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April 14, 2010

Forum: Veterans for Peace reach out

By TIM KEENAN

Veterans for Peace is a national organization of men and women veterans. Many of our members served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The local Traverse City Chapter 50 was founded in 1985, named in honor of WWII vets Bruce and Char Sanderson. Many of our local members are combat veterans -- decorated veterans.

Our statement of purpose:

We, having dutifully served our nation, realize our greater responsibilities: Serve the cause of world peace. Work to increase public awareness of the costs of war, and the irreparable damage done to countless veterans and families. Work toward an end to the arms race and the reduction, and eventual elimination, of nuclear weapons. Seek justice for veterans and victims of war, and continue calling for the abolishment of war and the use of such as an instrument as national policy.

We have consistently opposed involvement in Iraq since our occupation. We oppose our involvement in Afghanistan. Those who start wars never fight them. Those who fight wars live and die in them.

We cannot stand idly by and see more of our brothers and sisters lose their lives or have permanent damage to their bodies and minds. We have been there -- we know the pain of war.

More than 33,500 United States troops have been wounded (or "injured" as the media reports) and more than 5,400 killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Do we truly understand the impact of these losses on the veterans, their families and friends? The pain and loneliness cannot be measured, yet we barely read about these horrors anymore. Light & Power and Tiger Woods make for better news.

We sometimes feel alone in seeking justice and working to bring our troops home. Some view us as unpatriotic. We believe that patriotism is showing leadership for peace and stability in the world, not conflict and war. We reach out to all people, including other veterans groups, to join us in working for solutions to these conflicts and bring our troops home.

Veterans for Peace has worked with other groups to furnish medical supplies, and build clinics, hospitals and schools in Vietnam and Iraq, promoting friendship between countries. We award a VFP scholarship to children of veterans who are in financial need.

We will continue to honor our fallen veterans with a display of crosses at the Open Space on Veterans Day and Memorial Day each year, with heavy hearts indeed. Each year, more crosses. Our support for the troops never wavers. We want them home.

We invite anyone, veterans and non-veterans, to participate in a monthly silent walk through downtown Traverse City on the third Saturday of every month at noon. One hour of your time -- a minor sacrifice compared to the sacrifice of our sisters and brothers in harm's way. Please join us.

About the author: Tim Keenan is the president of the local chapter of Veterans for Peace and was awarded the Silver Star while serving in the infantry in Vietnam. On the Web at: www.vfp50.com

About the forum: The forum is a periodic column of opinion written by Record-Eagle readers in their areas of interest or expertise. Submissions of 500 words or less may be made by e-mailing letters@record-eagle.com. Please include biographical information and a photo.

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