Wow! I have a DD-214 in my back pocket that shows I have nine years, ninths and six days of honorable service in Uncle Sam’s Army. That stint included two trips to Nam and two Bronze Stars.

I was ‘lucky’ enough to see Tet of ’68 up close and personal. My second trip included about six weeks in Cambodia in April of ’70. I know how to fly a helicopter, shoot a four deuce mortar and fix pretty much anything electronic. Not exactly an REMF, but I was there.

Now I realize that my anti-war views are not welcomed in some quarters, but don’t diss me because I disagree with you.

There are a few facts that we should be able to agree upon:

1. Veterans are treated like shit by the Veterans Administration.
2. Veterans represent 25% of the homeless population of the United States, yet comprise only 11% of the adult population of this country.
3. The Veterans Administration is woefully under funded.
4. Jobs and Veterans are problematic.
5. PTSD and TBI are going to become epidemic as time passes.
6. Depleted uranium is going to dwarf Agent Orange in terms of scope and toxicity.

You will not shut us up. On Sunday the Veterans For Peace marched behind the American Legion’s Veterans Day parade in Boston. About a block behind the parade. Led by five motorcycle Officers.

My pics of the day are somewhat spotty, as I was attending to business.

We assembled























The IVAW agreed to the American Legion’s rules – one banner, no signs – and were allowed to march at the end of the parade.

Here they are stepping off




I caught a picture of this puppy getting into the parade while we were waiting for the street sweepers.

Nice looking .50 cal




Here we are waiting to start




A few pics along the way








When we got to City Hall Plaza, veterans willing to risk arrest went down to stand in front of the podium





This pic made it to Obermann last night




Here's the Obermann segment on Countdown last night:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x69252


You should know the oldest veteran arrested on Sunday was 92.

stephinrome posted our VFP video here on DU:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=69290&mesg_id=69290



In closing, a personal observation: The Boston Police treated us with humor and respect for the most part, and for that I thank them.

The Boston Police were doing their job right up to the point they tried to spin the day:

http://www.bpdnews.com/2007/11/18_arrested_during_veterans_da.html

18 ARRESTED DURING VETERANS DAY CEREMONY

At about 2:00pm, on Sunday, November 11, 2007, officers assigned to the Veteran’s Day Parade in the area of One City Hall Plaza observed a large group of individuals protesting in front of the staging area. The protestors, a group from an organization called Veterans for Peace, created a disturbance throughout the proceedings. On several occasions, police officers warned the group that if they continued to deliberately interrupt and disrupt the assembly they would face arrest. When offered an alternative location from which to protest from, the protestors refused. At which point, officers arrested 18 individuals (15 males & 3 females) and charged all of them with Disturbing a Lawful Assembly of People.



We found out later from the Arlington Advocate:

"Also...we were told by a media relations department member of the BPD that you were chanting loudly in front of the stage, and obstructing the view was anyone in your group chanting?"


It's hard to chant with a bandana over your mouth. I know.

Thanks to everyone who was there for peace. :yourock:

:thumbsup:

:yourock:

I've actually spent an afternoon with 'unhappycamper' in real life;
I enjoyed the experience and recommend it highly to everyone!

He's a rare combination of "laid back cool" and "laser-focus seriousness";
not something you see every day (or even every DECADE).

EVERYONE should spend an afternoon with UnhappyCamper-
this world would be a better place for it.

for telling me/us about that unique, historical afternoon with the unhapppycamper.

Someday/weekend we're going to have to have a DU gathering of the rebels, somewhere around this great country of ours.

And, we've all seen Skinner's post to support The Troops For Peace..
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2280010

:patriot:

The distress flags were excellent.

I most heartily concur that both the Smedley Butler reference and the distress flags were inspired tactics.You have my sincerest thanks as a charter member of my home states chapter of VVAW who was once arrested for parading without a permit for taking part in just such an event despite having been denied permission by the organizers.It's most heartening that once again those most qualified to speak to the unmitigated disaster that is any war are willing to take up the cause of peace.Thank you

:patriot:

Thanks for posting these pictures, UHC!!

:patriot:

"The IVAW agreed to the American Legion’s rules – one banner, no signs
– and were allowed to march at the end of the parade."

Then arrested for standing there?? What a load of crap!! :grr:

NEVER LET ANYONE SHUT YOU UP!!!


:kick: & Recommended!!

For being there and for standing up. The media of course would have to blame you for disruption. How can a person with their mouth covered chant?

:yourock:

Sonia

and you know what... the American Legion is not getting too many young'un vets to join

Do they realize that once the old ones are gone... the organization will wither away?

:hi:

You're the Smedley Butler guy who mentioned that book about him being recruited to overthrow President Roosevelt. That book was excellent and made me really appreciate Mr. Butler more than most military guys. That last photograh is Pulitzer Prize winning material.

"The Plot to Seize the White House" IIRC.

Veterans appreciate your support.

Got in the AF right after Vietnam War so served in peace time.

In our town (not my home town)we have this big parade in May and the Vets for Peace wanted to attened but the American Legion here was getting their britches in a wad over it and the parade organizers said the Vets for Peace have a right to march in the parade too, and so they did.

And a :kick: ;-)

Great pics.

Love Them~ :loveya:

Patriots all

Thank you unhappycamper :patriot:

I salute you and your Brothers In Arms, Sir :pals: :hug:

Veterans appreciate it. We really do.

My husband was in country for 14 months and was there for Tet as well. We have a bumper sticker on our car, "Old hippies for peace". We would have been better off with either a "true" Vietnam vet in office, or a someone who conscientiously objected to the war, as opposed to the fake warriors we have now.

:patriot:

Your photos are great, too. I love the upside-down flag message! :patriot:

:hug:

:hug:

And I could just imagine the look of your DD-214 compared to this one

Not even a real medal issued there!

I made the mistake of filing mine at the County Recorders office before the redacted things like SSN etc

Got Fascism Yet?

Fascism Accomplished!

... that there ARE Faux 'vets' whose claims and misrepresentations smear all of us. Even on DU, I confronted venomous attacks on my integrity. So, even against my better judgment, I decided to post this
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=259x2867

It's a sad, despicable situation when veterans must defend against such attacks in the context of so many actual phonies.

Thanks for your phony service then and now.

(Did I mention K&R?)

:kick: :kick: :kick:

It's a good feeling, ya?

saw tony on Olberman last night- that was pretty cool!

did jesse video tape?

my respect for you grows deeper each day!

I have *NO Clue* what will turn out.

Thanks Babe :hug:

Thank you for your actions past, present and future.

And I am so ashamed of the American Legion.

They get you guys arrested and they kiss the butts of Bush, Cheney and other chickenhawk traitors.

Keeping veterans drunk at discount prices since WW I.

As a Viet Nam veteran myself, (in my case a genuine REMF), I am SO DAMNED PROUD of you guys!!!

I was beginning to think that this sort of activism had been quashed, and I am so pleased that my assumption was invalid.



:patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :yourock:

I did not serve, but my father did, 21 years in the USN. I was along for the ride for 14 years of it.

you have no idea how much I respect, honor and appreciate your commitment to our country then and now.

Bless you and your compadres for everything. And special thanks for doing it with your hard-earned dignity and gravitas on display.

And forwarding links to friends. I went in and out of Cam Ranh Bay, but never saw trouble while in country. Was in Air Navy, VP-50.
Been wearing my Veterans for Peace T-shirt at the Farmers Market and displaying the World can't wait, Drive out The * Regime orange bandanna and handing out Deception Dollars. decepetiondollar.com
Keep it up,

:thumbsup:

Thanks for reporting this.

are treated.....

Call Of Duty My Fucking Ass!!!

Thank your for your patriotism and your continuing service! You are heros!!!!