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Memorial Day 1999, Milwaukee

By Dave Kettenhofen

The VVAW Milwaukee Chapter pulled double-duty over this year's Memorial Day weekend. On Sunday they took part in a protest rally, initiated by the DAV, over federal budget cuts of veterans' health care benefits. Then on Monday they participated in the annual Memorial Day ceremonies held at the VA's Wood National Cemetery. Each event drew between fifteen and twenty Milwaukee Chapter members.

The Sunday rally outside the main entrance of the VA Hospital in Wood, Wisconsin brought out about 200 veterans and their supporters. Speakers pointed out that President Clinton proposed freezing federal spending for veterans' health care at $17.3 billion, yet at the same time called for new health care initiatives. These new programs would have to be paid for with cuts in other VA programs.

"We can't stay at a flat-line budget and make it work," said a speaker from the DAV. "There's an obligation to take care of those who served."

Another charged that the government is committing developmental genocide against veterans. "Developmental genocide is undertaken for economic gain. A government might use this type of genocide against people who may have an undesirable drain on the federal funds, such as poor people, veterans, and old people."

All of Wisconsin's congressmen and senators were invited to address the rally but only one found the time to show up. Democratic congressman Tom Barrett of Milwaukee addressed the gathering and pledged to support a bill calling for a $3 billion increase in the VA's budget. He was widely applauded and thanked for his support. Other politician's names were called out, accompanied by jeers from those in attendance.

All participants of the rally were given pre-stamped postcards to send to their legislators. The cards read, "I am writing to express my displeasure with our government's decision to flat-line the VA budget for the next three years. The VA's budget needs to be at minimum increased by $3 billion to keep pace with the cost of inflation, the increased number of veterans seeking care, and the type of care required for treatment. If the budget is not revised, we will soon see closing of facilities, layoffs of dedicated personnel, reduction in access of services, elimination of services, and erosion of the quality of care. Budget restraint must not be at the cost of quality care for veterans."

On Monday, the Milwaukee Chapter members transported three busloads of disabled veterans from their rooms in the VA Hospital to the VA's cemetery grounds where the Memorial Day ceremonies took place. The disabled vets represented all eras, from W.W.II to Desert Storm. A good rapport was built between them and the VVAW members who volunteered their time.
During the services, veterans and local politicians, including the mayor and county executive, thanked veterans for their sacrifices and paid homage to those who gave their lives for their country. Music was provided by the American Legion band and a flyover by the Confederate Air Force also took place during the event.

Just before the playing of "Taps," representatives of forty-two different veterans' organizations were called upon to place their wreaths at a monument to those who died in the military. John Lindquist presented VVAW's floral wreath, which had a black banner across the front proclaiming No War In The Balkans - VVAW.

Dave Kettenhofen is a national coordinator for VVAW and member of the Milwaukee Chapter.