New York City VFP chapter meeting in December 2020 included a discussion of the organization’s history of chapter- and member-based organizing. The four panelists were founding member Doug Rawlings; Ken Mayers, founder of the Santa Fe chapter; Paul Cox, founder of the San Francisco chapter, which arose out of a previously existing veterans organization; and Col. Ann Wright (ret.).
There was also discussion in the chat box, which is posted below.
18:29:51 From Anthony Donovan to Everyone : Go to for TPNW info: www.nuclearban.us, For info on most all actions anti nuclear: www.nuclearresister.org, For the Kings Bay CW 7: www.kingsbayplowshares7.org, for the 2017 video to support the signing of the TPNW: https://vimeo.com/234240471
18:32:42 From REPP to Everyone : That right
18:33:34 From m Guy to Everyone : the online info is hard to bring up.(Swarthmore)
18:47:41 From zool Zulkowitz : Good evening, beautiful peeps! Sorry I’m late.
18:55:15 From Veterans For Peace : Is there an updated agenda that can be shared?
18:57:44 From Jim Brasile Veterans For Peace Connecticut 42 : We who believe in peace have no choice. We must urgently act to press the new administration to change the current equation that the only road to good jobs is through mass murder. See attached flier.
Join the Connecticut Peace and Solidarity Coalition on Saturday, January 9, 1PM to 3PM Eastern, in a free webinar featuring a variety of impressive viewpoints:
• Professor Richard Wolff offers the new Secretary of Labor: “”How … to initiate conversion of a war economy to a peace- and-environmentally-responsible economy.”
• Danny Sjursen, moderator, provides us the urgent peace perspective of an Army officer and Iraqi war veteran, member of Veterans for Peace and AboutFace.
• Middletown Mayor Ben Florsheim addresses how the desperate needs of our cities can be met by transferring funds from the war budget.
• First-year college student and organizer of the New Haven Climate movement Adrian Huq describes why climate activists and youth must create a peacetime economy.
• Joe Jamison, labor and peace activist, explains how the nationwide Move the Money to Human Needs Campaign, which he coordinates, can move Congress to act.
Time for Q/A, the webinar is free. See and distribute attached flier.
Details on registration will be forthcoming.
Peace /\ Justice
Henry Lowendorf
Greater New Haven Peace Council
submitted Jim Brasile Veterans For Peace Connecticut 42
18:58:54 From Jim Brasile Veterans For Peace Connecticut 42 : link for registration to be forwarded in near future. thanks Chapter 34!!!
19:01:27 From Anthony Donovan : Thank you deeply for your lives of service to life, thank you for the courage, and joy and truth.
19:07:30 From djshea@hotmail.com : Thanks to Susan and all, I want to wish you all a Happy Hanukkah this is the seventh night and also the Birthday of my son Casey ¡Presente!
19:10:52 From Becky Luening : We saw that with the Gulf wars too
19:11:55 From Ann Wright : SHOCKING!!!!!
19:12:24 From Ann Wright : Egos, difference of opinions in VFP! Remarkable!
19:12:33 From Don Kimball : Appalling!
19:12:37 From Becky Luening : Please define “the other side”
19:12:55 From David : Maybe a change from ego before commitment to commitment before ego
19:13:20 From Barry : Thanks Doug. Barry
19:15:46 From Becky Luening : Yay Will!
19:20:57 From Barry : Thanks Ken……. Barry
19:21:43 From David : Love that statement: take opportunities of crisis.
19:24:29 From Vince Dijanich : Paul, I still have a VSA tee shirt
19:27:21 From Becky Luening : Duncan Murphy was an ambulance driver in WWII I , he saw the liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp if I remember correctly…
19:27:36 From Becky Luening : He was a trip
19:28:53 From Becky Luening : Gerry had a falling out with Brian and George for different reasons.
19:32:54 From Bob Keilbach : 1. Introductions/Treasury Report/Meeting minutes/Moment of Silence.
- Guest Speakers Ann Wright(Hawaii) Doug Rawlings(Maine) Ken Mayers(Santa Fe) and Paul Cox(San Francisco) from VFP Chapters across the US will focus on the original intent of VFP, founded 35 years ago, that members (and eventually chapters) were trusted (key concept) to act in the best interests of peace and VFP’s mission – that we were founded as a grassroots, bottom-up group of veterans and allies.
Some of us feel we are drifting away from that original concept. We feel that our strength lies in individuals and chapters taking initiative and as much as possible coordinating, sharing and working together towards common objectives. ,
It is with this important concept in mind – chapters coordinating, sharing and working together – that Ann, Doug, Ken and Paul will offer their insights. We’ll also make time for a robust discussion.
a. Anthony will discuss the Jan 22nd Action in NYC, on the day that Nuclear Weapons become illegal under International Law, a goal which we and our forebears have been working toward for over seven decades.
b. A group is being formed to address the upcoming NYC elections in 2021, establishing priority issues of concern to our members. Tarak and Pete will join Zool in this effort. Anyone who wishes to help, contact Zool at: zooltheartandpolitics@hotmail.com or Text him at 718-9647643
c. VFP NYC Chapter website.
- Upcoming Events & Actions
VFP Actions
a. Wednesday January 20, 2021 at 6:30pm – Zoom NYC Chapter 34 Meeting
VFP-Endorsed Actions
a. Friday December 18, 4:30pm every Friday – SAY THEIR NAMES Vigil at 96th St. and Broadway
b. Saturday December 19, 11am-12:30pm every Saturday – Vigil for Yemen at Tompkins Sq. Park.
c. January 22nd, 2021 – NYC Action to address Nuclear Weapons becoming illegal under International Law.
19:34:44 From Adrienne Kinne : The office, and Casey in particular, have done a lot to help support chapters and get chapters going again – I think every single Board member is a chapter member, leader, or has helped started their chapter
19:34:48 From Bob Keilbach : Agenda pt. 2 3. New Business
19:36:24 From Barry : Thanks Paul….. Barry
19:36:35 From Becky Luening : Can someone clarify how chapters have NOT been supported> or could be better supported?
19:38:31 From Doug Rawlings to Ellen Davidson(Direct Message) : Letters to The Wall
19:38:36 From Nick Mottern : Getting arrested in the snow at the White House; when was that.
19:38:38 From REPP : Veterans and Survivor March 2006 after Hurricane Katrina
19:38:39 From Nate to Ellen Davidson(Direct Message) : favorite – Mobile to New Orleans March. Where I met Ann W, Garett, George McAnanama, Ward Reilly, and many others
19:38:45 From tarak kauff to Ellen Davidson(Direct Message) : Question: From what I’ve heard VFP members back in the day put themselves on the line quite often. You went on peace delegations and did many member and chapter initiated and coordinated direct nonviolent actions. How valuable was that?
19:39:01 From Nate : favorite – Mobile to New Orleans March. Where I met Ann W, Garett, George McAnanama, Ward Reilly, and many others
19:39:03 From Adrienne Kinne : That would be very helpful, Becky
19:39:12 From Don Kimball : Ann, When you ordered me around at Standing Rock! 🙂
19:39:18 From John Grant : Ditto the march from mobile to New Orleans after Katrina.
19:39:33 From Leah Brown (she/her) : Bell Tower and Letters to the Wall
19:39:34 From Nate : and I met John Grant there too!
19:39:35 From Kenneth Mayers : My favorite – Delegations to Okinawa and reuniting with Shimabukuor Fumiko who had been a maid in the BOQ at Futemna when I was stations there in 1960
19:39:47 From Douglas H. Ryder : Ditto march to mobile
19:40:01 From George Mc : our Veterans & Survivors march along the Gulf March 2016. I met Ann at the Boston Convention in 2004.
19:40:01 From Becky Luening : While active with VFP Chapter 56 in Humboldt Bay, we co-organized days-long teach-in with several generations of war resisters including Charlie Liteky and Camilo Mejia, and two survivors of Kent State. It touched a lot of people.
19:40:49 From Herbert Hoffman : Initiating an essay contest for high school juniors and seniors in NM on the Costs of
19:40:52 From zool Zulkowitz : The first Sunnyside St. Pat’s for All parade after shock & awe.
19:40:59 From Becky Luening : That 2005 convention in Dallas is one of my most absolute favorites
19:41:04 From Barry : Being arrested in front of the White House during a beautiful snow fall after chaining ourselves to the fence surrounding the White House. I enjoyed watching Elliott Adams having the bike lock around his neck removed by the fire fighters and the paddy wagon ride with Daniel Ellsberg. Was a beautiful event.
19:41:29 From Nate : Yes that DC event was wonderful. Tarak a main organizer
19:41:33 From Barry : That was Barry Riesch who just told the above story
19:41:38 From John Spitzberg : Reading the names of the dead Viet Nam in NY and being jailed for doing so.
19:42:09 From Gene Marx : That’s easy. December 2010 White House Peace Bonus action when 135 or more participants were arrested. https://www.stopthesewars.org/2010/12/18/131-arrested-at-veteran-led-civil-resistance-against-wars-dec-16/
19:42:29 From tarak kauff : Hard to pick a favourite action. Dec. 16th, 2010 in DC at the White House (131 of us arrested opposing the wars) was certainly a high point. VFP delegations to Palestine, Jeju Island and Okinawa were incredible. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Ken Mayer’s and my close to 9 months in Ireland at the invitation of VFP Ireland.
19:42:55 From Douglas H. Ryder : standing rock
19:43:28 From George Mc : also Camp Casey with Ann keeping our shit together after I came home to NYC Dave Cline asked me to go back and hold the Ft until Elliott Adams could get back.
19:43:53 From marti guydowning : Chalking the names of the Iraqi dead (family with ages, occupation, name and dates) on the grounds of the SF Federal Building.
19:43:54 From Roger Ehrlich’s Phone : Many actions and interviews w/ Swords to Plowshares Belltower, taking smaller one to Sen. Tillis office before AUMF vote in freezing rain. BLM Asheville, RejectRaytheonAVL right now..
19:44:07 From Frank Toner : The Woodside All-Inclusive St. Patrick’;s day parade and the lower Manhattan annual Memorial Day parade are always great events.
19:44:14 From EllenB she/they stolen Piscataway land : The Iraq Water Project first delegation in 2000 to the Labanni water plant in southern Iraq. The “Bring Them Home Now” project with MFSO and others early during the 2003 and on part of the decades long Iraq war. Working with Dave Cline.
19:44:22 From VictorM (TPF) : There were dozens of impeachment articles against W that could have focused VFP efforts. Members of our chapter in the Lehigh Valley filed criminal complaints (3 at a time at local FBI offices) against Representative Dent for failure to oppose the outlaw invasion of Iraq (dereliction of duty, reckless endangerment, seditious conspiracy, obstruction of justice, etc.).
19:44:27 From Bob Keilbach : NYC Armistice Day Parade
19:45:04 From John Grant : The challenge is it’s both.
19:45:14 From Adrienne Kinne : It’s good to have these kinds of conversations as a whole organization – like during our convention and business meeting so everyone can participate
19:45:58 From Barry : For years there was no such thing as a National Project. Barry
19:46:47 From David : I see a resurgence of people looking for Peace
19:47:14 From marti guydowning : Did this invite go out to Facebook, or Instagram? There are almost no younger VFP here.
19:47:32 From leona Stucky : What about the receent report from Fort Hood? Is there something we did in the past or something we could do now that would not let the report die or the culture continue there or on other bases?
19:47:33 From Bob Keilbach : Yes
19:48:15 From Jill’s iPhone : NATO summit protest in Chicago with Iraq and Afghanistan veterans
19:48:36 From Barry to Ellen Davidson(Direct Message) : Should we have National Projects?
19:48:48 From Becky Luening : Marti, this is a chapter meeting
19:49:30 From Adrienne Kinne : Thank you for clarifying, because the outreach flyer made is seem that some have problems with the direction VFP is going now in terms of chapters not being supported
19:49:46 From Adrienne Kinne : And it would be helpful to know what those concerns are
19:49:49 From Ann Wright : On Fort Hood, yes, ask your Congress person to support the Vanessa Guillen bill in Congress!
19:50:05 From Hal M : Who was VFP at the NYC Easter Anti War march in April 1969. There were at least 1,000 active duty & vets leading that Easter Parade for Peace, many of whom wore VFP hats
19:50:58 From Vince Dijanich : Thank you to all the presenters, i learned a few things. i must go since I have another VFP meeting of which I am the zoom host. Can someone let me know how I can access the recording of the discussion. Contact me at vinniejdee@gmail.com
19:51:11 From Don Kimball : Yes Ann HR8270 and S4600
19:51:13 From Ann Wright : https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2020/09/16/i-am-vanessa-guillen-act-unveiled-to-reform-how-military-addresses-sexual-misconduct/
19:51:38 From Ellen Davidson : Vince, we are recording. Check back with us about where/how it will be available.
19:51:38 From Kenneth Mayers : @Hal — that VFP was a San Francisco Bay area organization that subsequently moved into VVAW. It was not THIS VFP
19:51:58 From leona Stucky : Have we ever worked with veterans who become police officers,
19:52:32 From zool Zulkowitz : I find it exciting that at so many of the demos, marches and events organized by other groups over the years, whether Camp Casey at Bush’s ranch or Camp Casey Union Square, United for Peace & Justice, International Action Center, CodePink, No War, No Warming!, NYC Free Assange, etc., etc. you will almost find a flag, a banner, and members of VFP!
19:53:11 From Don Kimball : And free Reality L. Winner!
19:53:45 From Adrienne Kinne : Supporting one another and treating one another decently
19:53:51 From Adrienne Kinne : Goes a long way
19:55:20 From marti guydowning : What about the For PEACE part?
19:55:49 From John Spitzberg : What is our membership number presently? Do the speakers have any thoughts to share about increasing membership?
19:56:05 From Ann Wright : The US government also stopped at the Mexican boarder the Pastors for Peace convoy of buses headed for Cuba. They blocked the border crossing for several days if I remember the story correctly, but finally the USG relented and off they went to the Mexico port for the transfer of the buses to ships to go to Cuba.
19:56:10 From leona Stucky : Have we ever worked with veterans who become police officers? It may be that veterans hold their training and ability to kill people over the heads of civilian cadets. Then it becomes an issue especially for civilian officers to kill someone to prove their worthiness as an officer. That creates a culture that makes the whole police department focused on proving themselves through violence that they can so without getting “caught”. Is that an issue that you think is real and should or could veterans for peace do something to change the culture of police violence?
19:56:28 From Kenneth Mayers to Ellen Davidson(Direct Message) : I’d like to say something about trust in members and chapters
19:56:41 From Chuck Searcy : The DC White House action was a highlight for me, in the snow (I was under-dressed for winter!), Dan Ellsberg and Chris Hedges and others speaking; and the Jeju-Okinawa initiatives in support of local people against military bases were major markers for me.
19:57:13 From Becky Luening : Yeah…what is this about, under the surface?
19:57:39 From Ann Wright : VFP trips to Viet Nam are very important to me.
19:58:18 From Ron Garner : Great meeting, Sorry I have to leave.
19:58:20 From djshea@hotmail.com : Ann, good suggestion, but I can’t say there is any one special event or action that is better than another. Just to mention a few, I was moved by Viet Nam Vet S. Brian Willson’s action at the Concord Naval Base where he was run over by an ammunition train. This was before VFP began but it moved me to be apart of the Sanctuary Movement for Central America Refugees, I became a part of a number of Labor & Peace Movements. When I finally joined VFP unofficially in 2004 and officially in 2006 and invited to a VFP Delegation to a Veterans Agent Orange in Hanoi Viet Nam by Dave Cline. This was definitely a memorable event, but so to the VFP Delegation December 15th to Jeju Island and Okinawa where we join local Peace Activists protesting the construction of Military Bases on their Island. Another memorable event was the VFP 2018 Viet Nam Tour for the 50th year Commemoration of the Tet Offensive and March 16th My Lai Massacre. I have been on two non-vfp Delegation to Venezuela but I spoke as a VFP Peace Veteran
19:58:35 From Becky Luening : Move the Money would be a GREAT national project.
19:58:59 From Becky Luening : Thank you, Susan
19:59:39 From GEORGIA WEVER : I remember adamant opinions that VETERANS FOR PEACE was not a service organization. Is that still an issue of concern?
20:00:00 From John Grant : NYC chapter’s Peace & Planet news is where things should go. We need to be less in the streets and more a voice of national influence in the culture.
20:00:09 From Nick Mottern : I’m sorry I have to leave the meeting to go on a zoom call addressing get-out-the-vote in Georgia. This has been a very valuable meeting, especially perhaps, for a new-comer to VFP. Thank you all, wishing you good health and peace for the holidays and in 2021.
20:00:32 From Nick Mottern : A newcomer like me.
20:01:37 From John Grant : Agree with Ken — but war has changed. Are we opposing past wars?
20:01:40 From Barry : Agree John. Barry
20:02:20 From Ann Wright : I too have to go—Wednesday afternoon vigil here in Honolulu.
20:02:40 From Barry : Good work All. Have another meeting. VFP Climate Crisis Group. Definitely a pressing issue. Barry
20:02:51 From Michael McPhearson : Thanks Ken!
20:03:00 From Michael McPhearson : Bye Anne!!!
20:03:17 From Don Kimball : Aloha Ann! Mele Kalikimaka!
20:03:20 From Alan Batten : Thanks Ken!!
20:05:24 From zool Zulkowitz : Love that little graphic piece. Will make a great bookmark (after I donate again). 3,346 and one zillion zoom calls. Tonight makes one zillion and one.
20:05:42 From tarak kauff : Response as far as concerns – I was on the board for six years and during that time I saw more of a focus on a centralised style top down approach, ie feeling the board had to set guidelines goals for VFP, etc. Many of us prefer a less centralised direction, the chapters and individual members “being trusted” as it says in the Statement of Purpose, to act in the best interests of the organization and world peace. So it’s a question of top-down or grassroots bottom up direction. There are other issues like agism coming up where seniors with tons of experience do not seem to be trusted or valued. An artificial separation seems to be made between the ages.
20:05:47 From Steve Saelzler, Detroit, chap. 74 : the many trips to close the SOA. my 2 arrests.
20:06:48 From John Grant : Good questions, Tara.
20:06:55 From marti guydowning : How did you historically reach out to minority veteran to join?
20:06:56 From John Grant : That’s Tarak.
20:07:29 From John Grant : Amen on that, Doug.
20:07:51 From zool Zulkowitz : I find that the best way to build grassroots, bottom up solidarity movements is to work with autonomous chapters that can then be coordinated laterally by a cooperative organization of autonomous chapters.
20:07:53 From Tom Gogan : Some of us would LOVE it if VFP took up Move the Money nationally — especially if that means working in broad local coalitions to push that idea, especially now that covid has revealed the extent of inequality/ damage to so many of our urban and rural communities while the military continues its massive spending on wars and military build-up.
20:08:30 From djshea@hotmail.com : There are all kinds of American Wars, you know them by their names, like American Revolutionary War, the Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korean War, Viet Nam War, Central America Wars, Iran War, Gulf War, Afghanistan War, Iraq War, Libyan War, Syrian War, so many which are armed conflicts between Nations, Terrorists, most are wars of aggression, few are ever self-defense.
Then there are those few think of as wars, they are Wars nonetheless, they are Class Wars, War on Black, BIPOC and First Nation Indigenous Peoples, there is the War on the Poor.
The weapons are austerity, targeting and disenfranching communities of color, predatory loans, racism, segregation, unequal access to education, jobs, healthcare, housing, evictions and food.
20:09:02 From Don Kimball : Bill Leonard was part of the Balkan effort with the children who were wounded there and came to the US for medical treatment.
20:09:24 From Becky Luening : It all comes back to the mission statement
20:09:31 From djshea@hotmail.com : We are work on Agent Orange and SOVA Save Our VA Healthcare from Privatization
20:09:55 From Becky Luening : Ruben Gomez
20:09:58 From Becky Luening : Sissy
20:10:03 From Vicki Ryder : Thank you, All, for continuting to walk the talk. I honor you and your commitment to peace. Good night!
20:10:25 From David : Wrap up? I think we are just getting started!!!
20:11:58 From djshea@hotmail.com : David, I agree let’s expend the time
20:12:05 From Tom Gogan : Good point, Zool.
20:13:02 From John Grant : Personally, I’ve always traveled to places as a journalist who happens to be a vet for peace. Avoided VFP trips. To me, this is the independence issue writ down to the individual. I think it was Groucho: I wouldn’t want to join a group who would have me.
20:14:00 From John Grant : Amen, Doug!
20:14:24 From Don Kimball : Go Groucho!
20:16:23 From George Mc : In NYC we have had a close relationship, with Black Veterans For Social Justice they are much smaller now. Pete Bronson of NYC Chapter is also a member of NABVETS, National Assoc. Of Black Veterans.
20:17:42 From George Mc : battery running very low will be signing off soon most probably.
20:17:46 From Douglas H. Ryder : Thank you, All, for continuting to walk the talk.
Peace forward Ryder
20:18:15 From John Grant : Thanks. New York chapter has its act together!
20:18:32 From David : Yes. Thank you all.
20:18:35 From Tom Gogan : Nice meeting .. great sharing . and terrific stories!
20:18:41 From Peggy Akers : thank you all❤️
20:18:51 From zool Zulkowitz : Kudos to all the speakers and especially to Susan and Ellen!
20:18:54 From Don Kimball : Nice job everyone!
20:19:19 From Hal M : I’m still in favor of VFP presence at VA facilities. Can’t think of a better place to meet vets.
20:19:22 From Mike Tork : thank you….nicely done.
20:19:28 From Leah Brown (she/her) : Thank you for inviting us all to this important meeting. And thank you to all the speakers!
20:19:58 From Don Kimball : Free Reality L. Winner!
20:20:01 From David : Who is the person to contact of MOVE THE MONEY?????
20:20:03 From George Mc : Good meeting it seems our Friend Joe Jamison is spreading the word on Move The Money
20:20:21 From Ellen Davidson : Tom GOgan is the Move the Money guy. Tom, please put your email in chat
20:20:35 From Gene Marx : Thanks to NYC and everyone for a great discussion. Let’s do it again and let’s hear it for a not-so-terrible 2021.
20:21:00 From Tom Gogan : Just write to movethemoney.nyc@gmail.com for more info !
20:21:04 From Ellen Davidson : Move the money, tom gogan, tgogie611@aol.com,
20:21:08 From zool Zulkowitz : NYC Free Assange is organizing a demo at the British Consulate on Sunday, January 3rd. The day before the British court decision on Julian’s extradition to the US. NYCFreeAssange.org for exact time and location information. Thanks to Tarek for helping us with a banner! (Marty will be in touch with the graphic by tomorrow evening.)
20:21:09 From Don Kimball : Peace and Planet rules!
20:21:15 From John Spitzberg : We are working on keeping the VA from privatization.
20:21:18 From djshea@hotmail.com : Thanks All
20:21:36 From zool Zulkowitz : Can we all get up and dance now?!
20:22:46 From David : WOW brings back some memories Country Joe and the Fish
20:23:09 From Gene Marx : Good times.
20:23:11 From leona Stucky : Thanks, Ken, for letting me know about this. It is always important to know more of the history and to see an active and large chapter at work. I hope you will hold the questions I wrote about as things to bring up in our chapter meetings. Thanks!
20:23:20 From Hal M : Hey y’all this IS a sing alone!
20:23:21 From David : Music to soothe the soul
20:23:41 From zool Zulkowitz : Woopie! We’re all going to protest warm, warming, injustice until we goin’ a die!
20:24:10 From Tom Gogan : Once again, just write to movethemoney.nyc@gmail.com — one of us will respond!
20:24:12 From tarak kauff : Beautiful, Susan. Thanks and thanks everyone.
20:24:42 From Kenneth Mayers : Sing, laugh, and cry!
20:24:47 From Hal M : I’m having lunch with Barry Melton next week. He will be stoked to hear he helped play out this meeting!
20:25:13 From David : Motion for adjorment
20:25:14 From Hal M : Thanks for doing this!
20:25:16 From John Spitzberg : Thanks for this meeting. Very interesting.
20:25:26 From David : Happy Holidyas