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VVAW at the Kentucky State Fair

By Carol Rawert Trainer

VVAW was well represented at the Kentucky State Fair from August 17 to 26, 2006. As a Vietnam-era vet and the wife of a Vietnam vet, I participated in the Louisville Peace Action Community booth, whose theme was "Support the Troops: Stop the War." On each day of the fair, our booth had volunteer veterans working in shifts from morning to night. We distributed VVAW and IVAW brochures along with other related materials.

For the most part, we were supported and thanked by the public, including active-duty military and veterans, but of course, there were a few disparaging statements.

We displayed the names of the fifty-two soldiers who died in the Iraq War. One wife of a soldier who was killed took offense and demanded that her husband's name be removed. Out of respect, we turned over all of the names, so they could not be viewed, even though some families had called and asked us to display their family members' names.

Veterans are a very active part of the local peace movement in Louisville. We collected about 4,000 signatures on our petition to stop the war. Many GIs and their family members were afraid to sign the petition, even though they supported our efforts.

We played DVDs from Eyes Wide Open and Military Families Speak Out, which were well received and informative. Kentucky has many veterans, but as far as I know, there is no organized group of veterans against the war. I would be interested in information to help find or form such a group. (Contact me atcrawerttrainer@gmail.com.)