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Winona Against WAR

By Billy Curmano

—Billy Curmano
Minnesota VVAW

The bitter cold didn't dampen the spirits of about 40 demonstrators protesting U.S. involvement in Central American affairs on Veteran's Day in the small river community of Winona, MN. Five Vietnam veterans, Billy Curmano, Alan Schultz, Tony Brown, Roger Dahlen and Tom Biesanz, placed their medals and discharge papers in an open coffin with the questions, "How many more Nicaraguans? How many more Americans?' emblazoned on the side. The medals were later delivered to Congressman Tim Penny and passed on to President Reagan.

Each of the five spoke of the similarities between the tragedy of Vietnam and current Central American policy. They were hopeful that as a nation we had learned something from the Vietnam experience and would not allow our policy makers to repeat the all-too-familiar escalation. Substantial media coverage, including the Associated Press, kept the topic alive long after the demonstration ended with dialogs, debates and editorials.

The event also marked the end of a water-only 42 day sequential fast. Supporters had taken turns fasting for one day each in opposition to U.S./Contra aggression. Each of the fasters walked up and silently placed a single carnation on the discarded medals.

A solo trumpeter's somber "Taps" closed the moving ceremony sponsored by Vietnam Veterans Against the War and the Central American Resource Alliance. It contrasted sharply with the more traditional 21-gun salute held shortly after and a few years up the mall.