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Vet's Day Activities

By VVAW

Denver - 83 VVAW members arrested for peacefully attempting to join in Veterans Day parade sponsored by the United Veterans Council. The VVAW had been denied permission from the UVC and the city parade.

St. Louis - Over 100 VVAW members assembled on the steps of Veterans Memorial in the Municipal Plaza. After a short program, the vets threw all their combat medals into a cardboard box and marched to the post office and mailed the awards to Nixon.

New York - More than 300 VVAW members turned the traditional pro-war celebration by the American Legion at Eisenhower Park into a solemn anti-war rally. The vets spoke from the rostrum, chanted "Thou shalt not kill", during the chaplain's blessing of the war, and laid a symbolic coffin at the nearby war memorial.

Killen, Texas - (Fort Hood) 150 VVAW members, 125 of them active duty GI's, were arrested for marching without a permit. A permit for the peace march had been denied by the City Council. Some of those arrested are still in jail.

Chicago - Led by a paralyzed Vietnam Vet in his wheelchair, over 500 vets, GI's, and supporters marched down State Street into the heart of the city. In marked contrast to usual VFW/Legion parades, there were no bands, no marching in step, and no cheers from the bystanders. As the cry "BRING OUR BROTHERS HOME" echoed over and over down the narrow streets, the onlookers stared silently.

Albuquerque - Two dozen VVAW members and wives joined in the traditional Veterans Day ceremonies at the New Mexico State Fair. After joining the vets parade and participating in a flag-raising ceremony, the VVAW leafleted on the fairgrounds for the rest of the day.

San Francisco - 50 VVAW members denied permission to place a wreath at the Presidio military cemetery. Armed MP's turned the group away, knocking down a blind marine vet who had come with a Vietnam vet's widow to lay the wreath. A veterans peace float was attacked by the San Francisco police, and six VVAW members were hospitalized with injuries, and two were arrested. One brother remains in serious condition from a blood clot caused by police nightsticks.

New Orleans - 34 members of the VVAW were arrested for attempting to join the Greater New Orleans Veterans Council parade. The NOVC had refused the VVAW permission, and the city too denied the group a march permit. Over 100 anti-war vets marched anyway, their hands tied to show their dedication to non-violence.

Fort Campbell, Kentucky - Over 400 vets, 320 of them active duty GI's from the 173rd Airborne Brigade, staged a peace march on Veterans Day. At a rally, the soldiers formed a GI forum, and were entertained by Country Joe McDonald.

Anniston, Alabama - 100 vets, 75 of them active duty GI's and WACs from Fort McClellan, marched from the fort to a nearby park for a peace rally.

Tuscon - 70 vets and GI's from the Fort Huachaca and Davis Monthan AFB, joined by 600 supporters, marched through rain from Himmel Park to Randolph Park for a peace rally and fair.

Fort Bliss - Over 150 active duty vets participated in a Veterans Day rally on the University of Texas campus, then joined a motorcade to the Fort Bliss National Cemetery. Armed riot troops prevented a planned memorial service inside, so it was held outside the locked gate.