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From the National Office

By Joe Miller

Welcome to another issue of The Veteran! We're in the middle of another "anniversary" year. Twenty-five years since the end of the Vietnam war, thirty years since the American invasion of Cambodia and the killings of students at Kent and Jackson State by National Guard troops and police, fifty years since the start of the Korean war, and ten years since the build-up of Desert Shield to what would become the Gulf war - Desert Storm.

This issue includes material related to many of these events and the various commemorations that have taken place. VVAW, Inc. helped to organize and participated in many events recognizing the twenty-fifth anniversary of the end of "our" war. From New York, to Chicago, to Milwaukee, to Champaign-Urbana, VVAW members and friends celebrated Vietnam's success in her war for national independence and reunification. We also recalled sadly the extreme price paid for that independence in Indochinese lives, and in the lives of Americans and others who were sent to fight against the Vietnamese people. Plus we have recollections from a carrier sailor and a report from a Milwaukee VVAW member about the people of Vietnam today.

This issue also presents our readers with a "new look" at the Korean war, written by VVAW member John Kim. This is an impressive overview and new analysis of events leading up to the war that has been in the headlines recently with the No Gun Ri revelations.

Of course, VVAW members are involved in more than just looking back. Members from the Clarence Fitch Chapter in NY/NJ have been deeply involved in the protests against the Navy bombing practice on the island of Vieques, and national coordinator Dave Cline provides us with a detailed overview of the situation there. We have an update on Chiapas from one of our Chicago members. A member from Rockford, Illinois reports on a protest against gun violence in our streets. Veterans' health issues have always been at the forefront of VVAW work, and one of our Champaign-Urbana members recounts his experiences with hepatitis C and the VA, reminding us that we must always be vigilant about the hidden health hazards of military service. In this connection, we remember our fallen brother, Walter Klim.

Two reviews of the new film "Regret to Inform" bring home the long-term costs of war to those who survived, the widows and families of those killed on all sides. VVAW worked closely with the producers of this film, and we recommend it to educators and to community organizers.

We expect to have articles on the Gulf war in our next issue (Fall/Winter 2000) written by VVAW members who are veterans of that war. April 2001 is the thirtieth anniversary of Dewey Canyon III, so we'd like to send out a call for any recollections from those events for possible publication.

Finally, the National Office wants to recognize and praise the work of the most important members of the editorial staff, Jeff Machota and Lisa Boucher. Lisa's editorial pencil makes sometimes unfathomable writings read smoothly. Jeff's layout expertise provides our readers with clear and eye-pleasing presentation. Without such dedicated volunteer staff (both Jeff and Lisa work other jobs and receive no compensation for VVAW work), The Veteran would be back to real cut-and-paste production on Barry Romo's dining room table. Thanks, Lisa and Jeff!