 Veterans for Peace
Rachel Corrie Chapter 109
Olympia
WA
Veterans Working Together for Peace
& Justice Through Non-violence. Wage Peace!
Veterans for Peace, Inc. (VFP) is a
non-profit 501(c)(3) educational and humanitarian organization dedicated to the abolishment of war.
Rachel
Corrie FAQs Myths & Facts
Support the troops, cut the
funding for war, use the money to bring them
home now, and take care of them when they get here!
4483 died in Iraq (http://icasualties.org/Iraq/index.aspx)
1852 died in Afghanistan ( http://icasualties.org/oef/ )
1,421,933
Iraqi Deaths (
http://www.JustForeignPolicy.org )
Deaths,
Wounded,
and Medical
Evacuations
due to illness or injury are more 90,000.
454,000 veteran patients from the two wars
in VA healthcare
2 POW/MIA
(http://imagineaworldof.blogspot.com/2009/10/honoring-fallen-us-military-kia-iraq.html
) Webpage
Total Cost of Wars Since
2001
Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-TALK
GI Rights Hotline
1-877-447-4487
The Soldiers Project Northwest Email northwest@thesoldiersproject.org Call (206) 290-1035
Veterans for
Peace Hour Videos
Statement
Of Purpose
We,
having dutifully served our nation, do hereby affirm our greater
responsibility to serve the cause of world peace. To this end we will
work, with others
(a)
Toward increasing public awareness of the costs of war
(b) To restrain our government from intervening, overtly and covertly,
in the internal affairs of other nations
(c) To end the arms race and to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear
weapons
(d)
To
abolish war as an instrument of national policy.
(e) To seek justice for veterans and
victims of war
To
achieve these goals, members of Veterans For Peace pledge to use
non-violent means and to maintain an organization that is both
democratic and open with the understanding that all members are trusted
to act in the best interests of the group for the larger purpose of
world peace.
We urge
all people who share this vision to join us.
Membership
Application Form (English)
- Welcome Information from VFP109
- VFP 109 Video Programs "The Veterans Hour"
- VFP109 Membership Kit (approved
3/19/2005) .pdf document
-
Friendship Village
- Viet Nam new
-
Scholarships
for Iraq Veterans
- National
VFP Homepage
-
National
Office Staff
-
Veterans For Peace Newsletter Members
also receive the newsletter in print
- Other
VFP Chapter Websites
-
Use
and Display of the American Flag by Robert Smith,
VFP109
- VFP109 By-Laws
-
VFP Products
Books
-
Arlington Northwest Iraq War Memorial 2008
Pictures by Bert Whitlock
-
Chapter
109 Minutes
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VFP109
Expense Form for Projects (Excel Spreadsheet)
VFP109
Project Submission Forms Word
.pdf
-
VFP109
RCC Discussion Forum
- You don't have to register or sign in, and you can choose to receive
email for newly posted messages -- just click the Subscribe button when
you get there.
-
Free
Psychological Counseling for Military Service Members and
their Families -
(206) 290-1035
We are a group of licensed mental health professionals who
offer free psychological treatment to military service
members (active duty, National Guard, Reserves and veterans)
who have served or who expect to serve in OEF and/or OIF. We
also provide treatment to members of their families and
other loved ones. Treatment is conducted in our private
offices. Our services are entirely confidential and do not
report to either the DOD or to the VA.
The Soldiers Project NW provides counseling for individuals,
couple and families as well as group therapy. They are not
affiliated with any governmental agency and offer the
flexibility and confidentiality available in private
clinical practice. Email:
soldiersprojectnw@yahoo.com As clinicians in
private practice, they provide alternative treatment options
outside of the military system. Soldiers Project NW is able
to respond to any request for help within 24 hours.
-
Soldiers Project NW
(Video) Randi Jensen and
Dorothy Melcer, volunteer mental health therapists with
Soldiers Project NW share their life-saving work. They
represent a group of licensed mental health professionals
who offer free psychological treatment to military service
members (active duty, National Guard, Reserves and veterans)
who have served or who expect to serve in the conflicts in
Iraq or Afghanistan.
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The
PTSD Help Network
by Richard E. O'Dell
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Military Spouse and Family Assistance Programs
Learn more about the education benefits the Dept.
of VA, and each of the service's have to offer.
-
Winter Soldier Archive
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/3/17/winter_soldier_us_vets_active_duty
Recorded
Testimony
-
Winter Soldier Northwest
Pictures by Al McCleese
Pictures by Bert Whitlock
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Soldier Say No!
is dedicated to those Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and
Airpersons who refuse to fight in illegal wars or to commit
war crimes.
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Courage
to Resist
The efforts of Courage to
Resist are primarily focused on supporting public GI
resisters
-
GI Coffee House
YouTube video;
Barista-G.I.'s
Coffee Strong
-
www.ourjourneytosmile.com
There are a handful of children in Afghanistan who are
challenging us to think a new way. They live amidst
generations of war. They have lost their families to
violence. Their daily lives are filled with the reality of
greed, bribery, and dishonesty and still they are deciding
to live their young lives with with a smile for the world
and peace and compassion in their hearts. Check out their
website. Check out their message. And then ask of yourself
and others, what can you do to stand in solidarity with 13
year old children who dare to ask for THE RECONCILIATION OF
CIVIL HEARTS ~ Terry Zander
- Peace Talks Radio a series about peacemaking and nonviolent conflict resolution
Welcome Back from Afghanistan! Larry Kirschner, Jody Mackey, and Douglas Mackey, members of VFP109, have returned from three weeks in Afghanistan where they shared messages of peace and teaching biosand water filter construction. Video: Peace and Clean Water for Afghanistan
You can read the project’s “Clean Water Diary” at http://globaldaysoflistening.org/pages/CleanWaterProjectDiary
Project RENEW It is estimated that 350,000 tons of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) remains scattered throughout Vietnam from the war that ended in 1975, resulting in more than 1,000 people being wounded or killed each year. In an effort to reduce the threat of these lethal remnants of the Vietnam War, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund initiated Project RENEW, a cooperative effort between the Memorial Fund and the Quang Tri Province People's Committee, aimed at Restoring the Environment and Neutralizing theEffects of War.
Breaking News
Statement in Solidarity with the Olympia Food Co-op (VFP109RCC endorsed statement passed at Chapter Mtg 01/15/2012)
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At the Speed of Foot More than simply a hiking story, At the Speed of Foot, explores the events and ideas that led MarkFleming, VFP109, to the Appalachian Trail. Along with the mountain, forests, small towns and other hikers, Mark reflects on his experience as a combat veteran of Vietnam. Anger and guilt contrast with the often subtle, sometimes spectacular, landscape that passes under Mark’s feet. Release Flyer |
The Trial of Bradley Manning - Rule of Law or Rule of Retribution by Ann Wright
Bradley Manning Trial In Depth: Notes from a Courtroom Viewer in Bradley Manning’s Article 32 Hearing
In Iraq, peace at last op-ed by Tom Hayden
Keith Olbermann - Veterans For Peace Board member Rumsfeld protest Boston
Homefront 911: Military Family Monologues Host Marvin Simmons of Northwest Veterans for Peace spoke with Stacy Bannerman, creator and producer of "Homefront 911: Military Family Monologues," a project of the Sanctuary for Veterans and Families. Also on the program are Tamara Rosenleaf, who wrote two of the monologues, and Belle Landau of the Returning Veterans Project. This program features moving readings of the military family monologues. (KBOO - Portland OR)0
Kucinich to Occupy Wall Street: Don't Forget the War Video
Listening to Victims of War - Afghan
Youth Peace Volunteers
(Global Day of Listening)
دوستدار شما Thank you for hearing our voice of
peace, as being heard is a breakthrough for silence.
( DostdAr shumA Yours lovingly ), Hakim in Afghanistan
On behalf of Abdulai, Zekerullah, Abdul Ali, Raziq,
Lala, Faiz, Mohd Jan, Mohd Hussein and Ali Mohd
http://ourjourneytosmile.com/blog
"Soldier Stories: Paths to Healing and Return"
Videos (started June 25th)
“Soldier Stories”, a series of programs
produced by the Rachel Corrie Chapter 109 Veterans for
Peace, offer veterans the opportunity to tell their stories,
to speak about their combat experience and how that
experience has and continues to influence their lives.
Equally
important, “Soldier Stories” informs the viewer about what
the nation asks when it sends men and women into combat.
The viewer will learn about the
choices humans must make in war.
They will learn, too, that the
war comes home with the warrior and the costs continue well
after the guns fall silent.
If you would like us
to tell your story, contact us at
mills.dennis@comcast.net
Veterans Advocate Counseling
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Fridays
1000-1400
Coffee Strong
15109 Union Ave SW Lakewood WA 98498 (Exit 122 from Hwy5) |
Trained veteran advocates provide free VA benefits
counseling for active duty personnel and veterans so they can file claims for the
veterans with the VA. Mark Fleming is an accredited independent VA Claims
agent who will help file appeals, present oral arguments in person at
the VA Regional Office with the veteran. In the event the case is denied at
the local level, learn to prepare for continuing appeals at the DC level, at
the VA board of Veterans Appeals and if necessary,1file an appeal with the
U. S. Court of Appeals for Veterans (three steps down from the Supreme
Court).
Bring your DD214 and all your records with you.
(Resources)
VFP109, the Rachel Corrie Chapter in Olympia WA, produced a short PSA to alert active duty and veterans about their VA benefits. Every Friday, Dennis Mills, Lena Swanson, and Mark Fleming provide counseling at Coffee Strong which is a GI-owned anti-war pro-soldier coffee house near the gates of JBLM. We are beginning to see more senior enlisted personnel seeking help as well as many in medical hold. We want to encourage other VFP chapters to have independent accredited VA Claims Agents assist the growing numbers of those seeking help. VFP109 appreciates having a local access TV station, TCTV, where we can produce monthly programs.
http://blip.tv/veterans-hour/veterans-benefits-assistance-psa-5689519
What Veterans Need To Know To Successfully
File VA Claims
http://blip.tv/file/4860617
Events
Calendar
Veteran
Benefits Counseling
Fridays 10-2 pm at Coffee Strong. Active duty and veterans
are encouraged to drop in and learn what VA benefits to
which they may be entitled.
Veteran Advocate
Training The goal
is to train students how to pass the test for the title of
Independent Agent
in order to receive accreditation from the U. S. Department
of Veterans Affairs. Contact Mark Fleming
rezdog02@hotmailcom
for details.
2012 Schedule for
Veterans Hour on TCTV
(Channel 22 in Olympia)
Monday 5 pm and Thursday
8 pm.
U.S. Congressman Dennis Kucinich
spoke on
“The True
Cost of War” on
Monday afternoon February
21 (Presidents’ Day) at
the Capitol Theater, 206 5th
Avenue SE, in downtown Olympia.
Congressman Dennis
Kucinich Spoke in Olympia on
“The True Cost of War”
"The true cost of War - Rep. dennis
Kucinich
Q & A with Rep. Dennis Kucinich "the
true cost of war"
Latest News
 THE
FALL ISSUE OF THE WAR CRIMES TIMES AVAILABLE NOW!
This issue of the War Crimes Times features: USS Liberty
(Joel Kovel), Vietnam (Deborah Nelson), Afghanistan (Francis
A. Boyle, Jay Janson); Torture (Dave Lindorff); Army
Experience Center (Pat Elder); Readers and veterans speak
out; poetry; and more.
Download the pdf
Operation Recovery: Stop
the Deployment of Traumatized Troops
a campaign
by IVAW for GI and Veterans' Right to Heal
Sexual Assault and Rape - Women in Uniform
Time
magazine March 8, 2010
A Open Letter
to the Norwegian Nobel Committee
Josh Stieber & Conor Curran
Iraq
Veterans Protest Afghan War
King5
Video Oct 7
Watada Discharged
Article on Dan Ryan's trip to Viet Nan (page 3)
Afghanistan
Marking Ten Years of US War in Afghanistan by Michael T. McPhearson, former VFP Executive Director
Listening to
Victims of War - Afghan Youth Peace Volunteers
(Global Day of Listening)
Our Journey to Smile Watch inspiring, short videos
of Afghan young people desiring peace and
reconciliation.
Why
Die for Karzai
Obama's Speech on Escalating Troops for Afghanistan
An Open
Letter to The Norwegian Nobel Committee
Rethink
Afghanistan America cannot afford a war that does not make us
safer, and Congress has the power to stop the escalation.
Vote NO
on any spending bill that would send more troops to Afghanistan.
When Our Leaders Fail To Lead
,,,We
Have To Make Them
- David Korten
The 2nd Cup of Tea Peace Vigils
The US army is overstretched and exhausted, says peace campaigner Sarah
Lazare
Veterans oppose troop increase in Afghanistan
We urge all Americans, especially Veterans and
active-duty service members, and Military Families to speak out
against the war in Afghanistan.
Photos
Coffee Strong Photos
Protest Fort Lewis Brig Photos &
video
Arlington NW Memorial 2009
Iraq Memorial To Life -
Olympia WA March 20-21, 2009
Dahr Jamail's Photographs
from Iraq
Arlington NW Memorial 2005 in Olympia
Arlington
NW / Iraq War Memorial 2006 - Olympia WA
Photos
Iraq
War Memorial 2006 in Olympia
Arlington NW Memorial 2007
Arlington NW / Iraq War Memorial 2008
Jason Murley photo, General Administration Office
Photos by Bert Whitlock
Photos by Kay Schultz
The Olympian Article & Picture
Lewis County Chronicle Article on the ANW
Display in Centralia
Al McCleese Photos
Washington
D.C. Rally Photos by Bob Rudolph
Lake
Fair Photo
Al McLease of Chapter 134
provided
Other
Lake Fair Photos
Shortcuts for Quick Reading
Shortcut for Music/Videos
Shortcut for Audio Files
Veterans for Peace Sexual Assault Resource Page
War Resisters
Depleted Uranium
Larry Kerschner Writes
Winter Soldier Bibliography - Suggested reading, watching and listening
PTSD Resources
Dahr Jamail's Mideast Dispatches
If you haven't seen it, take a look at the AFSC video on the cost of war: http://www.afsc.org/cost/
Critical
Concern was
created to express other viewpoints to ponder. You are
encouraged to submit articles or links.
Friendly Water for the World seeks to increase environmental and community sustainability by helping communities help themselves. Our focus is on building local capacity through training and helping to start local micro-business or community-led distribution strategies. Biosand water filter projects are currently in Afghanistan, India, Kenya, and Burundi.
The National
Veterans Foundation has opened a toll-free helpline
(1-888-777-4443) for Troops, Veterans and their
families. All calls are answered live by trained veterans, who listen,
provide crisis intervention services, emotional support and
information, or immediate referrals to local providers who can help.
The NVF Helpline has already served more than 275,000 people in need.
"As I see it, our
mission remains un-changed – to establish ourselves as the
credible source of information and first-hand experience of
the real costs and causes of war – and to use that
information to convince the public of its own desperate need to change
the course of America away from militarism and military domination of
the planet." -- Woody Powell,
former VFP
Executive Director
How much does it cost to keep a single US soldier
in Iraq with the increasing prospect of being killed or seriously
injured? $350,000 a year! See
http://www.stopwar.org.uk/Statistics.htm
Action Items
Help Iraq Vets Maintain a Coffeehouse in Lakewood
The concept of opening a GI coffeehouse near Ft. Lewis is
now a two year reality. The Seattle and Tacoma Chapters of Iraq Veterans Against the War and several Veterans for Peace chapters are raising money to run the GI coffeehouse, Coffee Strong, near the Washington base. Coffeehouses have traditionally served as anti-war headquarters and have been integral in creating an anti-war GI movement. If you can please be a sustaining donor, please send your gifts to the GI voice project in Tacoma, so we can keep open a center of GI resistance. It would be greatly appreciated if you could please forward this message widely. Checks must be made to: GI Voice: THE MEMO MUST READ: Coffee Strong Support. Please send all tax-deductible donations to: GI Voice 15109 Union Ave SW Lakewood WA 98498
The Vietnam Friendship Village Project is a residence for children and elderly people suffering from the impact of Agent Orange. Built on a former rice paddy near Hanoi , the Friendship Village is a living symbol of peace and reconciliation, an amazing example of former enemies working together for a common compassionate cause. Currently, six countries are involved in this international project. Dan Ryan, a member of the US Committee, is available to present informative documentaries and discussion on this project. He can be reached at 360-352-3293 or peaceguy02@yahoo.com
Veterans
for Peace - Rachel Corrie Chapter 109
804 Narnia Lane NW
Olympia, WA 98502-2592
Each
new death of a soldier or a civilian, each
child who loses a parent to the carnage, each healthy body that is
broken or burned in this war
that didn't have to happen, is a reminder
of how horribly wrong he [Bush] was. --
Bob Herbert, NY Times
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