For My Friend, ProfMarcus, A Veteran

For an old soldier from some young soldiers.
I don't have the right, being a civilian. I am one of the few Republicans(formerly) that admits he isn't a war vet. I'm a chicken.
Let the veterans do the talking.
From Iraq Veterans Against The War.
Posted in total.

Happy 40th Anniversary to Vietnam Veterans Against the War!
VVAW will celebrate their 40th anniversary this weekend in Chicago, IL. Visit www.vvaw.org for more information.

By 1967, the war in Vietnam had been escalating for several years with U.S. and Vietnamese casualties growing when six Vietnam veterans marched together in a New York City peace demonstration and laid the groundwork for Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW). The founding of VVAW was echoed 37 years later by the formation of Iraq Veterans Against the War by 8 Iraq veterans in the summer of 2004. As IVAW has grown from a fledgling organization of a handful of Iraq and Iraq-era veterans to a nationwide organization of over 500 veterans and active duty men and women, VVAW has always been there to support us. Our sisters and brothers in the VVAW have helped IVAW grow, and encouraged and empowered many returning vets to voice their opposition to the reprehensible occupation of Iraq. IVAW is learning from the successes and struggles of VVAW to help us accomplish our goals of bringing the troops home now, caring for vets, and advocating for reparations and other help for the Iraqi people.
Like IVAW, VVAW was organized to voice the growing opposition to a U.S.-led war among returning servicemen and women and to advocate for the rights and needs of veterans. VVAW grew rapidly to a membership of over 30,000 throughout the United States as well as active duty GIs stationed in Vietnam. Through ongoing actions and grassroots organization, VVAW exposed the ugly truth about US involvement in Southeast Asia and their first-hand experiences helped many other Americans to see the unjust nature of that war.
VVAW quickly took up the struggle for the rights and needs of veterans. In 1970, they started the first rap groups to deal with traumatic after-effects of war, setting the example for readjustment counseling at Vet Centers now. They exposed the shameful neglect of many disabled vets in VA Hospitals and helped draft legislation to improve educational benefits and create job programs. VVAW fought for amnesty for war resisters, including vets with bad discharges. They helped make known the negative health effects of exposure to chemical defoliants and the VA's attempts to cover-up these conditions as well as their continued refusal to provide treatment and compensation for many Agent Orange Victims.
I know that the members of IVAW stand in proud agreement when VVAW declares that, “service to our country and communities did not end when we were discharged. We remain committed to the struggle for peace and for social and economic justice for all people. We will continue to oppose senseless military adventures and to teach the real lessons of the Vietnam War. We will do all we can to prevent another generation from being put through a similar tragedy and we will continue to demand dignity and respect for veterans of all eras. This is real patriotism and we remain true to our mission(emphasis added).”

If I might be so bold, I have a suspicion that ProfMarcus would approve.

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