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Operation County Fair

By VVAW

Operation County Fair has been voted in by the National Steering Committee as an ongoing program to provide medical care for the people of Bogue Chitto, Alabama; to strengthen our bonds with 3rd world peoples' and to create new unity, energy and direction within VVAW. This program is directly related to our 8th and 10th objectives. The medical program was initiated last summer by community people, who had previously worked on the Poor Peoples' Campaign of 1968, on a donated 10 acre farm. Most of the people who will be served are poor, rural blacks who survive on similar subsistence farms.

VVAW was asked to participate shortly after the Miami Republican Convention. VVAW's role will be to provide assistance aimed at allowing the people of this area to control and provide their own medical services. The California region is responsible for immediate administrative affairs and the Alabama region is to assist in incorporation, setting up local staffing and control and create a means of continued fundings. All other regions should must all the staff, funding and supplies they can.

Operation County Fair has four major aims. The emphasis is being placed upon the proposed clinic which will have 3 examination rooms, 2 consultation rooms, 4 bathrooms, a lab, a pharmacy, a records and reception room and a waiting and child care room. All services will be free. A screening team will be trained to uncover diseases which normally go untreated locally, among these are anemia, T.B., rickets, parasites and dental problems. A van-type vehicle will serve as rural medical transportation to bring help to patient who can't travel, for emergencies and as the Screening teams' transportation. Also, under the Health Advocates Program, the advocate would accompany the patient to make sure treatment was prompt and proper and that all the patient's rights were respected.

NEEDS

Funds are desperately needed for operating expenses, construction of the Clinic proper, purchase of a vehicle, and medical supplies. Donations of medical supplies are welcome and needed. We also need staff who will be willing to work for subsistence pay and satisfaction (doctors, nurses, paramedics, dentists, medical and dental students, etc.) We would also welcome any helpful advice or information.

ROLE OF VVAW MEMBERS

VVAW often uses military type code names to signify actions with opposite goals. Operation County Fair was derived from military terminology for limited medical aid programs created in Vietnam and combined with political indoctrination. We all know the horrors of forced relocation which was the next tactic after this "pacification" plans failure. This action gives Vietnam Veterans, especially those with paramedical training a chance to use their military training to help and serve instead of maim and kill.

For information or donations Contact:

Operation County Fair
1317 14th Ave.
Tuscaloosa, Ala. 35401

or contact the VVAW/WSO regional office in California or the VVAW/WSO National Office.