by lao hong han, that was posted last night, 9-15-07, and thankfully still sits in the recommend list, you will find some great reply's, from those who knew Dave and those who didn't, along with some links I have borrowed and placed here.
Adding to them a few pics, links to what Dave was passionately a part of, since his service in 'Nam, with hopefully giving all an idea of what this Man was all about.
This VetPax · Veterans Peace Coalition is the Yahoo Group Board of
The sponsoring organizations are the three metro area chapters of Veterans For Peace (New York City, Tappan Zee, and Northern New Jersey), the Clarence Fitch Chapter of Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Military Families Speak Out, Iraq Veterans Against the War, and the Veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade. Actvities have been endorsed by Black Veterans for Social Justice, Veterans for Common Sense, Citizen Soldier, New York City Labor Against War, September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, and Gold Star Families For Peace.
That Dave was a member of. t's a moderated board so not sure if just anyone can read the posts, but there are a number of them there written by those who knew him best.
Much will be written, in the coming weeks, about Dave. Why, because in his quite way, except when leading cadence calls at Peace Rallies, or giving passionant speaches, Dave's dedication touched many in and out of the Veteran Communities Ranks. His name and memory, in history of true Patriots and Veterans, will be added to those who have passed on before him, for not only his dedication to this country but also his hard work and advocacy of the people of the country he and us invaded and served in, Vietnam, recognizing, as many of us did, how unjustified that conflict was. He gave back much to those we almost destroyed, and especially those who are still suffering from our sins, of the past, in this our present.
For those who may not recognize the name, you might recognize the face. Here is the URL for google photo's of the Dave Clines, a few below will help you seperate our Dave from the others.
David Cline has left us, but not our memories
As a patient dedicated peace advocate
And his early veteran activism in VVAW calling for peace and an end to that conflict built and sold on lies
Just one of the many VVAW actions taken back then, when they liberated 'Lady Liberty'
And hung the U.S. Flag in the 'Distress' position from her crown, a message of the way many felt of the wrongs we had done, at that time, and the legacy of those wrongs live on, never resolved nor understood.
Dec 26th 1970
I posted about the VVAW Anniversary-Dec 26th 1971-Statue of Liberty, Liberation on my site and a few others last year.
David was also the long time President of Veterans For Peace right up till recently which told me, as I haven't seen him in awhile, that the health problems he suffered from, many from his service in Vietnam, were catching up to him.
David was the
VFP 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 seek justice for veterans and victims of war
(e) To abolish war as an instrument of national policy.
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.
He lived it and tried, as the rest of us do, to stand strong to those words!
Dave also gave back much to the people we once fought, especially the kids who even today are still being born, and living with, that which we condemned them to, the effects of defoliante contamiation, Agent Orange, and a few other colors of Weapons Of Mass Destruction!
American veterans delegation (l-r) David Cline, Ralph Steele, Joan Duffy, Frank Corcoran, Dan Shea behind Mrs. Vietnam 2005, Doan Thi Kim Hong, performing songs for Agent Orange affected children at hospice near Cu Chi.
You can find out more about what he, and Veterans For Peace, are involved in at this post
Second Vietnam Agent Orange Justice Tour
Or this post
Justice for Victims of Agent Orange
This one also
Justice for Victims of Agent Orange 2
And as one of the founders of
Vietnam Agent Orange Relief & Responsibility Campaign
You can read about and watch Dave with the following links
Interview with Vietnam War Veteran David Cline: The Iraqis have a right to self-determination
David Cline speaks in Washington (1/27/07)
Not Dave but how we feel about him
Rita Martinson - Soldier We Love You - Sir No Sir - Trailer
And if you haven't seen 'Sir! No Sir!' Dave is one of the Vets interviewed in that important documentary.
Peace Has No Borders ~ David Cline
There isn't anything written at The VVAW Site as yet, but I'm sure there will be in the next couple of days as well as in their next publication of The Veteran, of which will be posted online.
Also there is nothing up at The Veterans For Peace Site, that to will change in the next couple of days.
Both those sites will be carrying Tributes by those who knew Dave very well, I'm sure!
You can find a very touching tribute at fellow Veteran Stan Goffs site
Dave Cline…
Dave was former President of Veterans For Peace, founding leader of Vietnam Veterans Against the War, and a founder of the Vietnam Agent Orange Relief & Responsibility Campaign.
He was prominently featured in the film Sir, No Sir!, a film about GI resistance during the Vietnam occupation, reviewed recently by DeAnander on this site.
And a tribute to All Veterans from Tom Chelston, a recent Veteran, of Toms Songs
"VFP" Veterans For Peace
And This From Tom, a song that says it all!
I Miss You
If You Knew,or Met Dave, You'll Understand The Tributes To Come! If You Didn't You'll Find You Wish You Had!
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