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Proposed Name Change: Vote to Keep the "the"By VVAWAt the VVAW National Meeting in September, 1983, the National Office proposed that the organization change its name by deleting the "the" from our name to become Vietnam Veterans Against War. This change was put to a vote of the membership and the vote was solidly against the change. We thus remain Vietnam Veterans Against the War. A few of the comments from individuals and chapters reprinted below: "I am 100% in favor of changing the organization's name to Vietnam Veterans Against War." "Who the hell is for war? Of another WWII type situation every comes up we could (maybe) support it (i.e. stopping a Hitler type) but still be against war as a basic principle, goal and concept. Combat vets, Vietnam vets and our society must start deglorifying war. By changing the name it would also be helpful to open discussion in the VETERAN about Russia's aggression against Afghanistan ect, China's aggression in Vietnam, Vietnam's aggression in Cambodia, Cuba's aggression in Latin America and. Of course, our aggression in Lebanon, Grenada, Central America and other locations. As an organization we should not be biased in our opinion and outspokenness of aggressors. All aggressors and war mongers should be treated equally—i.e. exposed for what they are. The name change is a great idea! Scott Moore A proposal has been made to drop the "the" from VVAW. There has also been a proposal to drop both the "Vietnam" and "the" from our organization's name. I am adamantly opposed to both proposals. Our country has been trying to forget Vietnam and Vietnam War veterans since the time our government began sending us to Vietnam to fight and die. Our country has done a pretty good job the last couple of years when some people began to remember. However, many people, including the President, apparently would just as soon have everyone forget Vietnam—put Vietnam out of our country's collective memory—to get on with business as usual as if there never had been a Vietnam. To drop "Vietnam" from our organization's name is to buy into the process of trying to forget a war, its victims, its survivors, and its lessons which we have fought so hard to make our country remember. And the "the" cannot be dropped either. We are still fighting the Vietnam War and we have been and are presently fighting against Vietnams regardless of the name of the country in which our nation's next Vietnam (or Vietnam's) could take place. The name could be changed despite my objections—but as long as I am a member of our organization I shall always be a Vietnam Veterans Against the War. Marv Freedman I have mulled this question in my mind for two months preceding the initiation and organizing of Veterans Against War.... Because we are Veterans Against War our organization is truly theirs (the members) in name and deed. No one had to feel ashamed of our of place because they're not a Vietnam vet in our group. No one has to explain that vets of all eras can join. The name deals with that plain and simple.... Tampering with the proud tradition of VVAW's name is or should not be a difficult one if building a fighting veterans organization is what we are all about. VVAW being a force for change should be able to cope with this change that will only help to build the organization and the vets movement. I believe that "Vets of all Eras Unite!" is the right slogan to raise now to unite as many veterans against the war that Reagan and Company are doing and planning more of. The name change proposal gives VVAW the opportunity to truly make that slogan a reality, not just in words (the name) but in deeds (our program).....I hope people will give thought to this letter and also let all chapter members read it before passing members read it before passing judgment on the name change—not just dropping the "the" from the name, but also "Vietnam." The bottom line is for all of us change for a better world.... Walter Klim I do not belong to a local VVAW Chapter so here's my personal opinion regarding the proposed name change: Let's be postive, let's be for real: Vietnam Veterans for Peace. Ed Valeska
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