| Revision as of 03:43, 23 September 2004 editSEWilco (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers24,018 edits →Winter Soldier Investigation: presentation of gathered testimony. Ignored -- boycott implies coordinated planning.← Previous edit | Revision as of 03:49, 23 September 2004 edit undo209.86.247.242 (talk) Clarified Jan "Barry" Crumb - note, included text is not under copyrightNext edit → | ||
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| ==History== | ==History== | ||
| VVAW was founded by |
VVAW was founded by six ] ]s, including Jan "Barry" Crumb, Mark Donnelly, David Braum, in ] in ] ] after they marched together in an ] ] ] demonstration. On June 1, 1967, the six men gathered in Barry's apartment to form Vietnam Veterans Against the War. Another vet associated with the early days of VVAW is Carl Rogers. Rogers held a press conference upon his return from his Vietnam service as a chaplain's assistant announcing his opposition to the war. Barry recruited him and at some point he became "vice president" of VVAW. Other early influential members who are, John Talbot, Art Blank, Steve Greene and Frank (Rocky) Rocks. | ||
| It was organized to voice the growing opposition among returning servicemen and women to the still-raging war in Indochina, and grew rapidly to a membership of over 40,000 throughout the United States as well as active duty GIs stationed in Vietnam. Through ongoing actions and grassroots organization, VVAW exposed the 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 ] to deal with traumatic after-effects of war, setting the example for readjustment counselling 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. | |||
| The VVAW believe that service to their country and communities did not end when they were discharged. They remain committed to the struggle for peace and for social and economic justice for all people. | |||
| == Operation RAW == | == Operation RAW == | ||
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| The VVAW helpfully put the FBI on its mailing list in ] ], ostensibly in order to reduce the government's expenses so those could be put to better use. Membership was over 20,000 just after the WSI event. The first mailing was of the Winter Soldier Investigation invitation. | The VVAW helpfully put the FBI on its mailing list in ] ], ostensibly in order to reduce the government's expenses so those could be put to better use. Membership was over 20,000 just after the WSI event. The first mailing was of the Winter Soldier Investigation invitation. | ||
| In January 1971, VVAW sponsored ''The ]'' to |
In January 1971, VVAW sponsored ''The ]'' to gather testimony from soldiers about war crimes being committed in Southeast Asia as a result of American war policies. Intended as a public event, it was boycotted by much of the mainstream media, although the ''Detroit Free Press'' covered it daily and immediately began investigating what was being said. | ||
| :Veterans applying for participation in the investigation were asked if they witnessed or participated in: | :Veterans applying for participation in the investigation were asked if they witnessed or participated in: | ||
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| :Treatment of civilians and as prisoners | :Treatment of civilians and as prisoners | ||
| This event was financially supported by the efforts of several celebrity peace activists. Winter Soldier Investigation stories were read into the Congressional Record by Senator Hatfield. In 1972, VVAW continued antiwar ], and released ''Winter Soldier'', a ] ] ] ] showing participants in activities at the 1971 event. | This event was financially supported by the efforts of several celebrity peace activists. Winter Soldier Investigation stories were read into the Congressional Record by Senator Hatfield. In 1972, VVAW continued antiwar ], and released ''Winter Soldier'', a ] ] ] ] showing participants in activities at the 1971 event. | ||
| == Dewey Canyon III - Washington, D.C., April 1971 == | == Dewey Canyon III - Washington, D.C., April 1971 == | ||
Revision as of 03:49, 23 September 2004
Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) is a tax-exempt non-profit corporation, originally created to oppose the Vietnam War. VVAW currently describes itself as a national veterans' organization that campaigns for peace, justice, and the rights of all United States military veterans. It publishes a twice-yearly newsletter The Veteran, previously published more frequently as 1st Casualty (1971-2) and then as Winter Soldier (1973-5).
History
VVAW was founded by six Wietnam veterans, including Jan "Barry" Crumb, Mark Donnelly, David Braum, in New York City in June 1967 after they marched together in an April 1967 anti-war demonstration. On June 1, 1967, the six men gathered in Barry's apartment to form Vietnam Veterans Against the War. Another vet associated with the early days of VVAW is Carl Rogers. Rogers held a press conference upon his return from his Vietnam service as a chaplain's assistant announcing his opposition to the war. Barry recruited him and at some point he became "vice president" of VVAW. Other early influential members who are, John Talbot, Art Blank, Steve Greene and Frank (Rocky) Rocks.
It was organized to voice the growing opposition among returning servicemen and women to the still-raging war in Indochina, and grew rapidly to a membership of over 40,000 throughout the United States as well as active duty GIs stationed in Vietnam. Through ongoing actions and grassroots organization, VVAW exposed the 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 counselling 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.
The VVAW believe that service to their country and communities did not end when they were discharged. They remain committed to the struggle for peace and for social and economic justice for all people.
Operation RAW
During September 4-7, 1970, Operation RAW ("Rapid American Withdrawal") involved a march from Morristown, NJ, to Valley Forge State Park. Mock search and destroy missions were planned during the march. Members of the Youth International Party (YIP) were invited to participate as blindfolded "Vietcong" prisoners, but decided not to participate because such a passive role would be a "bore" and a "drag". Sponsors included Senators George McGovern and Edmund Muskie, Rep. John D. Conyers, Jr., Paul O'Dwyer, Jane Fonda, Mark Lane, and Don Sutherland. Scheduled speakers were John Kerry, Joe Kennedy, Rev. James Bevel, Mark Lane, Jane Fonda, and Don Sutherland. Congressman Allard Lowenstein, Mike Lerner, and Army First Lt. Louis Font also spoke.
Winter Soldier Investigation
The VVAW helpfully put the FBI on its mailing list in January 1971, ostensibly in order to reduce the government's expenses so those could be put to better use. Membership was over 20,000 just after the WSI event. The first mailing was of the Winter Soldier Investigation invitation.
In January 1971, VVAW sponsored The Winter Soldier Investigation to gather testimony from soldiers about war crimes being committed in Southeast Asia as a result of American war policies. Intended as a public event, it was boycotted by much of the mainstream media, although the Detroit Free Press covered it daily and immediately began investigating what was being said.
- Veterans applying for participation in the investigation were asked if they witnessed or participated in:
- Search and Destroy Mission
- Burning of Village
- The destruction of crops or animals
- The killing of villagers
- Harassment & Interdiction Fire
- Pacification program
- Recon by fire
- "Rat patrols"
- Any chemical agents used
- Any contact with deformed babies
- Distribution of contaminated food
- POW treatment
- Medical treatment
- Any torture used
- Prisoners shot
- Prisoners thrown from helicopters
- Prisoners denied food, water, or medical treatment
- Orders to not take prisoners or dispose of prisoners
- Treatment of civilians and as prisoners
This event was financially supported by the efforts of several celebrity peace activists. Winter Soldier Investigation stories were read into the Congressional Record by Senator Hatfield. In 1972, VVAW continued antiwar protests, and released Winter Soldier, a 16mm black and white documentary movie showing participants in activities at the 1971 event.
Dewey Canyon III - Washington, D.C., April 1971
In terms of media coverage and Vietnam veteran participation, Dewey Canyon III transcended the Winter Soldier Investigation and any previous VVAW action. VVAW members defied orders that they not camp on The Mall, led by Gold Star mothers (mothers of soldiers killed in Vietnam) they placed wreaths in Arlington Cemetery, demonstrated at the Pentagon and Supreme Court, and threw their medals onto the steps of the Capitol Building. John Kerry, as VVAW spokesman and executive, testified against the war during hearings before a Senate Committee.
Kansas City meeting
During a meeting in Kansas City in mid November 1971, Scott Camil a radical key leader of Vietnam Veterans Against the War proposed the assassination of the most conservative members of Congress, as well as any other powerful opponents of the antiwar movement.
According to interviews with VVAW members who were present at the Kansas City meeting, Camil organized something he called “The Phoenix Project,” named after the original Phoenix Project operations during the Vietnam War used to destroy the Viet Cong leadership by targeted assassination. Mr. Camil’s Phoenix Project planned to execute the Southern senatorial leadership that was backing the war including John Tower, Strom Thurmond, and John Stennis. The assignations were to be executed during the Senate Christmas recess. The plan was voted down.
End of Vietnam war
By 1973, US combat involvement in Vietnam ended, and VVAW changed its emphasis, to advocate amnesty for draft resisters and dissenters. President Jimmy Carter eventually granted an amnesty in 1980.
Similarly-named different group
The relatively small group Vietnam Veterans Against the War Anti-Imperialist (VVAW-AI) is not a faction, caucus or part of VVAW. The VVAW web site describes VVAW-AI as "the creation of an obscure, ultra-left sect called the Revolutionary Communist Party ... designed to pimp off of VVAW's history of struggle."
Further reading
- Kerry, John, and Vietnam Veterans Against the War. The New Soldier. MacMillan Publishing Company: October 1971. ASIN 002073610X
See also
External links
- VVAW web site
- The Winter Soldier Investigation
- Internet Movie Database - Winter Soldier
- Freekerrybook.org - Organization dedicated to making voters aware of the book The New Soldier