Departments
Veterans Day: A day for peace or a day for war?
by Ann Wright, Colonel, US Army Reserves (Retired), AfterDowningStreet.org
November 14, 2007
Could you ever imagine that Veterans Day was originally enacted as a day for world peace? Not by the way veterans who stand for peace are treated in Veterans Day ceremonies!
Yet, according to Veterans Affairs website, Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was originally a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I and to honor the need for world peace. When it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926 to honor the end of World War I, the US Congress stated:
Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and
Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations;
In 1938 the US Congress codified its earlier resolution by legislation naming November 11 as Armistice Day and dedicating the day “to the cause of world peace.””
In 1954, after World War II and the Korean War, Congress -- at the urging of the veterans service organizations -- amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars and a national holiday still dedicated to “the cause of world peace.” Yet, now we have many Veterans Day organizers who want to silence “peace” on Veterans Day.
This past weekend we “celebrated” Veterans Day, a day for all Veterans and a day for “world peace”, or so I thought, until I went to Long Beach, California. Like so many aspects of our military, events surrounding Veterans Day have been privatized. The City of Long Beach has given Veterans Day to a private group, a group that decides what veterans can participate in a Veterans’ Day parade.
The private organizers in Long Beach said that veterans groups that are against the war and are for peace were not allowed to march in the parade as they did not have the proper “spirit.” Yet, the legislation enacting Veterans Day states that “the cause of world peace” is the goal of Veterans Day. Private citizens who have never served in the military are authorized by the City of Long Beach to decide what Veterans Day stands for and which veterans are the “real” veterans, the veterans who meet their agenda.
In another strange anomaly about Veterans Day, in Santa Barbara, California, members of the Veterans for Peace chapter have had to carry their discharge papers in order to march in the city’s Veterans Day parade. The same requirement was not made for Veterans of Foreign Wars or American Legion or any other veterans group participating in the parade.
This year the Boston police arrested eighteen members of Veterans for Peace when they refused to move from the front of the podium at City Hall Plaza when parade officials wouldn't allow them to carry signs opposing the war in Iraq while marching in Boston's Veterans Day parade. Some of the protesters wore gags over their mouths, which they said symbolized the fact that they were permitted to march in the parade but not exercise their right to free speech. According to the Boston Globe, Nate Goldschlag, a veteran standing in front of the podium said: "Our free speech and civil rights are being abridged here. We should be allowed to express our opposition to this war."
In Atlanta, the Veterans for Peace Chapter and the American Veterans for Equal Rights Georgia (AVER), a gay and lesbian veterans group, had their applications to participate in the Parade initially denied with the comment from the parade organizers: "Application denied. Failure to follow guidelines in previous year.” Last year the VFP Atlanta chapter had a truck with a banner that said, "BRING THEM HOME... NOW!" The truck also had a banner with a picture of Lt. Ehren Watada, the first officer to refuse to deploy to Iraq because he believed the invasion of Iraq was illegal. After first denying their applications, the association in charge of the Atlanta Veterans Day parade later said the groups could march but could display any messages of peace, in the case of VFP, or show any "public displays of affection," in the case of AVER. "This is not a political parade. We don't allow anyone out there to promote ideas. There is no agenda allowed," Melvin Myers, President of the Parade Association, told Atlanta Progressive News.
In the Denver this year, the local Veterans for Peace chapter that had walked in the parade last year, was told it was not invited back because its members were against the war. The day before the parade, a representative of the Denver United Veterans Council, the group organizing the city of Denver Veterans Day parade said there had been a misunderstanding and issued a late invitation to the VFP chapter. Frank Bessinger, a member of the Veterans for Peace group, said "We didn't want to have to fight to get into the parade, we didn't want to have to protest. We're a veteran's group and we just wanted to be in the Veterans Day Parade."
We veterans know that veterans have always had a variety of opinions on policies of every administration. During the Vietnam War, many, if not most of those who served in Vietnam, disagreed with the United States invasion and occupation of Vietnam. Today, many of those who have served in Iraq disagree with the invasion and occupation of Iraq, but despite their disagreement they served. Over 70 percent of the American people disagree with the war in Iraq, so why should veterans who also disagree with the war not be allowed to march in a Veterans Day parade?
City leaders should not give private organizations the right to deny veterans who believe in peace a place in a parade on a national veterans holiday created for peace!
Next year, we should put pressure on our city councils early to ensure the right of all veterans organizations to march in Veterans Day parades, a day dedicated to peace.
---
Ann Wright served 29 years in the US military (13 years on active duty and 16 years in the US Army Reserves. She also was a US diplomat for 16 years and served in Nicaragua, Grenada, Somalia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Sierra Leone, Micronesia and Mongolia. She helped reopen the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan in December, 2001. She resigned the US diplomatic corps in March, 2003 in opposition to the war in Iraq. She is the co-author of “Dissent: Voices of Conscience” (www.voicesofconscience.com) that will be available in January, 2008.
|
 |
Recent National Issues Articles
Medicare for all via H.R. 676 December 28, 2007 Stephen Crockett
Unions passing resolutions to honor, assist folksinger/storyteller Bruce "Utah" Phillips December 28, 2007 George Mann
Hate us for our WHAT? December 27, 2007 David Swanson
Lies, injustice and the capitalist way: we're on the highway to hell -- don’t stop us! December 24, 2007 Jason Miller
Who I give to December 23, 2007 Paul Rogat Loeb
Rep. Weiner joins call for Cheney impeachment hearings December 21, 2007 David Swanson
Hillary as hawk December 19, 2007 Paul W. Lovinger
Dick Cheney's fondest pipe dream, revisited December 19, 2007 Paul Rogat Loeb
Crooked timber December 17, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
Exclusive interview with syndicated columnist Bob Koehler December 10, 2007 Joan Brunwasser, Voting Integrity Editor, OpEdNews
Piano wire puppeteers: the Constitution, media and Dennis Kucinich December 9, 2007 Sean Penn
Enough heroes to fill a book December 9, 2007 David Swanson
The Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act: A tutorial in Orwellian newspeak December 2, 2007 Robert Weitzel, AfterDowningStreet.org
Institutionalized glorification of our greed and gluttony: Thanksgiving reflections of an anti-capitalist November 23, 2007 Jason Miller
Twenty thousand protest at Ft. Benning: eleven face federal criminal trials November 21, 2007 Bill Quigley
Pelosi, Cheney, and the fertilized eggs November 21, 2007 David Swanson
God bless the Senate Republicans November 19, 2007 Mike Ferner
Mentes Peligrosas: confession of an American thought criminal November 15, 2007 Jason Miller
Veterans Day: A day for peace or a day for war? November 14, 2007 Ann Wright, Colonel, US Army Reserves (Retired), AfterDowningStreet.org
The reverse shock doctrine November 13, 2007 David Swanson
Tasered Florida student on Palast Report Today on Air America Radio: It’s not the volts, it’s the votes November 13, 2007 Zach Roberts
Giuliani and Clinton taste occupation in Iowa November 12, 2007 Mike Ferner, AfterDowningStreet.org
Used razor blades November 9, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
Peace and impeachment in Los Angeles November 7, 2007 David Swanson
It's time to impeach Cheney November 5, 2007 Congressman Dennis Kucinich, special to www.ImpeachCheney.org
Why Kucinich should concede nothing November 5, 2007 David Swanson
Burn, baby, burn -- the California celebrity fires October 31, 2007 Greg Palast
Shouting at the devil: “Fuck you, capitalism!” October 30, 2007 Jason Miller
Address by Mayor Ross C. “Rocky” Anderson on October 27, 2007 October 29, 2007 Mayor Ross C. “Rocky” Anderson
Depleted uranium and depleted democracy October 27, 2007 David Swanson
The National Lawyers Guild opposes the confirmation of Michael Mukasey as Attorney General of the United States October 24, 2007 Marjorie Cohn and Heidi Boghosian
Pre-existing conditions October 19, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
Reflections on the passing of our people of AIM October 15, 2007 Ben Carnes
Making our restrooms safe for democracy October 12, 2007 Paul Rogat Loeb
A special need October 7, 2007 Lucinda
Do we know who attacked America on 9/11? October 7, 2007 Pete Johnson
Edwards-Obama, go Edwama October 6, 2007 Paul Rogat Loeb
Preempting the next war October 2, 2007 Paul Rogat Loeb
Acquitted! October 2, 2007 Mike Ferner and Tom Brejcha
Louisiana, Iraq, impeachment, & protest music! September 30, 2007 Cynthia McKinney
Presidential candidates diverge September 29, 2007 David Swanson
This hallowed landmark September 27, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
Free speech takes a capitol beating September 24, 2007 Mike Ferner
Kerry's sense of timing September 20, 2007 David Swanson
Student tasered for Armed Madhouse question to Kerry September 19, 2007 Greg Palast
September 11: relevant questions September 18, 2007 Ramzy Baroud
September 11: the epitome of American arrogance September 14, 2007 Lucinda Marshall
The military draft: a moral abomination September 11, 2007 Michael Boldin
Wild weather creates chances for political progress September 10, 2007 Paul Rogat Loeb
The prerequisite for salvation September 6, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
If not now, when? General Strike on 9/11/2007 September 6, 2007 Michael Collins
US Arabs and Muslims: the search for common identity September 5, 2007 Ramzy Baroud
"I will salute no more forever" September 5, 2007 Mike Ferner
Presence of mind September 1, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
America needs a guarantor September 1, 2007 Pablo Ouziel
New Orleans: Not lost to a hurricane, but by government betrayal September 1, 2007 Mitchel Cohen
American nightmare: Gonzales "wrong and illegal and unethical" August 30, 2007 Greg Palast
Secret to forcing compliance with subpoenas August 30, 2007 David Swanson
"They wanted them poor niggers out of there." -- New Orleans two years after August 30, 2007 Greg Palast
The 18 percent Congress August 28, 2007 David Swanson
Responsible investment: Gates Foundation and the California Model August 27, 2007 Paul Rogat Loeb
Ella Baker, Presente! August 27, 2007 Ted Glick
The nanny state August 24, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
Hurricane George: how the White House drowned New Orleans August 24, 2007 Greg Palast
National Lawyers Guild calls on Congress to repeal warrantless domestic surveillance August 16, 2007 Marjorie Cohn and Heidi Boghosian
Where Congressman Jerrold Nadler stands on impeachment August 16, 2007 Jacob Park
An appeal for the hurricanes Katrina and Rita International Tribunal August 15, 2007 Cynthia McKinney
It really is a Democratic Congress August 13, 2007 David Swanson
DaFazio, Homeland Secuirty Committee leaders again refused access to continuity of government information August 13, 2007 Peter DeFazio
Disciples of Yossarian August 9, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
Commenting on the black commentator August 9, 2007 David Swanson
Failure to stop Bush is not a victimless crime August 8, 2007 David Swanson
Un-American intimidation tactics shall not silence Muslims August 7, 2007 Ahmad Al-Akhras
Senator Dodd thinks you're stupid August 7, 2007 David Swanson
Some thoughts on progressives organizing August 5, 2007 Robert A. Letcher, PhD
Tax withholding for an end to tyranny August 2, 2007 James R. Campbell
34 Congress members for impeachment August 2, 2007 David Swanson
The other lost war July 29, 2007 Reverend Jesse L. Jackson
Bush fulfills his grandfather's dream July 28, 2007 David Swanson
Of Marx, Christ, and the persecution of radicals: how will humanity survive the capitalist threat? July 27, 2007 Jason Miller
Race is the tripwire for the progressive movement: John Conyers and impeachment July 27, 2007 Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr.
Caged priest July 26, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
Another Congress member backs impeachment July 26, 2007 David Swanson
Getting impeachment wrong July 25, 2007 David Swanson
Some thoughts on progressives organizing July 24, 2007 Robert A. Letcher, PhD
Observations of a political editor at large in Puerto Rico July 24, 2007 David S. Lewis
Conyers: Three more Congress members and I'll impeach July 22, 2007 David Swanson
Impeach now or face the end of Constitutional democracy July 21, 2007 Paul Craig Roberts
Slaves to Christ and compassion unite: free markets must prevail July 16, 2007 Jason Miller
Bush has photos of Pelosi July 16, 2007 David Swanson
John Edwards' fortress July 16, 2007 David Swanson
Governor of Massachusetts favors impeachment July 14, 2007 Robert Feuer
The secular God July 12, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
Want to impeach Cheney? Think July 23rd July 10, 2007 David Swanson
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of personal gratification: “Here there be monsters” July 6, 2007 Jason Miller
CNN and 4 Dems opt to skew debate July 5, 2007 David Swanson
John Perkins: jerk, con-man, shill July 5, 2007 Greg Palast
Strike the root! July 5, 2007 Sheila Samples
Fourteen congress members for impeachment July 3, 2007 David Swanson
Commuting Scooter July 3, 2007 David Swanson
Rev. Jackson calls on democrats to put impeachment back on the table July 2, 2007 Reverend Jesse L. Jackson
New NSA whistleblower speaks July 1, 2007 David Swanson
Impeachment in Kennebunkport July 1, 2007 David Swanson
Where is our conscience? June 29, 2007 Reverend Jesse L. Jackson
The violence interrupters June 27, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
Peak suburbia June 27, 2007 James Kunstler
Kucinich comes to take back America June 26, 2007 David Swanson
Curbing the imperial presidency June 25, 2007 David Swanson
Randi Rhodes and Greg Palast hunt Giuliani's favorite vulture June 25, 2007 Greg Palast
Overgrown kids, unshackled ids, and the death of the superego June 25, 2007 Jason Miller
Hip hop comes to take back America June 20, 2007 David Swanson
Barack Obama takes over the take back America conference June 19, 2007 David Swanson
Is this heaven? June 18, 2007 Mike Palecek
The tears of a clone: Conyers closes in on Karl and his Rove-bots June 18, 2007 Greg Palast
Obama says he'll use force unilaterally to protect "vital interests" June 15, 2007 David Swanson
Sahl’s last punchline June 13, 2007 Paul Krassner
Father's Day, peace, and masculinity June 11, 2007 David Swanson
Begging your pardon, Guvnor June 8, 2007 Steve Fournier
Rep. Jerrold Nadler: President and Attorney General are engaged in a criminal conspiracy June 8, 2007 David Swanson
The conscience of Los Alamos June 7, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
Ritter's repudiation ritual June 5, 2007 David Swanson
Iraq, cowboys, and the enormity of 18 months June 4, 2007 David Swanson
Rep. John Conyers backs impeachment May 30, 2007 David Swanson
Is our peace activists learning? May 29, 2007 David Swanson
The goods on Goodling and the keys to the kingdom May 29, 2007 Greg Palast
Dancing with fear May 24, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
What do these crimes have in common? May 24, 2007 David Swanson
The haircut that won't die May 20, 2007 Paul Rogat Loeb
Detroit City Council votes to impeach Bush, Cheney May 18, 2007 DAWSON BELL and MARISOL BELLO, Detroit Free Press
War-pimping with a smile: of American exceptionalism, apple pie, and moral rot May 18, 2007 Jason Miller
U.S. space first strike program well underway May 16, 2007 Bruce K. Gagnon
Exclusive: Rep. Maxine Waters speaks out for impeachment May 15, 2007 David Swanson
Naked neo-cons: Perjury and the big, bad Wolfowitz May 11, 2007 Greg Palast
Rescuing the Democrats May 11, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
Mother's Day Proclamation of 1870 May 8, 2007 Julie Ward Howe
Hillary's mother-f'ing tour business May 6, 2007 Greg Palast
The lethal media silence on Kent State's smoking guns May 6, 2007 Bob Fitrakis & Harvey Wasserman
The Crusaders May 3, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
18 missing inches in New Orleans May 2, 2007 Greg Palast
A whoring she will go May 2, 2007 Jason Miller
Pelosi, Conyers, the people, and impeachment May 1, 2007 David Swanson
Don’t fire Gonzales April 28, 2007 Greg Palast
Reflections on the VA Tech massacre April 24, 2007 Lee Thompson
Star Wars test set for Monday April 24, 2007 Bruce K. Gagnon
Rethinking American culture April 22, 2007 Herndon L. Davis
USA: cornering the market on morality April 21, 2007 William Blum interviewed by Jason Miller, including satirical commentary by Miller
Season of grief April 19, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
The accomplices: Sundance George and Butch Reid and the Virginia Tech massacre April 19, 2007 Greg Palast
"I hope it's your family members that die" - US Representative Dana Rohrabacker April 19, 2007 Ann Wright
Kucinich says Clinton and Obama continue to vote for war funding April 18, 2007 Dennis J. Kucinich
Please God, deliver us from the banality of evil April 18, 2007 Jason Miller
Vonnegut dies without a country or religion April 12, 2007 David Swanson
The anti-empire report: Some things you need to know before the world ends April 7, 2007 William Blum
Heroes, sung and unsung April 7, 2007 David Swanson
Ten states Introduce Impeachment April 7, 2007 David Swanson
Devil weed April 5, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
Veto this March 30, 2007 David Swanson
Symbolism and duct tape March 30, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
How's the Progressive Caucus progressing? March 28, 2007 David Swanson
Surviving at the pleasure of the president March 27, 2007 Sheila Samples
John and Elizabeth March 27, 2007 Susan Estrich
U.S. Attorney firings exposes rough justice “voter fraud” prevention equals voter suppression March 27, 2007 Michael Collins
Boycott the Democratic Party wing of the War Party March 26, 2007 Chuck Zlatkin
Let Rove lie March 26, 2007 David Swanson
A measure of morality in Congress March 26, 2007 David Swanson
Why the progressive caucus should vote no on war money March 23, 2007 David Swanson
It all started with an American Taliban March 20, 2007 David Swanson
The barking of the dog is trumping the wagging of the same March 20, 2007 Tom Luffman
Forgiveness, my final soul-ution to what ails America: the search for the heart of New Orleans, part IV March 19, 2007 Dave Lewis
Fraudulent firings March 19, 2007 Paul Rogat Loeb
How about a little democracy for a change? March 17, 2007 Joel Hirschhorn interviewed by Jason Miller
Impeachment may well be the only remedy March 16, 2007 Rep. Dennis Kucinich
From Lawn-Boys to B-2’s: America’s penchant for mowing ‘em down March 15, 2007 Mike Palecek interviewed by Jason Miller
Obstruction of justice March 15, 2007 Susan Estrich
Subpoena Dick March 10, 2007 David Swanson
What's wrong with David Obey March 10, 2007 David Swanson
It's time for detention, Ms. Coulter March 10, 2007 John Ireland
Bush's new U.S. Attorney a criminal? March 9, 2007 Greg Palast
BBC Television had exposed 2004 voter attack scheme by appointee Griffin, a Rove aide. March 7, 2007 Greg Palast
Count the quagmires March 7, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
New York Times spins health coverage opinion March 3, 2007 David Swanson
The Employee Free Fire Zone Act March 3, 2007 David Swanson
Leaders don't kill people... March 3, 2007 Michael Boldin
Testimony for impeachment hearing March 2, 2007 David Swanson
Hold the mushrooms March 1, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
Texans will PROTEST the appearance of Karl Rove on Tuesday Feb. 27 in San Marcos, Texas February 27, 2007 Susan Cook
Apologies from Clinton, we don't need February 27, 2007 Tim Copeland
Defining and refining the Democratic message February 26, 2007 Stephen Crockett
Impeach07 campaign launched February 24, 2007 David Swanson
Stale glory February 22, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
Remarks at Emergency Impeachment Conference in New York City, February 17, 2007 February 22, 2007 David Swanson
Conyers and the impeachment table February 18, 2007 David Swanson
The tyranny of the minority: Jim Crow and the counter-majoritarian difficulty February 14, 2007 Gabriel J. Chin and Randy Wagner
Feith based intelligence February 11, 2007 David Swanson
Sex and torture in America February 11, 2007 David Swanson
Preventing an Iran war -- A preemptive petition February 11, 2007 Paul Rogat Loeb
The science of evil and its use for political purposes February 9, 2007 Carolyn Baker
Rightwingers attacking war supporters February 7, 2007 David Swanson
How a bill becomes a signing statement February 7, 2007 David Swanson
Human Rights Campaign salutes Black History Month February 5, 2007 Human Rights Campaign
Alan Haber's perspective on developments in MDS February 1, 2007 Multiple authors
Live blogging from Congressional Progressive Caucus Committee Chairs Conference February 1, 2007 David Swanson
Live blogging from House Judiciary Committee Hearings on Bush's Signing Statements February 1, 2007 David Swanson
Lobbying for impeachment: remarks at United for Peace and Justice Pre-Lobby Day Event on Jan. 28, 2007 February 1, 2007 David Swanson
Chairman Conyers puts Bush abuse of power `On the table' January 30, 2007 Dave Lindorff
An interview with Jason Miller January 30, 2007 Carolyn Baker
US military kept hostage to political abuse of power January 30, 2007 Charles Mercieca, Ph.D.
Don't fear a filibuster January 29, 2007 Paul Rogat Loeb
Backbone Brigade captured on C-Span delivering giant spine to Congress for peace & accountability January 29, 2007 Backbone Brigade
Peace is Possible – Peace is Imperative January 27, 2007 Reverend Jesse L. Jackson
Don't let Dick Cheney get me! January 27, 2007 David Swanson
Heaven waited January 26, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
Follow Pelosi or follower Pelosi? January 23, 2007 David Swanson
Paying for protection January 23, 2007 Gene C. Gerard
Huddle up! January 23, 2007 David Swanson
'Un-inventing nukes' January 22, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
Truth is speaking….Is power listening? January 20, 2007 Carolyn Baker interviewed by Jason Miller
A storm of denial January 17, 2007 Paul Rogat Loeb
Man fuel: Is it in you? Of savage imperialism, pigskin monopolists, and intellectual emasculation January 15, 2007 Jason Miller
Martin Luther King, Jr: Visionary, Revolutionary January 15, 2007 Ted Glick
If Beal Street Could Talk – Part 2 January 15, 2007 David Swanson
A message from Leonard Peltier January 11, 2007 Leonard Peltier
A different story January 10, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney makes the case for impeachment January 7, 2007 David Swanson, Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney
Democrats' open-mic press conferences January 5, 2007 David Swanson
Celebrity carnage January 5, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
Gerald Ford's failure of nerve January 5, 2007 Paul Rogat Loeb
Crocs, Costco and the Mindful Shopper January 2, 2007 Joan Brunwasser, Voting Integrity Editor, OpEdNews
Live spring January 2, 2007 Robert C. Koehler
Read National Issues Articles by Year: 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 |