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Memorial Day: Honor the Dead, Fight for the Living

By John Lindquist

Memorial Day--May 30th, 1983--proclaimed Memorial Day on May 30, 1965 to honor the dead of America's Civil War in order to mend the nation's wounds. America has never mended all its wounds, but neither has it run out of wars, so we've always had vets to honor.

As I grew up, Memorial Day always had a profound effect on me. I stood in awe of the old soldiers and their medals. I sure didn't want to miss a war when I grew up. All those speeches by local Congressmen and Senators on the missile gap and "Red China" had me all prepared when Vietnam came up.

For VVAW Memorial Day has always been important. We have a saying that puts it all in the right perspective: "Honor the dead; fight like hell for the living!" For years we've always tried to participate in the traditional parades or ceremonies but because of VVAW's anti-war history, we were usually denied participation. Some places the traditional vets organizations still hold out; in most places VVAW has become an accepted part of the celebration.

VVAW has been persistent because we believe that the majority of veterans to feel a kinship with Memorial Day and what it has to say--not to talk about more defense money nor about the need for a draft but to honor those who died. Only the politicians, many of whom never fought a war, run those speeches.

This year's Memorial Day is here and other important issues stare us in the face. This is where "fight for the living" really gives meaning to "Honor the dead."

Our Vets Centers around the nation are coming under attack from the VA. The class action suit against chemical companies who manufactured Agent Orange is coming to trial. The V.A. still has barely moved on the issue of testing, treatment and compensation for Agent Orange victims and their families.

The drum beat for a new draft beats louder. "Only $110 million more and we can beat them in El Salvador." "Our advisors will certainly not be allowed into combat." The whole series of statements, exact replicas of what was said in the early days of Vietnam at the same time some parts of the country are living in a depression.

All VVAW chapters are urged to participate in local Memorial Day activities. If there are none where you are, plan your own. Sometimes it's uncomfortable to remember our own dead; sometimes the ceremonies seem hokey--but no matter. Honoring our dead brothers and sisters by working to stop future Vietnams is a vital task.

Here are some Memorial Day ideas:

1. Participate in local ceremonies at VA hospitals. Often they're followed by receptions at the hospital where you can talk up Agent Orange and the class action suit, or other VVAW activities in your area.
2. Participate in other local ceremonies or parades; experience has shown that VVAW's participation in parades brings a most favorable response from many onlookers.
3. In cities planning nothing for Memorial Day, plan your own ceremony at a local was memorial. Talk about what we learned from our experience in Vietnam and about some of the needs of veterans. This kind of project is good also for places where traditional organizations refuse to let VVAW participate in the "official" activities.
4. Plan a picnic or some other social event. Build it in the veterans' community, the vets centers, local VA, and maybe the unemployment office. Use VVAW literature, THE VETERAN, VVAW's Agent Orange information, and sign people up for the class action suit--the June 27th, 1983 trial date is getting close.

Whatever of these activities you decide on, get out there and be visible; let vets and the American people know VVAW's position; "Honor the dead; Fight for the living!"

John Lindquist,
VVAW N.O.