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VVAW and 40 Years . . . We Must Continue!By Ward Reilly
August 8, 2007 1967, the year Vietnam Veterans Against the War got started. 4 full years before I joined. And what a bloody and horrific year 1967 was for US troops in Vietnam, as the anti-war movement started to grow inside the military, and here at home on the streets. And here we are in 2007, forty years later, and in the same exact position. A bloody occupation that is ruining everyone and everything it touches. It's a painful reality to many of us that have been in and out of the world of resisting since the 60's and 70's. Forty years gone, and the politicians have done it again ... and along comes Iraq Veterans Against the War. Welcome home, brothers and sisters. Deja vu! VVAW plus 40 years ...we must continue! The 40th anniversary of Vietnam Veterans Against the War found many of us meeting in Chicago. It was a beautiful 4-day-weekend reunion, well organized and well attended. The continuous string of events and meals organized by the local VVAW members, and our friends, was simply perfect. Panels, film, slides, meals, beer, camaraderie and even a little merchandise, which kept us happy and busy. A couple of commemorative books were put together to mark the celebration. So much work done by so few. I mean, they even got Lollapalooza put right there into Grant Park for us, for goodness sake. These organizers rule! Truly an outstanding job.
Friday, our hosts found us a great meal and atmosphere at the Thai Binh Restaurant, up on the north side. Oh well, you can't have everything... (says this old south-sider). Beer, and speakers, (and some joints???...just a rumor), oh my! Cameras flashing. The place was packed with the young and the elders. Many activists that have had online friendships for years, finally got a face to face meeting and hugs, and the smiles were everywhere at this meal. Survivors, and warriors for peace, one and all. Iraq Veterans Against the War members were also in attendance all weekend, and they stole the show on Saturday afternoon with their 6 member panel of speakers. WOW! is all I can say. Each view presented by the IVAW people was so powerful and non-repetitious. I don't think that VVAW has EVER gotten 6 such articulate speakers on one panel. :>) Seriously, these young troops are incredible. We even managed to do a small street action on Saturday evening, with a few of the hardcore rabble-rousers of VVAW and IVAW, as Lollapalooza let out, and the young streamed by our corner. I know for a fact that the appearance of the IVAW panel has inspired some of the VVAW cadre into trying even harder to end this horrific occupation in the Middle East. I heard a few times over the weekend about "passing the torch" to these younger guys, and that is where I differ from some in the organization. I still feel a strong need to fight on, or rather, a responsibility to fight on, neither leading, nor following the newest group of mind fucked vets that our government has produced. They are my brothers and sisters, and there is no way I will pass the torch to them unless it is during peace time. We simply must continue to stand side by side and fight with the ENTIRE anti-war movement. We have a year and a half left to save our nation, in my opinion. If Bush and Cheney are allowed to retire into the (bloody) sunset, the USA is DOA, in concept. We can still get the job done. Sunday found us at the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum, looking at some of the best art I have ever seen, and I've been in almost every major art museum in the world, in my travels. Nowhere can you find such intensified realism and stark surrealism, as can be found here in veterans art. Incredible works, and I only regret that there wasn't a comprehensive book available for purchase with all of that seriously heavy, and beautiful art, in it. Let's hope that when IVAW has its 40th reunion in 2044, that they are celebrating 35 years of peace, instead of hosting members of the latest anti-war veterans group. Thanks Chicago...thanks VVAW! Fight on brothers and sisters, fight on. Peace Out.
Ward Reilly is the Southeast national contact for VVAW.
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