Download PDF of this full issue: v7n3.pdf (8.6 MB)

"Patriotic Days" Do Not Cut It!

By VVAW

Two of the most patriotic days in the government's arsenal is Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day.

Memorial Day was established after the Civil War. It has become the traditional day to honor all of America's war dead. Due to the widespread sentiment against the Vietnam War, it was often officially forgotten, lest the public be reminded of casualty tolls.

Armed Forces Day was established in the early 50s, during the Cold War period, as a way for the political rulers to remind the public of the need for "national duty" and for a strong standing military apparatus. On this day, military bases have "open house" public displays and ceremonies. It too fell into disuse until recently.

In 1977, with the global contention sharpening between the US and the Soviet Union in southern Africa and in the Persian Gulf area, the theme of these two days will be a common one. In short, that more than ever the US needs a strong military, that's second to none. And since the volunteer armed forces are having difficulties meeting recruitment goals we should be indebted to the military personnel we have. That's what they'll be saying. We should hurry and fill their quotas.

We in VVAW came together after realizing that there is no honor--national or otherwise--in fighting a war to plunder the people of foreign countries. It was at the height of the Vietnam War that we first began to use Armed Forces Day to expose the role of the military as a tool of the US corporate bosses in reigning..politically and economically..over the world. We continue to do so today.

Both the US and the Soviet union are preparing for another war. Its seeds can be seen in the urgent military appropriations, in the political confrontations over southern Africa, and in the uneasiness along the Eastern European borders. This war will be one of common plunder to see which superpower will be the world's number one imperialist power.

In opposition to this, VVAW will be holding actions around the country to raise the slogan "Fight the Rich; Don't Fight Their Wars."