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VVAW Statement

By VVAW

We are members of Vietnam Veterans Against the War. We bring you greetings and join you in protesting the dangerous Reagan Administration policy in Central America and in other parts of the world.

As Vietnam Veterans we have seen the effects of this kind of policy at another time, in another place—Vietnam.

We are here because the pattern is familiar. The rhetoric and actions of our government in escalating the war in Nicaragua is all too familiar. We don't want our sons and daughters fighting and dying in another Vietnam War here or anywhere.

Since we've been here we have seen many sons and daughters of Nicaragua who have been made casualties of a war that would not exist without the active participation of our government. We have come to love and respect the Nicaraguan people in the short time we have been here. While we struggle for decent benefits for all veterans, our government sees fit to spend millions for another war when it hasn't finished paying for the last unjust and immoral war in Vietnam.

Fifteen years ago this week VVAW marched in Washington, DC for a limited incursion called Dewey Canyon III in which we called for an end to the war in Southeast Asia and called for the return of our brothers from Vietnam. We threw our medals on the steps of our Capitol. This week in cities across the U.S. VVAW will be marching in commemoration of that event.

VVAW, as a result of our visit to Nicaragua has rededicated itself to continue the struggle to end the war in Central America.

NICARAGUA LIBRE!