forces Veterans Group.
The parade kickoff is from 17th Street and Washington Avenue. We will march to the cenopath at the old City Hall on 11th and Washington.
TIME: 9:00am
DATE: Tuesday 11 November 2008
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: Alexander S. Arredondo Chapter, South Florida
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Evansville, IN
NAME OF EVENT: Remembering Iraq War Dead
LOCATION OF EVENT: Four Freedoms Monument
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: The VFP Chapter 104, Evansville, IN will assemble at the Four Freedoms Monument to read the names of Service Men and Women killed in Iraq.
TIME: 11:00 AM Central Standard Time
DATE: November 11, 2008
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: Chapter 104, Evansville, IN
WEBSITE: VFP Evansville
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Ann Arbor, MI
NAME OF EVENT: Arlington Michigan Display
LOCATION OF EVENT: Veterans Park, Corner of Jackson and Maple, Ann Arbor, MI
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Display of one cross for every Michigan soldier killed in Iraq. Veterans Day peace reading at 11am.
TIME: 9am to 6pm
DATE: November 11, 2008
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: 93
WEBSITE: VFP Chapter 93
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Rochester, NY
NAME OF EVENT: Veterans’ Day Peace Observance and Ceremony
LOCATION OF EVENT: Washington Square Park, Rochester, NY and First Universalist Church
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: At the park, there will be a reading of names and sharing stories of war dead.
The program will then move into the church, where the ceremony will continue with reflections by local veterans. There will be tabling by VFP and IVAW and a buffet served by “Food Not Bombs.”
TIME: 3:00pm
DATE: Nov. 9, 2008
SPONSORED BY VFP CHAPTER: many peace groups in Rochester, including VFP, Chapter 23
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Join in or Observe those Veterans Day Activities near you. But let it be know that these two conflicts are right along side of the economic disaster or directly below as to Importance.
Send the message, if you haven’t been already, starting this coming Tuesday, Veterans Day, that these Conflicts Must End!
That we, as a Country, must once again Lead by Diplomacy, Tough but Engaged, not throwing our morality away, as we have been, destroying others!
We must Engage the Regions Leaderships and the Regions Religious Leaderships of Iraq and Afghanistan to bring an end to both occupations, especially Iraq which never should have occurred!
But also Afghanistan, we’ve killed and maimed to many innocent Afghans, we’ve destroyed and not re-built enough of their already destroyed country, we are creating hatreds not friends and now that we’ve allowed it to spill over into Pakistan we are continuing in failed policies that are adding even more to the hatreds and numbers of enemies of us and the west!
We must join together with the World Community and place Terrorism where it belonged all along as a Criminal Act against Innocent People all over and not against the Governments these Terrorists are targeting!
Use the forces of Intelligence of as many countries that are willing to seek out and bring the criminal terrorist element to Justice, when need be combined military forces could be used, this is what should have happened long ago but especially after 9/11 when the whole world was more than willing to help, now most have their backs turned on us as we’ve lost so much of what we had built as a world leader!!