What Is VVAW-WSO

By VVAW

Vietnam Veterans Against the War began in 1967 in New York City when sex anti-war veterans march in a demonstration under the banner "Vietnam Veterans Against the War." This first public action was followed by many more in the years to come.

Operation Rapid American Withdrawal (RAW) was a forced march by 150 vets from Trenton, N.J. to Valley Forge. This march, in the fall of 1970, was one of the earliest national VVAW actions. Along the march route vets conducted mock "search and destroy" missions, interrogation of prisoners, and other lessons well learned in Vietnam. During Operation RAW the original objectives of VVAW were formulated.

The trial of Lt. Calley was a major force behind convening the Winter Soldier Investigation into American War Crimes committed in Southeast Asia. This investigation, held in Detroit in January 1971, saw over 150 veterans testifying about war crimes they had committed. The message to the American people was clear: My Lai was not an aberration but the calculated result of American imperialistic policy in Vietnam. Several congressional inquiries, a book and 3 documentary movies came out of the WSI.

With the spring of 1971 came Dewey Canyon III, a limited incursion into the halls of Congress. Dewey Canyon I and II had taken place in Southeast Asia without the knowledge of consent of the American people; VVAW was now determined to be heard. For a week, members of VVAW lobbied with Congressmen, testified in hearings, performed guerilla theater, and engaged the people of Washington, D.C. in a continuing dialogue. On Friday, 1100 vets returned the medals they had been awarded by the government for military service. This was the final break, and the return of the medals signified the ultimate act of revulsion for what these medals stood for.

The summer of 1971 saw a general lull in anti-war activity the country over. VVAW began to move in a new direction--into our communities. We began the process of learning that the war was only a symptom, that as long as the American economic structure could profit from the exploitation of working and third world people at home and around the world, wars like Vietnam would continue. During all of this, however, we did not forget about the war. Christmas, 1971, found 16 members of VVAW holding the Statue of Liberty captive. The war was again front page news.

VVAW took part in actions at both the Democratic and Republican Conventions. Our demonstrations there were both legal and peaceful. We went to Miami Beach with the people's most dangerous weapon, the truth--and to prevent the people from hearing that truth, the government had to use spies, infiltrators, and agents to provoke violence.

When Coronation (Inauguration) Day 1973 arrived, VVAW again returned to Washington. Over 5,000 people strong, we marched, signed the 9-point peace agreement with the Vietnamese people, and returned to our communities.

The signing of the peace treaty by our government has left us with no illusions about the future. We were the sailors in the Gulf of Tonkin in 1964, and there are brothers and sisters in the military today who may well be participants in a future Gulf of Tonkin incident. We have learned that only a radical change in the system of this country can possibly prevent the wars of the future.

As we learned what was behind the Vietnam War, and as we went into our communities to work, we found people who agreed with our objectives but who were not veterans (though all Americans are in fact Vietnam veterans). To broaden our base of membership, we added "Winter Soldier Organization" to our name to become the present Vietnam Veterans Against the War/Winter Soldier Organization.

WHAT IS VVAW/WSO DOING TODAY?
National projects of VVAW/WSO include work in military counseling, securing unconditional amnesty for the American victims of the Indochina War (exiles, draft and military resisters, people with less-than-honorable discharges), volunteer work in VA hospitals, setting up rap groups to help our brothers and sisters with Post-Vietnam Struggle (PVS), building and staffing a medical clinic in Bogue Chito, Alabama, and supporting the United Front of Cairo, Illinois. Local chapters work on various community projects and almost every chapter is involved in work around political prisoners and repression in the community.

HOW IS VVAW/WSO OPERATED?
The most basic and important participant in the operation of VVAW/WSO is the individual member. The members elect chapter coordinators or representatives who are responsible for the local operation. Each chapter is represented at Regional meetings which are held at least four times a year. Each region is the responsibility of a regional coordinator or regional collective. Regions are represented on the National Steering Committee, a group that meets three times a year to formulate policy for the organization. The regional representatives elect the national collective. This collective operates the VVAW/WSO national office and serves as the functional head of the organization between national steering committee meetings.

HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER
There is one basic requirement for membership in VVAW/WSO: agreement with the ten objectives and a willingness to work toward their implementation. To join, contact the national office or your regional address as listed above.