VFP E-Bulletin

Fayetteville Peace March & Rally
March 17, 2007



Join Veterans For Peace as we rally in Fayetteville, NC.
10AM: Pre-Rally Show at Health Dept. Parking Lot at 227 Fountainhead Lane
Noon: The March! ( 3/4-mile route -- map --up Hay Street to Rowan Park)
1PM-4PM: The Rally!

Featuring Holly Near, Fruit of Labor, Dan Speller, Dave Lippman, Speakers, Kids Program, Peace Fair & More! Speakers include Ann Wright, Michael McPhearson, Ricky Clousing, Rev. Cureton Johnson, and Khodr Zaarour.

*******************************

Convoy to the Gulf Coast
March 18 - 24, 2007 - View itinerary here



As we wrap up the events in Fayetteville, NC, we will be traveling to Pascagoula, MS. Along the way, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Veterans For Peace, and many individual signers of the Appeal for Redress, will stop in six military towns in the southeastern US. In each town, we will hold an event for active duty military personnel and their families.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Monday, March 19 (Fort Bragg) Fayetteville, NC
Tuesday, March 20 (Fort Jackson) Columbia, South Carolina
Wednesday, March 21 (Fort Stewart) Hinesville/Savannah, Georgia
Thursday, March 22 (Mayport/Jacksonville Naval Stations) Florida
Friday, March 23 (Fort Benning) Columbus, Georgia
Saturday, March 24 (Maxwell-Gunter AFB) Montgomery, Alabama

*******************************

Rebuilding the Gulf Coast
March 25 - 31, 2007



We are thrilled to announce that we will be working with Operation TLC in Pascagoula, Mississippi!

Operation TLC Volunteer Center was launched in September 2006. They are a community outreach program that not only houses volunteers, but also facilitates community projects and provides a safe place for the community to gather and obtain information.
Located in the Pascagoula Recreation Center - a neat old high school gymnasium, our facility include bunks (on the basketball court), men's and women's hot showers, toilets, wireless Internet, recreational opportunities. We're a mile or so from the beach. Bring your rollerblades or walking/running shoes for sunrise or sunset frolics.
[ DONATE | LEARN MORE | SIGN UP FOR UPDATES ]

**********************************



An Open Letter to the Congressional Leadership

March 1, 2007
Dear Senate Majority Leader Reid, Speaker Pelosi and the Leadership of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives,
Our organizations represent military and Gold Star families; Veterans of the Iraq War; current servicemen and women including Active Duty, National Guard, Reserves and Individual Ready Reserves; Vietnam Veterans and Veterans of other eras. Our members have all been impacted by this war, some of us directly, and some because of what we know from combat in other wars. We all believe that the U.S. military occupation of Iraq must be brought to an immediate end. The people of the United States voted for a change in Congressional leadership last November, due in large part to the desire to see the disaster in Iraq come to an end. Congress now has the opportunity to end this unjust war and bring our troops home. But as we write this letter, it appears that this is an opportunity you are prepared to squander.
In the next several weeks, Congress will vote on President Bush's 2007 Supplemental Appropriations request that will, if passed, provide the funds to continue the war in Iraq . Legislative hearings, increased oversight and funding restrictions will not end the war. The President has defied the voice of the American people as expressed in November's vote, and ordered over 21,000 more combat troops into harm's way. He has made it clear he will not bring our troops home. Congress can and must use its Constitutional "power of the purse" to de-fund the war and bring it to an end.
As leaders in Congress, none of you has advocated for de-funding the Iraq war. As organizations representing thousands of people with family, loved ones and friends in harms way, we need to know why. Why won't you take the most direct path to bringing this war to an end?
.............
Right now, it seems that you cannot see the political upside of doing what we and the majority of people in this country are calling on you to do. It is important that you understand the political downside of allowing this war to continue. If you provide further funding for the war in Iraq , it will no longer be President Bush's war. You will be co-owners. You will share responsibility for the continued chaos and loss of life in Iraq . You will have lost the opportunity to provide leadership when it is sorely needed. You will have given license to more years of a failed policy and countless deaths.
We ask you now: support our troops, de-fund the war, and bring them home now. We look forward to your response.
Read the entire letter here

VETERANS WORKING TOGETHER FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE THROUGH NON-VIOLENCE.
Veterans For Peace, 216 S. Meramec, St. Louis, MO 63105, 314-725-6005
Veterans For Peace