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Fall 2017, volume XXI, issue 3 VETERANS FOR PEACE NEWS MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL VETERANS FOR PEACE, CHAPTER 27 Veterans For Peace News is published quar- terly by Mpls./St. Paul Veterans For Peace, Chapter 27. Veterans For Peace works to increase awareness of the costs of war, restrain our government from intervening in the internal affairs of other nations, end the arms race, reduce and even- tually eliminate nuclear weapons, seek justice for veterans and victims of war, and abolish war as an instrument of national policy. We pledge to use democratic and non- violent means to achieve our purpose. To subscribe to this newsletter, please call: 612-821-9141 Or write: Veterans For Peace Ch. 27 4200 Cedar Ave, S. #7 Minneapolis, MN 55407 Or e-mail: [email protected] Our website is: www.vfpchapter27.org. Newsletter committee: Frank Fuller, editor; Pat Downey, Jennie Downey, Jean Heberle, Joan Johnson, Mike Madden, Steve McKeown, Mary McNellis, Barry Riesch. Craig Wood “There won’t be any trumpets blowing come the Judgement Day — on the bloody morning after, one tin soldier rides away...” (Potter & Lambert) by Ron Staff E ducation; Not Militarization is a mouth- ful, but you can work it into a chant. At the Chicago convention, that happened the night a large portion of the attendees strolled down the avenue to the Trump building in protest of the violence in Charlottesville and the tweeter-in-chief’s less-than-clear response. Among the public artifacts nearby is a three dimensional “real fake” metal sign within easy photo framing of the Trump build- ing sign. One wonders if it is an accident in the windy city with its long labor history. So with all the normal profound informa- tion didactically presented in the array of rooms off the elevator lobby on the sixth floor of the Palmer House and the opportune national events occurring at the same time, conventioneers had something to engage their attention no matter which way they turned. Chicago’s Cpl. Joseph E. Powers VFP Chapter 26 production was both laid back and focused. Many of the issues: Agent Orange, veter- an homelessness, United Nations Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty, terminating torture, resisting drone use, celebrating Japanese VFP, Iraq Veterans For Peace - about face report, GI rights and the economic draft, climate con- cerns, attention to Palestine and Israel, British VFP, Standing Rock, military rape culture, the tabling room. Some of the speakers: Paul Chappel, Andrew Lichterman, Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Tayyib Rashid, Rory Fanning, Ellen Davidson, Ray McGovern, Daniel Lenham, Rick Jahnkow, Monique Salhab and Col. Lawrence Wilderson’s Banquet stimula- tor talk. There were many other speakers. Then the final concert with Jackson Browne who donated more than $50,000 for our Chicago National Convention on “Education, Not Militarization” Convention, Continued on page 3 all photos by Ellen Davidson

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Fall 2017, volume XXI, issue 3

VETERANS FOR PEACE NEWSMINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL VETERANS FOR PEACE, CHAPTER 27

Veterans For PeaceNews is published quar-terly by Mpls./St. PaulVeterans For Peace,Chapter 27.

Veterans For Peaceworks to increaseawareness of the costsof war, restrain our government from intervening in the internal affairs of othernations, end the armsrace, reduce and even-tually eliminate nuclearweapons, seek justicefor veterans and victimsof war, and abolish waras an instrument ofnational policy.

We pledge to use democratic and non-violent means toachieve our purpose.

To subscribe to this newsletter,

please call:612-821-9141

Or write:Veterans For Peace Ch. 27 4200 Cedar Ave, S. #7Minneapolis, MN 55407

Or e-mail: [email protected]

Our website is:www.vfpchapter27.org.

Newsletter committee: Frank Fuller, editor; Pat Downey, Jennie

Downey, Jean Heberle,Joan Johnson, Mike

Madden, SteveMcKeown, Mary

McNellis, Barry Riesch.Craig Wood

“There won’t be anytrumpets blowing comethe Judgement Day —on the bloody morningafter, one tin soldierrides away...”

(Potter & Lambert)

by Ron Staff

Education; Not Militarization is a mouth-ful, but you can work it into a chant. At

the Chicago convention, that happened thenight a large portion of the attendees strolleddown the avenue to the Trump building inprotest of the violence in Charlottesville andthe tweeter-in-chief’s less-than-clearresponse. Among the public artifacts nearby isa three dimensional “real fake” metal signwithin easy photo framing of the Trump build-ing sign. One wonders if it is an accident inthe windy city with its long labor history.

So with all the normal profound informa-tion didactically presented in the array ofrooms off the elevator lobby on the sixth floorof the Palmer House and the opportunenational events occurring at the same time,conventioneers had something to engage theirattention no matter which way they turned.

Chicago’s Cpl. Joseph E. Powers VFP Chapter26 production was both laid back and focused.

Many of the issues: Agent Orange, veter-an homelessness, United Nations NuclearWeapons Ban Treaty, terminating torture,resisting drone use, celebrating Japanese VFP,Iraq Veterans For Peace - about face report, GIrights and the economic draft, climate con-cerns, attention to Palestine and Israel, BritishVFP, Standing Rock, military rape culture, thetabling room. Some of the speakers: PaulChappel, Andrew Lichterman, Rev. LennoxYearwood, Tayyib Rashid, Rory Fanning,Ellen Davidson, Ray McGovern, DanielLenham, Rick Jahnkow, Monique Salhab andCol. Lawrence Wilderson’s Banquet stimula-tor talk. There were many other speakers.Then the final concert with Jackson Brownewho donated more than $50,000 for our

Chicago National Convention on“Education, Not Militarization”

Convention, Continued on page 3

all photos by Ellen Davidson

PAGE 2 FALL 2017 MPLS./ST. PAUL VETERANS FOR PEACE CHAPTER 27

Notes from the Presidentby Dave Logsdon

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can dothat. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

-Martin Luther King

Easier said than done, but what is the alternative? So Isit in front of this little computer screen, this portal of com-munication, trying in some small way to serve the cause ofa more peaceful tomorrow. We must all remember that wecannot save the world by ourselves, we need to do our bestto heal ourselves and then to leverage whatever skill set wehave to facilitate healing to all those around us. At VeteransFor Peace we have an exciting and unique opportunity toamplify our voices. Thanks to the hard work of the staff ofthis newsletter we can do this.

“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”-Albert Einstein

I just got back from the Veterans For Peace conventionin Chicago and my head is exploding with ideas and images.We had a strong contingent from Minnesota in attendance.We will be hosting the convention next year (2018) indowntown St. Paul and we are figuring out what works and,especially, what doesn’t work. I am very excited about theExecutive Board of the National Veterans For Peace. Thestrong representation from a strong, young, and diversegroup. Their energy and perspective is critical for our organ-ization going forward. We are an all-volunteer group local-ly and we have lot going on. Our website is starting to shapeup, the mobile peace center (the bus) is painted and rolling,and the opportunities to promote our message have neverbeen better or more necessary.

“If my thought-dreams could be seen, they’d probably put my head in a guillotine.”

-Bob DylanThe Harold and Louise Nielsen Peace Center is moving

along (literally). The exterior lettering is complete and themechanical work to make it road worthy has been done. Theinterior design is the next step. Craig Wood, SteveMcKeown, Mike McDonald, and Doug Drews have put aton of sweat equity into this thing already. Thank you gen-tlemen. We have driven it to Peacestock, the Art Car Parade,driven folks from the Democracy Conference to the LakeHarriet Peace Garden for the Hiroshima/NagasakiCeremony, and other events. Once the interior is finished,we can strategize for future events. The vision is to bringour message to the people and promote peace and under-

standing as well as grow our brand. It’s been a long, convo-luted, democratic process (believe me; democracy ismessy), but the bus is a reality and we are under budget!

and in conclusion…We ain’t perfect, but we are doing our best. “Good” is

often held hostage by “perfect,” yet we muddle through. Wehave a wonderful mix of veterans, some combat vets, somenon-combat vets and, of course, our extremely valuableassociate members! I’m so proud to be working along sideall of these folks. They put up with my “unique” leadershipstyle which is summed up in this quote from Jack Kerouac;“I have nothing to offer anyone except my own confusion”.Tune into the Veterans For Peace Hour, October 8th (10AM) on KFAI 90.3 FM for a sample of that confusion!

Nuclear petition updateby Steve McKeown

With the willingness to use first strike nuclear weaponsthe United States policy of nuclear deterrence denies itsown validity as a working solution. But the U.S. notion ofdeterrence is more rightly stated as one of dominance.There has been no exception to this since we dropped thefirst atomic bomb in 1945. This dominance has nowextended into space, as was so well expressed by BruceGagnon from the Global Network against Weapons andNuclear power in Space at the Peacestock gathering in RedWing.

On July 7 this year, a historic agreement by 122 nationswas put forward to not only end this dominance, but to ban-ish nuclear weapons from the face of the earth. The EndWar Committee from WAMM initiated a petition drive thatVFP and others from around the state of Minnesota havejoined to call on our local Congress members and Senatorsto work towards. This includes our meeting with all ofthem. We have had preliminary discussions with the staffof Senators Franken and Klobachar and are in the processof setting up meetings with the rest.

As we go to press, we have 6,000 signatures from 244cities and towns in Minnesota. Please help with this effortby contacting WAMM at 612 823 6547 or VFP 612 8219141.

MPLS./ST. PAUL VETERANS FOR PEACE CHAPTER 27 FALL 2017 PAGE 3

national VFP efforts from that awesome, final evening.Wednesday ended with “Beyond the Divide” after the

poetry reading, Thursday concluded with the film, “A BoldPeace,” Friday’s wrap-up with Power To Peace Festival at

the Vic Theater, a few blocks away was a resonant wander-ing through the fields of peace work. On Saturday, follow-ing Col. Wilkerson’s call for more choices, yielded thatwalk in protest and concluded with the film “Peace Has NoBorders.” Sunday’s police-accompanied walk to theVietnam Veterans Memorial on the river left time to relaxbefore Jackson Browne’s Benefit concert.

Education led at every turn and helps in finding peaceat the core of the intersection with our present moment.Being prepared. Trained. Calmed into seeing the complexpicture presented by all that is human, can open one’s sens-es to a clear vision of what is.

Is the current government-encouraged health insurancesystem really just a form of feudal health serfdom to thecompany? Does a statue preserve history or distort it? Doour secret organs of governance help quell conflict or createit? How has blowback been portrayed, without includingrefugees? Do terrorists arise from bombing the poor? Arewars for peace or profit?

Do we really ask too many questions? Or not enough?Think about it.

Convention, from page 1

Jackson Browne.

PAGE 4 FALL 2017 MPLS./ST. PAUL VETERANS FOR PEACE CHAPTER 27

by Larry Johnson

�7�K�H�� �1�R�E�H�O�� �3�H�D�F�H�� �3�U�L�]�H�� �)�R�U�X�P�� �Z�L�O�O�� �W�D�N�H�� �S�O�D�F�H�6�H�S�W�H�P�E�H�U�� ������ ���� ������We will be doing a session

September 16, with MN Alliance of Peacemakers, re-ener-gizing this year’s third annual LESLIE REINDL PEACEESSAY CONTEST. We will encourage students in grades9-12 to participate in an ACTION of their choosing or cre-ation and then write about it in such a way that readers areinspired to do the same. We will also be mobilizing a“speaker’s bureau” of peace activists, willing to speak toyoung people to inspire participation in this effort. WATCHFOR THE FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENT SEPTEMBER21, AND SIGN ON AS A SPEAKER [email protected]. Go to www.nobelpeaceprizefo-rum.org to register for the forum.

�6�H�S�W�H�P�E�H�U�� ������ �D�W�� �&�H�G�D�U�K�X�U�V�W�� �0�D�Q�V�L�R�Q�� �L�Q�� �,�Q�Y�H�U�*�U�R�Y�H�� �+�H�L�J�K�W�V��Dick Bernard referred us to this statelymansion, now an Event Center. Their website,www.cedarhurstmansion.com, proudly proclaims the origi-nal residents as friends of Frank Kellogg and that the firstdraft of the Kellogg–Briand Pact was written in the house.On September 19, Steve, Dave Logsdon, and I are taking thetour to consider possibilities for future events, including theAugust 2018 National VFP Convention, locked in here byWayne Wittman, to honor the 90th anniversary of the sign-ing of the Kellogg-Briand Pact.

�,�Q�W�H�U�Q�D�W�L�R�Q�D�O���3�H�D�F�H���’�D�\�����6�H�S�W�H�P�E�H�U�����������D�W���&�D�U�O�H�W�R�Q�&�R�O�O�H�J�H���L�Q���1�R�U�W�K�I�L�H�O�G��We will have a strong presence inthe 6:30 program, at the college where Paul Wellstone oncetaught, and where Al Montero currently teaches in the pro-fessorship endowed by Frank Kellogg to keep alive thelegacy of the outlawing war. We will formally announcethe PEACE ESSAY CONTEST, then RING BELLS OFPEACE before presenting the college with a Kellogg-Briand Pact banner. Incidentally, when Steve McKeown andI went to meet with Professor Montero, we were greetedwith a sign reading THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THESWORD, AND A WHOLE LOT EASIER TO WRITEWITH.

�0�L�Q�Q�H�V�R�W�D�� �5�H�P�H�P�E�H�U�V�� �9�L�H�W�Q�D�P��We are listed aspartners with several institutions applying for communityengagement grants in a Humanities Center/TPT partnershipto create dialogue around the Ken Burns/Lynn NovickVIETNAM documentary. Whether or not we end up in a

grant-funded program, we should plan to SPEAK OUT.The way to start is to watch the 18-hour series and makesure the story is told honestly and accurately. When we didWorld Storytelling Day 2015 as SEVEN STORIES I WISHTHEY’D TELL ABOUT THE WAR IN VIETNAM, I delib-erately read the Tom Brokaw book about the 60s. I thenwrote, “Brokaw’s bestseller says his friend Les Gelbworked on what came to be known as the Pentagon Papers.It doesn’t say what they were, and Daniel Ellsberg is nevermentioned. The book virtually ignores such things as Gulfof Tonkin, Kent State, My Lai, draft card burning, FulbrightHearings, rape in Vietnam, homeless veterans, and the trav-esty of Agent Orange.” I don’t know what the Burns docu-mentary is like, but it airs in 10 parts beginning at 7 p.m.Sunday-Thursday, Sept 17-21 and Sept 24-28. I plan towatch, with mighty pen in hand, looking for what might beleft out. The most effective way to mislead people is TOTELL THE TRUTH, BUT LEAVE OUT SIGNIFICANTPARTS OF THE STORY. I’m not saying they did that. I’mjust saying that if they did, most people will just be in aweat how wonderful the documentary is. Our job is to providethe missing pieces for those who are trained to just be inawe of how wonderful the expensively produced stories are.

�6�1�$�3�����&�5�$�&�.�/�(�����$�1�’���6�7�2�3�����2�F�W�R�E�H�U�������D�W�������S���P���D�W���W�K�H���%�O�D�F�N���’�R�J���&�D�I�p��This is the show Gerald Ganann,Steve Gates, and I are doing to raise money for the 2018PEACE ESSAY SCHOLARSHIPS. See flyer on page 10and plan to come and bring all your money.

It’s fall: time to spring into action

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MPLS./ST. PAUL VETERANS FOR PEACE CHAPTER 27 FALL 2017 PAGE 5

by Ron Staff

Thomas Dooley, known to all as Tom, died on July 4th.He was 91. When he was six months old his mother had

died on the July 4. The holiday has gained enrichment withthese two simplefacts.

He had beentrained as a bombergunner during WorldWar II but the warended before he gotinto it. As a veteran,he had learnedenough to be fertileground when theAmerican War inVietnam began. Hetook to opposing itwith a certain ease,which accompaniedthe rest of his widen-

ing understanding of corporate governance. His “DearFellow Commodity” greeting to many in his wide circle offriends saved them the trouble of looking to see who waswriting the rest of the message.

Such habits endeared him to all who knew him. Tom grew up around Loring Park, was an alter boy at

the Basilica and experienced the Father Coughlin transition.He worked as a traveling salesman for Admiral appliancesand then worked for the Minnesota Highway Departmentuntil retirement. He married and they had five children,Mary Kay, Kevin, JoAnne, Terry and Todd, all of whom livein the metro area with his five grandchildren.

His daughter, Mary Kay Edwards said, “(He) didn’tserve overseas, and he was still opposed to war.”

Twenty years after his active service, he protested thewar in Vietnam while living in Blaine, not exactly a hot bedof activism. His reading always led him on and he did what-ever he could to promote other’s reading habits. He volun-teered at whatever MayDay Bookstore tabling event wasnot otherwise covered.

Conversation was his specialty. Not many people payattention to this skill he produced without hesitation.Listening after he had asked his first open-ended questiongave him the next question, following his expansion on theanswer. Everyone who spoke to him came away feeling

heard and understood. The continued hunt for the truth outbeyond them both enriched them; expanding their enjoy-ment.

For Tom this was the heart of life’s joy and he revelledin it at any and all opportunities.

Writing for the the �1�H�Z�� �8�Q�L�R�Q�L�V�Wpaper and thisnewsletter displayed his wry humor, his wide reading andclearly stated beliefs. Putting things right out in the publiceye brought him lots of the interactions he enjoyed. His“This War Business” column alway presented at least onefact, which could ignite a whole chain of incriminatingunderstandings; new to most readers and designed to peakinterest.

Lives lived is such a manner are gratifying to the end.

In memoriamTom Dooley

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PAGE 6 FALL 2017 MPLS./ST. PAUL VETERANS FOR PEACE CHAPTER 27

by Hiromi Mizuno, Associate Professor of History,Univ. of Minnesota, with Takashi Mizuno

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�G�D�\���Z�D�V���W�R�X�J�K���R�Q���P�\���D�J�L�Q�J���E�R�G�\�����E�X�W���W�K�H���&�L�W�\���R�I���+�L�U�R�V�K�L�P�D�G�H�F�L�G�H�G���W�R���S�O�D�\���P�\���P�X�V�L�F���S�L�H�F�H���µ�:�H�O�F�R�P�H���W�R���7�K�L�V���&�L�W�\�¶���I�R�U�W�K�H���F�H�U�H�P�R�Q�\�����D�Q�G���,���Z�D�Q�W�H�G���W�R���E�H���W�K�H�U�H�����,�W�¶�V���E�H�H�Q���������\�H�D�U�V�����,�X�V�H�G�� �W�R�� �U�H�S�R�U�W�� �W�K�H�� �F�H�U�H�P�R�Q�\�� �I�U�R�P�� �W�K�H�� �S�U�L�Y�L�O�H�J�H�G�� �V�H�D�W�V�U�H�V�H�U�Y�H�G�� �I�R�U���P�H�G�L�D�� �V�W�D�I�I���� �7�K�L�V�� �W�L�P�H�� �,�� �V�W�R�R�G�� �Z�L�W�K�� �W�K�H�� �U�H�V�W���R�I�������������� �S�H�R�S�O�H�� �D�W�� �W�K�H�� �H�S�L�F�H�Q�W�H�U���� �(�[�F�H�S�W�� �I�R�U�� �W�K�H�� �R�Q�H���P�L�Q�X�W�H�V�L�O�H�Q�W���S�U�D�\�H�U���D�W�������������D���P�������Z�K�L�F�K���L�V���D�O�Z�D�\�V���V�R�O�H�P�Q�����W�K�H���F�H�U���H�P�R�Q�\���I�H�O�W���K�R�O�O�R�Z�����W�R���E�H���K�R�Q�H�V�W�����3�U�L�P�H���0�L�Q�L�V�W�H�U���$�E�H���6�K�L�Q�]�{�V�S�R�N�H���R�I�� �S�H�D�F�H���� �,�V�Q�¶�W�� �K�H���W�K�H�� �R�Q�H�� �Z�K�R�� �Z�D�Q�W�V�� �-�D�S�D�Q�� �W�R���K�D�Y�H�Q�X�F�O�H�D�U�� �Z�H�D�S�R�Q�V�� �O�L�N�H�� �1�R�U�W�K�� �.�R�U�H�D�"�� �$�S�S�O�D�X�V�H�� �Z�D�V�� �V�S�D�U�V�H�D�I�W�H�U���K�L�V���V�S�H�H�F�K���� �L�W�� �V�H�H�P�V�� �,�� �Z�D�V�� �Q�R�W�� �W�K�H���R�Q�O�\�� �R�Q�H�� �Z�K�R�� �Z�D�V�D�Q�Q�R�\�H�G��

That is what my father Takashi Mizuno wrote to meafter his trip to Hiroshima earlier this month.

This is an extremely precarious time for Asia, withhawkish Prime Minister Abe staying in power despite all thescandals, President Tramp agitating numerous countries tobeef up their militaries, and North Korea, the Philippines,and China challenging the status quo to the face of the U.S.

The Cold War continues to etch Asia’s map, while WWIImemories and issues are abused by post-Cold War politicsof nationalism and militarization. At this precarious time,what does Hiroshima mean?

When the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshimaand Nagasaki, my father was in the second grade at the ele-mentary school in Shimane, an adjacent prefecture toHiroshima. In his remote, mountainous village, he did notexperience any air raids and he knew little of Hiroshima.His wartime childhood consisted of teachers telling childrento go home from school hurriedly, not to play outside, andnot to wear white shirts to avoid American planes spottingthem. They could hardly study. Their homework was catch-ing grasshoppers, which were edible. The teacher collectedthem as food for soldiers.

The morning assembly was the most painful, my fathersays. Children recited the Imperial Script toward EmperorHirohito’s photo next to the school principal in formalblack; children quietly chuckled at the Script’s strange-sounding words, only to be harshly reprimanded by theteachers. Many villagers had family members who died onthe front lines or came back with dysfunctional bodies andmind. My father lost his baby sister, barely two years old, in

What should Hiroshima mean today?

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

Hiroshima, Continued on page 8

MPLS./ST. PAUL VETERANS FOR PEACE CHAPTER 27 FALL 2017 PAGE 7

by Joan Johnson

David Swanson shared some compelling insights with agroup of about 80 of us who came out in the early

morning of August 6th at Lyndale Park Peace Garden.Having spoken before very large assemblies and prominentpeople in the past, he said, “Here you are asking me to speakto hundreds of thousands of ghosts and billions of ghosts inwaiting; to think about this subject wisely, we must keep allof them in mind, as well asthose who tried to preventHiroshima and Nagasaki,those who survived, thosewho reported, those whoforced themselves toremember over and over inorder to educate others.”

My husband Steve,along with other VFPmembers, had been adocent at the LandmarkCenter’s “HiroshimaNagasaki” Exhibit a cou-ple years ago. I will neverforget the photographs, theessays, the maps thatshowed where bombslanded, the graphicdescriptions of carnage,the artwork, the poetry, thetaped recordings andmementos depicting thepost-bomb tragedy causedby our government, sup-ported by our tax dollars.This museum display madeit more “real” to me than anything else I had ever witnessedbefore. The stories of destruction and immense suffering,but also of immense courage, perseverance, and sacrifice —it all made a huge impact on me. I wish our leaders todaycould experience this exhibit the way I did.

�’�D�Y�L�G�� �V�S�R�N�H�� �R�I�� �W�K�H�� �I�R�O�N�V�� �U�H�V�S�R�Q�V�L�E�O�H�� �I�R�U�� �W�K�H�V�H�� �K�R�U���U�R�U�V���� �‡�1�L�F�H�� �S�H�R�S�O�H���� �’�H�F�H�Q�W�� �S�H�R�S�O�H���� �3�H�R�S�O�H�� �V�X�S�H�U�I�L�F�L�D�O�O�\�V�L�P�L�O�D�U���W�R�� �\�R�X����People who do not abuse their children ortheir pets. People perhaps like the commander of the U.S.Pacific Fleet who was asked last week if he would launch anuclear attack on China if President Trump ordered him to.His response was a very principled and reasonable ‘yes,’ he

would obey orders.” David went on to say, “If people don’tobey orders, the world falls apart. Therefore one must obeyorders, even when they rip the world apart — even illegalorders, orders that violate the UN Charter, orders that ignorethe Kellogg-Briand Pact (outlawing war), orders that anni-hilate forever all existence or memory of every beautifulchildhood memory and every child.”

Our Chapter 27 members rang bells 11 times in remem-brance of the Armistice signed after World War I. This was

followed by a time of silentreflection, thinking aboutthe victims of the nuclearbombs dropped on Japan in1945.

Renee Weeks-Wynne’sopening lines brought tearsto my eyes as she re-toldthe story of Sadako Sasakiand the Thousand Cranes.After describing the beauty,the purpose, the sustenanceof “Light” in the world, shewent on to describe thisnew “Light” — this man-made one: “On that day,the Light was not beautifulor true; people who lookedinto this Light becameblind, people within it ornear it were scorched;many hundreds of thou-sands lost their lives; otherswere maimed for the rest oftheir earthly lives; muchturmoil, tragedy and devas-tation resulted.”

This truly was the Light of Destruction and Death. OnAugust 6, 1945, Sadako had been only two years old whenthe atomic bomb was dropped on her city, Hiroshima. Shelater died of leukemia, fallout from the effects of thebomb’s radioactive carnage. Her story lives on because ofher will to persevere in the face of much pain and suffering.Not wanting to die, she was determined to fold 1,000 papercranes. She wanted to prove to the world that she could beatthe odds, and that peace was possible, that this kind of dev-astation and resulting illness never had to happen again to

Hiroshima / Nagasaki Commemoration

Three young girls from Nagasaki singing songs of peace.

Commemoration, Continued on page 9

PAGE 8 FALL 2017 MPLS./ST. PAUL VETERANS FOR PEACE CHAPTER 27

front of everyone’s eyes, to an illness that would have beeneasily treated, had there been medicine — medicine thatwas readily available in Japan before the war.

My father moved to Hiroshima in 1956 to attend a uni-versity there. Scars from the bomb were still everywhere.Streetcars zigzagged to avoid destroyed buildings andblocks. He bathed with people with heavy keloids in thebathhouse every day. For a decade, Hiroshima was a taboo.The U.S. Occupation censored public discussions ofHiroshima and Nagasaki, and the Japanese, fearful of A-bomb survivors, kept them at a distance and in silence. Itwas the irradiation of the Japanese fishing boat LuckyDragon No. 5 from the American nuclear testing on BikiniAtoll in 1954 that angered the Japanese and lifted the taboooff of Hiroshima. My father joined the leftist study group oncampus, which introduced him to many A-bomb victims.(Nobel Price laureate Kenzaburo Oe’s �+�L�U�R�V�K�L�P�D���1�R�W�H�Vis agood place to learn the politics behind this.)

After obtaining a Master’s in philosophy, my fatherbecame a producer at a major Hiroshima broadcasting com-pany and made programs with Japanese A-bomb victims inHiroshima, Los Angles, and the Dominican Republic (yes,they migrated far), anti-nuclear weapons activists, and thesecond-generation A-bomb victims. He has planted theaogiri trees globally. A music composer in his private life,he has contributed many songs to the cause.

He has been in the non-nuclear weapons movement for60 years. Yet, the world remains full of nuclear weapons.More countries want nuclear weapons. Japan has graduallyloosened up the restriction on the use of the Self DefenseForces, yielding to the pressure from conservatives and theU.S.

“It is demoralizing, to be honest,” my father says.“What keeps me going is my memory of now-deceased A-bomb victims and thoughts for grandchildren whose futureI feel responsible for.”

When I moved from Hiroshima to Osaka for college,my experience was the opposite of my father’s. Hiroshimadisappeared from my awareness. I was shocked that, on myfirst August 6 in Osaka, people did not stop for a silentprayer at 8:15 a.m. This mega city—and the rest of Japan—simply kept going. This was not because people did notcare; the early 1990s was a high point of progressive poli-tics, with all the major high school history textbooks includ-ing subjects like the Nanjing Massacre and the ComfortWomen, and the socialist prime minister officially apologiz-ing to Asian neighbors for Japan’s wartime aggressions.

You see, Hiroshima is a concept for those outside of thecity, no matter how powerful. Caring about the concept

from afar is surely important but not enough. It is differentfrom really sharing the anger and sadness that is etched deepinto the daily lives of effected people, which the readers ofthis publican know very well.

�7�K�L�V���L�V���Z�K�\���W�K�R�V�H���Z�K�R���H�[�S�H�U�L�H�Q�F�H�G���L�W���Q�H�H�G���W�R���V�S�H�D�N���O�R�X�G�O�\��This is why I, like many peace activists there, amdeeply concerned with Japan after my father’s generation isgone.

Lisa Yoneyama, professor at the University of Toronto,has examined the complex memory politics behind howHiroshima was transformed from the site of war to that ofpeace. Scholars have also investigated how Japan came toembrace nuclear power despite Hiroshima and Nagasaki.Political ambitions, bribes, business interest, pressure fromthe U.S., all played the tune of “prosperity” and “progress.”Fukushima reminded everyone in Japan (and the world) thatthe peaceful use of atoms is as irradiating as nuclearweapons. While the International Court of Justice rejectedMarshall Islanders’ contention against nuclear-possessingcountries’ failing to fulfill the nuclear disarmament agree-ment, North Korea’s current agitation is leading some, bothin Japan and the U.S., to support Japan’s potential nucleararms development. This is indeed a precarious time forJapan, Asia, and the world. �:�H�� �U�H�D�O�O�\�� �Q�H�H�G�� �W�R�� �D�V�N�� �Z�K�D�W�+�L�U�R�V�K�L�P�D���V�K�R�X�O�G���P�H�D�Q���W�R���W�K�H���Z�R�U�O�G�����P�R�U�H���W�K�D�Q���H�Y�H�U��

Hiroshima, from page 6

VFP members in the news by Steve McKeown

Former chapter President Larry Johnson had anexcellent letter to the editor printed on Sun. Aug. 6th inthe �7�U�L�E�X�Q�Habout arms merchants and war profiteering.Red Wing Chapter President Bill Habedank also had aletter published titled “Ban the Bomb” in the Red Wing�5�H�S�X�E�O�L�F�D�Q�� �(�D�J�O�Hon Aug. 12. Chapter member MikeMadden was featured as the cover story in �&�L�W�\���3�D�J�H�VAug. 9 and in the �6�W�����3�D�X�O���3�L�R�Q�H�H�U���3�U�H�V�Vin a columnwritten by Ruben Rosario on Aug. 7. Mike has beencharged with misdemeanor trespass at the airport whilehe was peacefully holding a sign welcoming Muslims.Many of us from our chapter were at the overfilledcourtroom in his support at a pretrial, which as we go topress is still to be decided on whether the judge willdrop the charges or proceed with the ludicrous charges.

MPLS./ST. PAUL VETERANS FOR PEACE CHAPTER 27 FALL 2017 PAGE 9

anyone else.Three young girls from Nagasaki sang songs of peace in

Japanese. We were blessed by their presence, and we couldfeel the common bonds of peace and good will between ourtwo countries, and the sense of urgency to never wage waragain. As I looked into their faces, I could see Sadako. Iimagined her singing with them, standing there in the midstof them, like the ghosts David spoke about. Sadako spoketo me through Renee’s recounting of her story and throughthe songs of the “Nagasaki Singers.”

The female duo Saturn Return Singers graced us withbeautiful harmonies too, as they sang three different songsto inspire and motivate us. One line from their first songcomes back to me again: “Keep me away from apathy whileI am still awake.”

As our group moved across the gardens to the PeaceBridge area, we sang a refrain with them: “This is our cry,

This is our prayer, Peace in the world.” On the walk, wecould pick up Haiku poem cards from stations along theway. Mine read “cicadas chirping / for the very last time /atomic explosion.”

I think of crickets chirping in the back yard, the neigh-bor’s dog whining for me to pet her, the neighbor kids ask-ing to play or pick raspberries, all of the unique bird callsI hold dear, the phone calls from my mother, sister, brotheror nieces, or my husband calling me to come witness anoth-er gorgeous brilliant orange summer sunset. Can I imagineall of these calls “for the very last time”? This is what hap-pens when there is nuclear war.

�0�D�Q�\���W�K�D�Q�N�V���W�R���W�K�H���S�U�R�J�U�D�P���S�D�U�W�L�F�L�S�D�Q�W�V���D�Q�G���H�V�S�H�F�L�D�O���O�\�� �-�R�$�Q�Q�H�� �%�O�D�W�F�K�O�H�\���� �Z�K�R�� �F�R�R�U�G�L�Q�D�W�H�G�� �D�Q�G�� �H�P�F�H�H�G�� �W�K�H�H�Y�H�Q�W��

Commemoration, from page 7

by Craig Wood

Penelope Gardner and I were the first ones to show up atthe Black Dog Cafe on the morning of Aug. 5th to dis-

tribute flyers about the Kellogg-Briand Pact, Minnesota'spledge to end war.

It wasn’t long before Chapter 27 members LarryJohnson, Vern Hall and Steve McKeown drifted in. We weresoon joined by a handful of visitors from out of town whowere speaking and conducting workshops at the third annu-al Democracy Convention in Minneapolis.

Between a lot of informative and pleasant conversa-tions, we passed out 500 flyers in less than two hours. Mostwho received our handouts didn’t know Frank Kellogg wasMinnesota’s only Nobel Peace Prize winner even thoughKellogg Blvd is only a block from the farmer’s market.Those who attended Kellogg High School of course knewwho he was and were quick to flash a smile and let us knowthat they were not going to be stumped on a pop quiz aboutFrank Kellogg. Almost everyone else seemed pleasantlysurprised and even curious.

It was interesting talking with author Pat Elder fromWashington D.C. about counter-recruiting while flyering.He, Penelope and I used a little levity when greeting others— a disarming tactic to let them know we weren’t insuffer-

able zealots. Elder mentioned that people in St. Paul are eas-ier to approach on the sidewalk than D.C. — “so manyignore you back there and still can’t break out of the moldof wearing traditional black suits.”

After the flyers were gone, we had a little open-airmeeting near the Black Dog Cafe. There were perhaps adozen of us and Larry had a bit more to say about distribut-ing KBP information. It’s always continuing educationwhen David Swanson is around, and Kathy Kelly helpedmaintain an interchange of jokes and stories with her Irishbrogue. What can I say; it’s always good to slap shoulderswith Ed Flaherty, a dedicated VFP member and beefsteak ofthe Iowa City Chapter.

Blue sky, wonderful people, fresh vegetables — not abad way to spend a Saturday morning.

�H�G�����Q�R�W�H�����6�F�R�W�W���6�K�D�S�L�U�R�����D���<�D�O�H���/�D�Z���3�U�R�I�H�V�V�R�U���Y�Z�D�V���D�O�V�R�W�K�H�U�H�����6�F�R�W�W���K�D�V���Z�U�L�W�W�H�Q���D���E�R�R�N���F�D�O�O�H�G���7�K�H���,�Q�W�H�U�Q�D�W�L�R�Q�D�O�L�V�W�V���Z�K�L�F�K�� �Z�D�V�� �S�X�E�O�L�V�K�H�G�� �R�Q�� �$�X�J���� �������� �W�K�H�� �D�Q�Q�L�Y�H�U�V�D�U�\�� �R�I�� �W�K�H�V�L�J�Q�L�Q�J���R�I���W�K�H���.�H�O�O�R�J�J���%�U�L�D�Q�G���3�D�F�W�����7�K�H���E�R�R�N���L�V���D�E�R�X�W���W�K�H�K�L�V�W�R�U�\���R�I���W�K�H���O�H�J�D�O�L�W�\���R�I���Z�D�U���X�Q�W�L�O���W�K�H���.�H�O�O�R�J�J���%�U�L�D�Q�G���3�D�F�W�E�H�F�D�P�H�� �O�D�Z���� �Z�K�L�F�K�� �H�V�W�D�E�O�L�V�K�H�G�� �W�K�H�� �E�D�V�L�V�� �I�R�U�� �,�Q�W�H�U�Q�D�W�L�R�Q�D�O�/�D�Z�� �D�Q�G�:�D�U�� �&�U�L�P�H�V���� �� �7�K�H�V�H�� �G�D�\�V���� �W�K�L�V�� �E�D�V�L�V�� �L�V�� �Y�H�U�\�� �S�U�H���F�D�U�L�R�X�V�����D�F�F�R�U�G�L�Q�J���W�R���K�L�P��

Kellogg Briand Goes To The Farmer's Market

MPLS./ST. PAUL VETERANS FOR PEACE CHAPTER 27 FALL 2017 PAGE 11

by Mary McNellis

The SOAW (School of America Watch) movement began28 years ago as a response to the people affected by the

political, economic, and military U.S. intervention inCentral America during the 1980s and 1990s. Sadly, the pat-terns of violence and forced migration established duringthe dirty wars of the 20th century have continued unabated.SOAW works to deepen our collective understanding ofmany systems of oppression – racism, colonialism, imperi-alism and capitalism. It denounces militarization in the U.S.and abroad and fights to restore the dignity of Black andBrown and Indigenous communities across the Americas.

After 26 years of history at the gates of Ft. Benning, lastOctober SOAW held its first bi-national Encuentro at themilitarized U.S./Mexico border of Nogales. Its mission is tochallenge the racist status quo and push back against U.S.intervention in Latin America. As attention is called to themilitarization of the border and Latin America, there is alsoa call for an end to state-sponsored terrorism and violenceagainst communities inside the U.S. Similarly, the mobi-lization at the border in Nogales is one more way to fight forthe closure of the School of the Americas/WHINSEC and anend to U.S. intervention in Latin America. The SOAW bat-tle cry is: BASTA! ENOUGH!

This November 10-12, all are invited to Nogales for thesecond Border Encuentro: two stages – one on each side of

the border – but one program, one voice. Join human rightsactivists, torture survivors, union workers, veterans, com-munity organizers, migrants, faith communities, studentsand educators from across the Americas in demanding:

*An end to US economic, military and political inter-vention in Latin America;

*Demilitarization and divestment of the borders;*An end to the racist systems of oppression that crimi-

nalize and kill migrants, refugees and communities of color; *Respect, dignity, justice and the right to self-determi-

nation of communities;*An end to Plan Merida & Alliance for Prosperity.

Tentative Schedule of Events:Friday, November 10: Vigil at Eloy Detention Center,

Welcome and Workshops in Tucson;Saturday, November 11: Veteran-led march in Ambos

Nogales, Workshops, Rally, Concert;Sunday, November 12: Vigil in Ambos Nogales,

Puppetistas and more!

Don’t forget to bring your passport if you want to attendevents on the Sonoran side of the border. For more infocheck out the SOAW website or call 202-710-2343 or 202-469-1696. Hope to see you at the border Nov. 10-12!

SOAW 2017 Encuentro at the Border - November 10-12

Puppetistas from last year’s Encuentro

PAGE 12 FALL 2017 MPLS./ST. PAUL VETERANS FOR PEACE CHAPTER 27

The peace index$300 million for Star Warsby Frank Fuller

What a strange time. Nazis marching in the streets tostop a city from removing a statue of Robert E. Lee.

Psychiatrists debating a professional rule prohibiting themfrom diagnosing the mental illness of people they haven’tseen in person. They want to tell Americans that their pres-ident is mentally ill, but professional ethics are keepingthem from doing that. About half of all Republicans thinkit would be OK to cancel the 2020 elections because theybelieve there is rampant voter fraud out there, even thoughit has been proven there isn’t. And our president seems tothink war withVenezuela would makegood sense.

Amid all this, budg-et cuts continue. And asthis newsletter is goingto press, we don’t knowif the government will shut down because of spending caplimits and the inability of Congress to keep the governmentopen. We also don’t know if the government will default onits loans, which could cause major problems worldwide. Soa look at the missle defense system might seem dated andunimportant when the newsletter comes out.

But spending on a missile defense system has surpassed$300 billion over the last 30 years, and there is really noth-ing to show for it. No one seems sure if missiles will getthrough it or not, because tests are rigged to make it seemmore accurate and functional than it is. So we might notlearn what a boondoggle it is until our president does some-thing else really stupid.

So what are we giving up when we spend $300 billion(and counting) on a system that probably won’t protectmuch of anything, except corporate profits?

Trump wants to �F�X�W�� �1�,�+�� �I�X�Q�G�L�Q�Jby 20 percent, orabout $5.8 billion. This would devastate scientific research,which has already seen its budget stagnate over the years asmilitary spending has grown. On top of other cuts to med-ical and scientific research, America would be abandoningits position as a leader in scientific research. There arealready indications that scientists are moving to other coun-

tries where scientific research is much better funded.Trump also proposes to �F�X�W�� �W�K�H�� �7�H�H�Q�� �3�U�H�J�Q�D�Q�F�\

�3�U�H�Y�H�Q�W�L�R�Q���3�U�R�J�U�D�P, which gives grants totaling $89 mil-lion (a pittance compared to the defense budget) to fightteen pregnancy. For 25 years, teen pregnancy has beendeclining in the U.S. for a number of reasons, including sexeducation in schools and better access to birth control.Ending this program will certainly jeopardize that.

In a related topic, Trump signed into law a provisionthat allows states to �G�H�I�X�Q�G�� �3�O�D�Q�Q�H�G�� �3�D�U�H�Q�W�K�R�R�G. Muchhas been written about the Republican jihad against PlannedParenthood. But not funding it at the state level will impact

women’s healthadversely. Clinics thatoperate in areas of thecountry that are under-served will close andwomen will find them-selves without access to

doctors and basic diagnostic tests. This will create thirdworld medical conditions in many parts of the U.S. forwomen’s health. (And speaking of third world medical con-ditions, did you know that a growing number of Americansare now treating their cuts and infections with animal antibi-otics, purchased in pet stores, because they cannot afford tosee a doctor or to buy prescribed antibiotics?)

Trump signed into law an �H�[�S�D�Q�G�H�G�� �J�O�R�E�D�O�� �J�D�J�� �U�X�O�Hagainst funding abortions. In the past, this rule kept organ-izations that provided family planning from getting U.S.funding if they were involved in abortion in anyway. UnderTrump, the rule now impacts any organization that providesmedical services. The online magazine Slate wrote, “Ratherthan impacting $600 million in U.S. foreign aid, the globalgag rule will affect $9.5 billion. Organizations working onAIDS, malaria, or maternal and child health will have tomake sure that none of their programs involves so much asan abortion referral.”

�7�K�H�� �&�K�L�O�G�U�H�Q�¶�V�� �+�H�D�O�W�K�� �,�Q�V�X�U�D�Q�F�H�� �3�U�R�J�U�D�P, whichprovides health insurance for children in families withincomes too high for Medicaid, expires at the end ofSeptember. So, of course, Republicans will hold these chil-dren hostage to try to repeal once again parts of Obamacare.Currently CHIP provides insurance for 8.9 million children.

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MPLS./ST. PAUL VETERANS FOR PEACE CHAPTER 27 FALL 2017 PAGE 13

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by Barry Riesch membership chair for Chapter 27

The question has once again risen about why we atChapter 27 do not charge membership dues or have localmembership. One of the most important reasons is thatChapter 27 is not the National Office. We are just a singlechapter in a national (now international) organization. Inorder to be a full or associate member of Veterans ForPeace, one most join on the national level and then they areautomatically a member of their closest chapter or serve atlarge if no chapter exists.

We at Chapter 27 for a period of time had local memberdues in addition to the national membership, and the resultwas that many seemed to think that by joining the localchapter they were joining the national. But this was not thecase. Some also did not want to joint he National becausethey wanted to support our local chapter. Facing much crit-icism on the national level and confusion locally, we decid-

ed to discontinue this practice. We now ask members tosend their DD214s along with a membership application tothe National office. Associate members just need to send ina completed application.

It is important for members and supporters locally tounderstand that VFP is a national and international organi-zation, not just our local Chapter 27. We are connected to alarge network of veterans around the U.S. and the world, allworking diligently to educate on the costs of war and toabolish war. Very important work is being done by all. Wedo appreciate local support and are open to whatever con-tributions you want to send our way. We feel that this ismore helpful to us than having a local dues or membership.

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Local versus national membership dues

by Mary McNellis

The first Democracy Convention, organized by theLiberty Tree Foundation, occurred in 2011 in the weeksbuilding up to Occupy Wall Street, against the backdrop ofthe turbulent Wisconsin Uprising. Since then a myriad ofgrass-root movements has emerged including Black LivesMatter and the People’s Climate marches. As a result of the2016 election and the obvious failure of the political insti-tutions of the U.S. even more movements have been born,like The Women’s March.

This past August, the third Democracy Convention washeld on the West Bank of the U of M. Sponsors includedLiberty Tree Foundation for the Democratic Revolution,Voting Justice, Citizens for Global Solutions, Free SpeechTV, The Workable World Trust, Alliance for Democracy,American Monetary Institute, Center for PartnershipStudies, Move to Amend and World Beyond War. Speakersincluded: Kathy Kelly, Leah Bolger, Norman Soloman, JackNelson-Pallmeyer, David Swanson, Gar Alpertovitz, MedeaBenjamin and Jill Stein, to name but a few. VFP#27 speak-ers included Larry Johnson, Steve McKeown, Dick Foleyand Coleen Rowley. Keith Ellison took time away from hisbirthday celebration to address the crowd Saturday night.Simultaneous workshops covering a wide variety of topicswere offered: Peace and Democracy, Media Democracy,Representative Democracy, Education United forDemocracy, Earth Rights and Global Democracy, RacialJustice for Democracy, Community and EconomicDemocracy and Democratizing the Constitution.

Given the space restraints of this article, it is not possi-ble to adequately summarize even one of the many plenariesor workshops. Instead I will quote the eloquent observationsstated in the program from Democratizing the Constitution:“Current governmental, economic and social institutions –and the regulations, laws lawmakers and corporate leadersbehind them – legitimize, if not legalize, injustice, state-sponsored violence and environmental plunder and devasta-tion. Justice is frequently unequally administered based onrace, citizenship and income. The Supreme Court’s guttingof the Voting Rights Act, which increased voter disenfran-chisement by states and impacted the last presidential elec-tion, will worsen. The epic U.S. and global wealth gapdiminishes both economic opportunity and political influ-ence for the majority of the population. The ability of cor-porations and the wealthy to dominate our political institu-tions and processes at the expense of the public is increas-

ingly due to Supreme Court-decided corporate constitution-al rights and the doctrine that money is equivalent to freespeech. Public assets are privatized/corporatized. Hugecampaign contributions are legalized bribery, sanctioned bythe courts. Citizen-driven efforts to pass laws protectingcommunities, workers, consumers and the environment areoverturned by the courts as violating corporate “constitu-tional rights.”

On Sunday morning, Aug. 6, there was a memorial pro-gram and bell-ringing at Lyndale Park Peace Garden com-memorating the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshimaand Nagasaki, with remarks given by David Swanson.

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2017 DEMOCRACY CONVENTION: Universalizing Resistance, Democratizing Power!

PAGE 14 FALL 2017 MPLS./ST. PAUL VETERANS FOR PEACE CHAPTER 27

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MPLS./ST. PAUL VETERANS FOR PEACE CHAPTER 27 FALL 2017 PAGE 15

by Bill Habedank, Exec. Dir., VFP 115

On July 15th, at the Hobgoblin Barn in Red Wing, MN,the 15th annual Peacestock took place. Veterans for Peace,Chapters 115 and 27, combined efforts to host anotherexcellent event, something attendees continually advise theorganizers. On a somewhat hot day, those in attendancewere kept more or less comfortable with air conditioningefficiently run with the aid of solar panels.

There were two highly acclaimed speakers. In themorning, Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, a professor at St. ThomasUniversity and author spoke on the Peacestock theme “TheCost of War” a subject dear to his heart. We were given thewhere and how to effect change in dismantling the perma-nent warfare state. He stated that �P�L�O�L�W�D�U�L�V�P���K�D�V���E�H�F�R�P�H�W�K�H���G�R�P�L�Q�D�Q�W���U�H�O�L�J�L�R�Q���L�Q���W�K�H���8���6.

After the noon break we were highly entertained by the

music of The Bonnie and the Clydes led by VFP’s dearfriend Bill McGrath. Bill, I believe, has never missed aPeacestock event going back to the days when it was calledPigstock.

Our next speaker was Bruce Gagnon, Coordinator ofthe Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power inSpace and fellow Veteran For Peace. He primarily spoke ofthe demonization of Russia and China, showing theweapons the United States was deploying all around thosetwo countries. He said that all U.S. efforts appear offensivein nature.

If you missed Peacestock, put July 14, 2018 on yourcalendars so as to not miss next year’s event. Planning isalready happening. It will be a very busy summer for VFP27 and 115. Go to www.peacestockvfp.org to see video ofthis year's program.

2017 Peacestock another great success

Our newly renovated bus made the trek to Peacestock in July.

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ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Fall 2017 Newsletter

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Support Mayday Books Find a wide range of books and periodicals at 15%

off cover price. All the time!

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Mayday Books has been a consistent and sig-nificant supporter of Chapter 27 for many

years. The volunteer staff has provided helpwith mailings and has donated books for theuse of our group. It is also a great place todrop in and have a cup of coffee and talk

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