Tag: Veterans

Support Our Troops

Memorial Day has come and gone and all day long we heard (if you were out and about) just how massive our support for our troops is….sorry but Memorial Day is not about supporting the troops but rather those that had their lives taken from them in a time of war.

“Support our troops” is a catchphrase, almost a mantra, often used by cynical politicians to suppress dissent about their disastrous wars of choice. Basically, dissenters are accused of being unpatriotic because their criticism allegedly betrays the troops and weakens national resolve. It’s a BS argument but it’s often compelling and even convincing to some.

Americans have a civic religion defined by the Pledge of Allegiance, the flag, the National Anthem, military parades and pageantry, and U.S. history taught as heritage and as a celebration of American goodness and greatness. When you step outside of that, when you criticize it, dissent from it, you must be prepared to be attacked as a heretic.

Back in 2010, I wrote an article for TomDispatch in which I argued that not every American troop is a hero. I argued instead that real heroes are few and far between, and that the ideal of heroism shouldn’t be associated so closely, even almost exclusively, with military service. These are obvious points (to me, at least), but I took some flak for suggesting that merely donning a military uniform doesn’t and shouldn’t make one a “hero.”

I remain convinced that hyping the troops as universal “heroes” isn’t a form of support. The troops know better. If you truly want to support them, listen to them. Be an informed and knowledgeable citizen. Speak your mind and don’t be afraid to criticize those who seek to use the military for dishonorable or indefensible purposes.

Since this is America, theoretically land of the free, feel free as well to speak out against the military. Our founders were suspicious of large standing armies and were wary of wars as being especially pernicious to democracy.

We Americans celebrate our troops for defending freedom, yet we paradoxically attack those who try to exercise their freedom by denouncing war and militarism. You can’t have it both ways. Unless you want hypocrisy instead of democracy, you can’t celebrate freedom while denying it.

This was, of course, the so-called original sin of the American republic: celebrating freedom while also enshrining the institution of slavery. Rank hypocrisy led inexorably to the U.S. Civil War.

https://original.antiwar.com/william_astore/2026/05/24/support-our-troops-what-it-really-means/

This pseudo-religion is practiced everyday….with the singing of the anthem or the reciting of the Pledge, etc….but most participate because everyone around them is doing it….

I have a hard time with people that blindly thank me for my service but know nothing about me or how I was treated when I returned home.

If you want to ‘thank them for their service’ then become more engaged in what they must go through to return to civilian life….in some cases it is not an easy transformation.

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

Memorial Day (Observed)–2026

Today is Memorial Day (observed) and this will be my only post today for I must attend to the traditional stuff I do on this day.

There are many things that we as Americans should do on this solemn day….it is a day of remembrance not partying.

Ways to honor on Memorial Day….

  • Attend a Memorial Day Ceremony: Many communities organize Memorial Day ceremonies at local cemeteries, memorials, or Veterans’ organizations. Participating in these events provides an opportunity to pay tribute to fallen soldiers alongside fellow citizens and Veterans.
  • Visit a Military Cemetery: Take a moment to visit a Military cemetery in your area and place flowers or flags on the graves of fallen soldiers. This simple act of remembrance is a powerful way to honor their memory and show appreciation for their service.
  • Support Veterans and Military Families: Consider volunteering with organizations that support Veterans and Military families. Whether it’s organizing care packages, providing assistance with job placement, or offering emotional support, there are countless ways to give back to those who have served. Visit our volunteer page if you would be interested in volunteering with us at Soldiers’ Angels. We offer in-person and virtual options!
  • Educate Others: Use Memorial Day as an opportunity to educate others, especially younger generations, about the significance of the holiday and the sacrifices made by our Military personnel. Share stories of valor and heroism to ensure that the memory of our fallen heroes lives on.
  • Moment of Silence: At 3:00 PM local time on Memorial Day, observe a moment of silence to honor the fallen. This simple yet profound gesture is a way to collectively pause and reflect on the sacrifices of those who gave everything for our country.
  • Give a gift in memory of a fallen hero: Soldiers’ Angels, along with countless other Military and Veteran nonprofits across the country, rely on donations in order to continue providing support to current and future generations of military-connected families. Giving a gift in memory of a fallen hero not only helps to memorialize their service but also pays it forward to other Service Members and Veterans who may be in a situation of need.

Just as there are things Americans can do to honor our fallen heroes….there are also things that should NOT be done….

  • Don’t wish someone “Happy Memorial Day.” This isn’t a joyful holiday like Christmas or the Fourth of July. It’s a solemn time set aside to honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
  • Don’t thank active-duty service members—at least, not specifically for this day. While we deeply respect and honor those currently serving, Memorial Day is not about them. It’s about remembering the fallen. (We honor all veterans on Veterans Day in November.)
  • Don’t disregard the meaning of the day. It’s easy to let the long weekend become just about barbecues or big sales. But especially after the many conflicts our country has seen in recent decades, we must not let the memory of those who gave their lives become an afterthought.
  • Don’t let politics get in the way of respect. Whether or not we agree with any particular war or military decision, this day isn’t about politics. It’s not a day to glorify war—but to remember its cost and honor those who gave their lives in service.

This day is close to my heart as I always take the time to remember my friends that gave their all in Vietnam.

Please honor the Fallen in a proper manner.

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

About Your VA Health Issues

As a veteran I am always watching on how the government treats our veterans…..recently it has not been good news and then I read something that made me sick….

Doctors and other medical professionals working for the Department of Veterans Affairs can now refuse to treat Democrats and unmarried veterans.

VA hospital bylaws previously barred medical staff from discriminating against patients “on the basis of race, age, color, sex, religion, national origin, politics, marital status or disability in any employment matter,” The Guardian reported.

But now, in response to President Donald Trump’s January executive order on “gender ideology,” “national origin,” “politics,” and “marital status” have been removed from the list, allowing medical staff to deny treatment based on their personal politics, according to the newspaper.

Similarly, the bylaws on staffing decisions no longer prohibit discriminating against candidates on the basis of national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, membership in a union, or affiliation with a “lawful political party.”

With more than 170 hospitals and more than 1,000 clinics, the VA is the largest integrated hospital system in the U.S. It employs 26,000 doctors and serves 9 million patients annually.

In an emailed statement to The Guardian, VA press secretary Peter Kasperowicz did not deny that doctors can refuse to treat patients based on their beliefs or that hospitals could fire physicians based on their marital status or political affiliation.

“All eligible veterans will always be welcome at VA and will always receive the benefits and services they’ve earned under the law,” he said in a statement, calling the rule changes a mere “formality.”

This sucks for our veterans that depend on the VA if the story is true…..

I am sure that this will be challenged in the courts and may make it to SCOTUS and if it does I have no confidence that the veterans will win that fight.

This is for all those veterans that voted for the idiot in the WH….WTF were you thinking?

Please keep abreast of the news around the VA and keep any affiliations to yourself or suffer the consequences.

I Reade, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

The Sixth Of June

Today we celebrate the landing of Allied (I said Allies because the US did not act alone) troops on the beaches of Normandy to start the end of the Nazi war machine’s domination of Europe.

Veterans gathered Friday in Normandy to mark the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings — a pivotal moment of World War II that eventually led to the collapse of Adolf Hitler’s regime.

Along the coastline and near the D-Day landing beaches, tens of thousands of onlookers attended the commemorations, which included parachute jumps, flyovers, remembrance ceremonies, parades, and historical reenactments.

Many were there to cheer the ever-dwindling number of surviving veterans in their late 90s and older. All remembered the thousands who died.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth commemorated the anniversary of the D-Day landings, in which American soldiers played a leading role, with veterans at the American Cemetery overlooking the shore in the village of Colleville-sur-Mer.

The June 6, 1944, D-Day invasion of Nazi-occupied France used the largest-ever armada of ships, troops, planes and vehicles to breach Hitler’s defenses in western Europe. A total of 4,414 Allied troops were killed on D-Day itself.

“The heroism, honor and sacrifice of the Allied forces on D-Day will always resonate with the U.S. Armed Forces and our Allies and partners across Europe,” said Lt. Gen. Jason T. Hinds, deputy commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa. “So let us remember those who flew and fell.

“Let us honor those who survived and came home to build a better world. And let us ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain by meeting today’s challenges with the same resolve, the same clarity of purpose, and the same commitment to freedom.”

https://apnews.com/article/france-dday-anniversary-normandy-77034f1e01fac2bda85d4518832ce5c6

While most Americans are celebrating the assault that lead to VE Day…..veterans are gathering to protest….protesting the slicing of benefits to veterans that served this country faithfully (which is more than Donny and his band of merry gangsters ever did)….

Veterans across the United States will gather on June 6, 2025, to protest the Trump administration’s cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as the slashing of staff and programs throughout the government. Veteran-led protests will be held at the National Mall, 16 state capitol buildings and over 100 other venues across 43 states.

Veterans are disproportionately affected by federal cuts, in part because they make up only 6.1% of the U.S. population but, because of “veterans preference” in federal hiring, they compose 24% of the 3 million federal workers facing mass layoffs under the Trump administration.

Veterans also depend on comprehensive, free, federally funded health care through VA clinics throughout the country. But that care is deteriorating due to cuts, rule changes and return-to-work policies that make it impossible for many VA workers to effectively provide care.

Looming cuts to the VA may cause an irreversible blow if the VA stops providing comprehensive care to veterans and, instead, pushes veterans into seeing doctors in private practice.

This is not the first time that veterans have engaged in mass mobilization. Veterans groups in the U.S. have successfully mobilized for centuries, crossing traditional political divisions such as race, class and gender. They are powerful messengers, and their actions in the past have helped secure back pay and pensions for veterans, a Social Security and welfare system for U.S. civilians, and foreign policy changes to end wars abroad.

I’m a scholar of law, social movements and veterans benefits. Here’s a brief history of veterans’ campaigns that illustrates how veterans developed their political clout and effectively advocated to protect themselves, and many others, from harmful federal policies.

https://theconversation.com/veterans-protests-planned-for-d-day-latest-in-nearly-250-years-of-fighting-for-their-benefits-255346

More thoughts on why the vets have decided to go it alone…..https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/06/bonus-army-d-day-protest-veterans-affairs-donald-trump/

History shows us that veterans have had to fight for the promises that the government gave them to get them to enlist and fight their wars….once the vets were used up the guarantees and promises were soon forgotten by the government and the country.

I say kudos to me fellow veterans that refuse to roll over and play dead…..like so many Americans have done.

They deserve every ounce of benefits and probably a lot more.

I hope that this protest will be the spark to a wider movement as the veterans did for the anti-war protests of the 70s.

+++Note:  This will be my only post today for another trip to the Cancer Center is due….yet another scan and meeting with a doctor…..I will be checking back ever so often to see how things are going…..I will be back tomorrow with more stuff.  Thanx for all your understanding and support.+++

I hope every one of my friends here on IST has a wonderful weekend….and always….Be Well and Be Safe…..

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

Memorial Day 2025 (Observed)

First off I would like to wish a wonderful day and a safe one for my readers.

Second we all should take a few moments to remember those that gave their all in the service of their country…..something we seem to forget most times.

I know I will take some time and toast those friends that I lost in Vietnam….My Better Half, Sue, was also a veteran and today is her day in my house….but that is just me.

What would veterans say to Little Donny on this day?

This Memorial Day comes a month after the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon, which was largely used to recall the collapse of the entire American project in Vietnam. In short, the failure of the war is now viewed as both a rebuke of the American Exceptionalism myth and the rigid Cold War mentality that had Washington in a vice grip for much of the 20th Century.

“The leaders who mismanaged this debacle were never held accountable and remained leading players in the establishment for the rest of their lives,” noted author and professor Stephen Walt in a RS symposium on the war. “The country learned little from this bitter experience, and repeated these same errors in Iraq, Afghanistan, and several other places.”

Today, after 20 years of those post-9/11 wars, the American people — including many of the veterans who fought there — have seemingly got the message. In poll after poll, they reject the use of force as the first tool in the toolbox. They eschew the idea of prospective war with Iran, and China over Taiwan.

But do our leaders “get it”?

Donald Trump swept into office in 2016 on the idea that he would end “endless” conflict and shared the national disdain for being lied to in order to invade Iraq, and for spreading American troops too thin to fight Washington’s wars of choice overseas. Now in his second term he has made similar exhortations — recently he rebuked the “neocons” who “spent trillions and trillions of dollars failing to develop Kabul, Baghdad, and so many other cities” in his recent Middle East trip.

His Vice President JD Vance is a veteran who has admonished the interventionist impulses of the past. Delivering the commencement speech to West Point’s class of 2025 on Friday, he said his boss wants only to send men and women into conflict with clear goals rather than “undefined missions” and “open-ended conflicts” of the past.

Read on….

https://responsiblestatecraft.org/veterans-memorial-day/

This government is a con job just like most so-called governments…..when making war is more important than a starving child then this country has taken too steps backwards.

People died in service to their nation and that is what we should remember on this day not the unofficial beginning of Summer with BBQ and beer.

This will be my only post today for there are things that I need to do plus it will most likely be a slow day here on IST as others celebrate the day in their own way.

I wish everyone a great day and as always….Be Well and Be Safe….

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

WTF? No Veterans Day?

The 11th of November is the day set aside for the country to honor those brave souls that gave their all in service to their country.

It is a holiday for a reason….to show respect.

It could possibly become a thing of the past if Little Donny gets his way….

President Trump says he is renaming Veterans Day to celebrate victory—and he’s giving Victory in Europe Day a new name as well. “Many of our allies and friends are celebrating May 8th as Victory Day, but we did more than any other Country, by far, in producing a victorious result on World War II,” he said in a Truth Social post. “I am hereby renaming May 8th as Victory Day for World War II and November 11th as Victory Day for World War I again!”

  • Politico calls the push to rename Veterans Day “surprising.” It was originally Armistice Day, marking the last day of WWI, but was broadened in the 1950s to include American veterans of other wars, including WWII.
  • CNN reports that, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, Congress passed a law in 1938 declaring November 11 a day to be dedicated to WWI veterans and “the cause of world peace.”

  • “We won both Wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance, but we never celebrate anything,” Trump wrote. “That’s because we don’t have leaders anymore, that know how to do so! We are going to start celebrating our victories again!” The BBC reports that Trump’s remarks are likely to anger Russia, which marks its victory in World War II, which it calls the Great Patriotic War, on May 9. When Germany surrendered unconditionally on May 8, 1945, the date marked as V-E Day elsewhere, it was already May 9 on Moscow time. The Soviet Union lost around 27 million people, including almost 9 million troops, in the war.

    Unlike Veterans Day, May 8 isn’t a federal holiday and Trump didn’t say whether he plans to make it one, which would require an act of Congress. Critics were quick to point out that despite Trump’s proposed name change, the date doesn’t mark American victory in WWII, which came months later, when Japan surrendered after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. “We won World War II on August 15, 1945 when the Japanese surrendered,” Keith Olbermann said in a post on X. “Trump is a complete moron.” That date is marked as V-J Day in countries including the UK and Australia, though historians say the official end of the war was September 2, 1945, when Japan signed surrender documents aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, CNN reports

This idiot is a history MORON!

But what can you expect from this ‘person’?  After all he could not tear himself away from the golf course to go to Dover Air Base to honor fallen American soldiers when their bodies were returned to the nation.

Not only is this tool disrespecting Americans he also made some glowing moronic statements about WW2…

“We won both wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery or military brilliance, but we never celebrate anything,” he said.

“Many of our allies and friends are celebrating May 8th as Victory Day, but we did more than any other Country, by far, in producing a victorious result on World War II,” Trump said online.

This man is an idiot to discount the contribution of the UK and France and the rest of Europe in the victory over the Nazis  (Is that his intention?)

+++Please forgive my next statement….if harsh words offend you then by all means bypass this one+++

This is to some of my fellow veterans….why id god’s name would semi-literate asshole support his disrespectful son-of-a-bitch?

I am offended as so should would any veterans that served his country in the military.

This is not a done deal so hopefully Congress will not let this travesty become law….but I have my doubts.

Anything to say?

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

Benefits For IDF Veterans

I call bullsh*t on this bit of stupidity.

It seems that American serving in the IDF can claim benefits from the US….if this idiotic bill goes through the process.

A bill introduced in the House by Reps. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) and Max Miller (R-OH) would extend certain benefits for Americans serving in the US military to American citizens in the Israeli military.

The legislation, introduced on May 17, would give Americans in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).

The SCRA protects US service members from civil legal action while they’re on active duty and for up to a year after. The USERRA protects the civilian employment of active and reserve military personnel when they’re called to active duty.

“Over 20,000 American citizens are currently defending Israel from Hamas terrorists, risking their lives for the betterment of our ally,” Reschenthaler said in a statement on the legislation.

The Washington Post reported in February that an estimated 23,380 American citizens are serving in the Israeli military. Many are dual citizens who were already living in Israel, but as of November 2023, about 10,000 people living in the US had traveled to Israel to report for duty with the IDF after receiving draft notices. According to Responsible Statecraft, 21 American citizens serving in the IDF have been killed in Gaza, and one was killed in northern Israel near the Lebanon border.

Reschenthaler said his legislation will “ensure we do everything possible to support these heroes who are standing with Israel, fighting for freedom, and combating terrorism in the Middle East.”

(antiwar.com)

Who do you think paid for this bit of nonsensical legislation?

Go ahead…..venture a guess.

Does anyone remember the days when it was illegal to fight in another’s war wearing a foreign uniform?

I have a strong opinion on this serving in the IDF….my though is if they serve in another country’s military then that is their primary citizenship and get nothing from the US….if they cannot serve in our military then nothing is what they get.

I have had enough of these bullsh*t bills that the GOP and even some Dems have offered up for consideration….this country needs help and we had rather focus on this dust bowls around the globe.

Time to get to work on this country and screw the rest let them fend for themselves.

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

The Battle Of Athens

HUH?

The recent protests made me think of my glory days as an antiwar protester….it also made me think of some protests from the past….protests that are long forgotten but serve their purpose.

The Battle of Athens?

Could this be some random Greek saga or Is this some WW2 battle of note? Or is it some diatribe about Sherman crushing through Georgia?

That’s right a little history for this day…..this piece is about the actions of veterans from WW2.

In the post-war summer of 1946, the small town of Athens, Tennessee became the epicenter of an event that went down in history as the Battle of Athens. This wasn’t merely a physical confrontation, but a fight against entrenched corruption, and it was a battle that symbolized the broader struggle against tyranny and injustice in post-war America.

The protagonists of this historic grandstand were none other than returning World War II veterans, who, after fighting overseas, found themselves facing a new kind of enemy on home soil. The corruption in Athens had been brewing for over a decade under Sheriff Paul Cantrell and his associates, who’d manipulated the political landscape. These veterans, witnessing the disintegration of democracy and fairness in their town, decided the time had come to take action.

Their training, coupled with a deep-seated belief in justice, prepared them for the confrontation that unfolded.

The end of World War II brought a wave of relief and hope to millions, with service members returning home to rebuild their lives in peace. However, for the veterans of Athens, this was far from reality. They returned to find their town under the control of Paul Cantrell’s corrupt regime, characterized by rampant intimidation, voter suppression and a blatant disregard for the law. The local government had become a machinery of corruption, operating with impunity and stifling the voices of citizens.

These returning heroes, already seasoned by the horrors of war, were now confronted with a new battle, one threatening the very principles they’d fought to uphold. Unwilling to stand idly by, they were resolved to challenge the status quo, setting the stage for what became a historic uprising against corruption.

https://www.warhistoryonline.com/featured/battle-of-athens.html

And then there was more veterans that stepped up especially those from World War One….Remember the Bonus Army?….

Of course not!

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/macarthur-bonus-march-may-july-1932/

This is how you do things when injustice is rampant…..not like today when you sit on social media and piss and moan until the next celeb does something that impresses you or until you see the problem and try to understand (ha ha ha)

Be Smart!

Learn Stuff!

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

War Tourism?

To be brutally honest it is Sunday and I am feeling lazy so I thought I would re-post this article from my other blog, Gulf South Free Press, this for those readers that do not know of my other blog….I do not want to have them miss my brilliant interpretations of things.

I recently got an email from a person that served in the 9th Infantry Division, the unit I served with in Vietnam, saying that he and others were putting together a trip to Vietnam and would like it if I would accompany them as well.

My reply was short and sweet….NO!  I saw that country twice ….do not want to do it a third time.

That email got me to thinking about war tourism.

I know many people like to re-enact and visit famous battlefields and such….but why?  Most do not care one whit for history so what makes the ugliness of war so attractive?

I can understand to a point if you are a student in the field of Conflict Management or Political History….but to vacation with war is just stupid at least to me.

Any way there is a big industry in war tourism…Gettysburg, the Alamo, Battle of New Orleans, Normandy, Pearl Harbor, etc. etc., etc…..again….why?

War tourism, despite the contradiction in its name, refers to recreational travel to areas associated with past or current war zones. These destinations encompass active conflict zones, famous battlefields, war memorials, cemeteries, and museums. Sites of darker historical significance, such as prison camps, mass graves, and execution sites, even fall into this category. The motivations behind such travel are multifaceted, with educational and memorial purposes at the forefront.

While it may be challenging to comprehend the appeal of traveling to regions marked by devastation and conflict, war tourism is not new. It can be traced back to the 19th century, during wars like the Napoleonic, American Civil, and Crimean Wars. Early war tourists were observed visiting war-ravaged cities’ battlefields after the fighting had ceased. Onlookers would picnic at a safe distance from skirmishes and take home macabre souvenirs. Their motivations, it seems, ranged from morbid curiosity to a desensitization to death and suffering.

Another common motivation for war tourism is education and preserving collective memory. Students, scholars, and history enthusiasts often embark on tours of former battlefields, museums, and prison camps. Their primary goal is often to gain a deeper understanding of how wars have shaped a region’s history.

https://travelnoire.com/what-is-war-tourism

I do not agree that it is to educate and impart some sort of understanding among participants….like I stated earlier in this post….most could care less about the history behind the battle but rather some perverse sense of awe at the concept of death and destruction.

I visited many war sites but not out of fascination but rather to further my knowledge because in those days I was a grad student in Conflict and political history….did it help my understanding?

Not so much but it did throw some light on the myths that pop up around war.

So no I will not be going back to Vietnam for a ‘visit’…..I do not need healing, I do not want to heal, the war helped make me who I am and I will forever be grateful for that.

Any thoughts on war tourism?

Have a great Sunday and as always….Be Well and Be Safe…..

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

Memorial Day–2023

Memorial Day Images Free Download And Quotes 2023 - Sapelle.com

Today is the day we set aside to remember those that gave their all for country…..I will be doing what I have done every Memorial Day since 1970…..I remember all my comrades that did not return from Vietnam…..

There are a few things that should not be done on this solemn day…..

5 things not to do on Memorial Day
  • Don’t wish anyone a “Happy Memorial Day” There are dozens of ways you can honor America’s fallen this Memorial Day.
  • Don’t thank the current troops. …
  • Don’t disregard its importance. …
  • Don’t forget it exists. …
  • Don’t let politics keep you from rendering respect.

While this is to commemorate our fallen soldiers it is good to remember that during war there are more victims than just the military….as a supporter of Veterans For Peace I wish to pass on their statement for Memorial Day…..

This Memorial Day we remember allwho have died in war and understand that no one wins in war. Many of us have been personally touched by war. But we must also extend that mourning. We remember the civilian victims, and their families. Honoring and remembering some deaths while ignoring others not only perpetuates war, but also ignores the moral injuries of war, a significant cause of veteran suicide.

Veterans For Peace is made up of military veterans, family members and friends who are joined by our pledge to serve the cause of world peace and abolish war. We bring a different message to Memorial Day than the themes usually promoted by popular media, the government and traditional veterans’ organizations.

We do not seek to glorify either warriors or war. Rather, Veterans For Peace seeks to educate the public about the folly of war and the costs of war – human, economic, political, environmental/climate. On Memorial Day, VFP members march in parades, lay wreaths, give talks and speeches, recite poetry, and vigil to honor U.S. service members who died in and as a result of war, as well as all the civilian victims of war.

There are people who profit from war, mainly those who invest in the war industry or the oil sector. But the veterans and civilians who survive war suffer for the rest of their lives. And the entire society is robbed of trillions of tax dollars which could be spent on jobs, education, healthcare, infrastructure and renewable energy.

Veterans For Peace has commemorated Memorial Day every year to remember the true costs of war.

Please take a few minutes out of your day and remember those people that paid the ultimate price for war.

Have a good day…..

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”