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What Is VVAW/WSO?

By VVAW

Vietnam Veterans Against the War/Winter Soldier Organization (VVAW/WSO) is an international organization working to build a fighting movement of veterans and GIs to struggle against the exploitation and oppression of US imperialism, both a home and abroad. WE are made up of vets and non-vets, GIs and civilians, men and women.

Veterans and GIs have absolutely no interest in maintaining the system of imperialism, and have nothing in common with the handful of riche who own and run it. The only law this system know is the law of profit, and the ruling class will do anything to insure and increase their take. VVAW/WSO knows this only too well from the struggle to put an end to the war in Indochina, a war that was not fought for the Indochinese or American people. Millions of poor and working people were forced or conned into the military to fight for the profits and domination of the imperialists over the resources and wealth of Southeast Asia.

GIs rose up and rebelled against being used this way, and rebelled against the unbearable conditions (harassment, oppression of national minorities, oppression of women) that exist in the military. As ex-GIs, veterans have found joblessness, meatmarket VA hospital, a miniscule GI Bill; and veterans are pissed about it. Everyday, vets and GIs are standing up to the Brass and VA bureaucrats, standing up to the courts and the cops; and fighting for a better life.

VVAW/WSO has declared "War on the VA" and is fighting hard to see that veterans get jobs, health care and education. We have also taken on the military, organizing ourselves and other GIs to fight back. But we are clear on one thing: that as long as the system of imperialism still exists, the VA can never serve the needs of vets; and as long as the military is the bludgeon of the ruling class, GIs will never be fighting in their own interests or in the interests of the American people.

VVAW/WSO is a weapon in the hands of veterans and GIs, a weapon to join with workers, students, women and oppressed people to defeat the system that lets a band of thieves steal the wealth of the world. We stand ready to fight VA cutbacks, fight for GI rights, to fight this system tooth and nail until it is ground into dust for all time. We have a common enemy: the ruling class and its system--imperialism; and the people getting stronger every day while this rotten system grows weaker. THE PEOPLE UNITED WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED!! JOIN US!! For more information contact the local VVAW/WSO chapter in your area, regional office or the National Office at 827 W. Newport St., Chicago, IL 60657, Tel (312) 935-2129.