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April 19th Vets' Rally: At War With The War In Central America

By VVAW

On April 19th, about 250 members and allies of VVAW gathered in the Federal Plaza in Chicago to hear speakers and demonstrate opposition to U.S. involvement in Central America. The rally was both a commemoration and a declaration. It was a commemoration of the proud years Vietnam Veterans Against the War has spent opposing American military aggression in Vietnam and around the world. It was a declaration of undying an unabashed opposition to Reagan's policies in Central America.

April 19th is a special day in the history of VVAW. It was on that date in 1971 that over a thousand Vietnam veterans threw away their medals on the steps of the Capitol in Washington in protest of the war then going on in Vietnam. That event was a shot in the arm to the anti-war movement and established VVAW as an organization with clout.

The first speaker at the April 19th, 1986 rally was Joel Greenberg of the Chicago Chapter. Joel was at Operation Dewey Canyon III—the throwing away of the medals in 1971. He talked about his participation in Operation RAW (Rapid American Withdrawal) which was a VVAW operation involving a march through New Jersey to Valley Forge. Occurring before Dewey Canyon III, this was the first ever organized protest of veterans against their own government's war while the war was still going on.

Joel didn't only talk of the past. He spoke of the connection between VVAW actions then and the necessity of fighting against the same kind of government policies now as they are being applied to Central America. After Joel spoke other vets took the podium. One heartfelt sentiment that came through was the wish that there be no necessity for an organization called Nicaraguan Veterans Against the War.

One of the speakers had recently arrived from El Salvador where he had been involved in resistance to the fascists supported by the U.S. He told of how the rulers of El Salvador are oppressing his people, and reminded us that U.S. treachery in Central America is not limited to Nicaragua.

A couple of the speakers spoke to an issue that has to be on the minds of more than a few Vietnam vets today. While many of our most vivid thoughts and memories are rooted in events that happened somewhere back around 1969, the mirror tells us that time has moved on. And now many of us have sons approaching military age. A war in Central America will not be a one-week adventure like Grenada. These two facts are cause for much concern for Vietnam vet fathers and are all the more reason to now build opposition to what may be war in Central America.

While the rally was held in Chicago, a delegation of VVAW members was returning from Nicaragua. This rally was also an effort to unite friends in Nicaragua and friends here at home. As Reagan escalates his war efforts in Central America, VVAW is escalating peace efforts at home.

(The following letter is from David Truong; railroaded into federal prison as a North Vietnamese spy, he is, as he says in his letter, "the only Vietnamese political prisoner in and of the U.S.")

Dear VVAW:

With the coming 15th anniversary of VVAW's Operation Dewey Canyon III, I very much would like, as the only Vietnamese political prisoner in and of the U.S., to send to you and the brothers who work with you my heartfelt congratulations and solidarity, and, of course, much success for your activities later this month.

Greetings and solidarity to mutual friends—

David Troung
#10033-083
Box 1000
Petersburg, VA 23804

Dear VVAW:

I am sorry that I cannot be with you today to show my opposition to increased military aid to the Contras of Nicaragua.

History has shown us that we need to be cautious about interfering in the internal affairs of other nations. We know too well that a small amount of military aid today can easily lead to troops tomorrow.

Let us urge an extensive dialogue through the Contadora process, which will enable the Central American nations to decide their own futures.

My best wishes,

Paul Simon
U.S. Senate, Illinois

(The following letter was written by Congressman Charles Hayes of the 1st District of Illinois to be read at VVAW's April 19th demonstration.)

Dear Veterans:

As a Member of Congress and a lifelong trade unionist, I have been aware for many years of the outstanding work of Vietnam Veterans Against the War. I commend you for consistently speaking out as our nation's conscience in the true spirit of the American tradition.

As you are well aware, the Reagan Administration is playing a dangerous game of Russian roulette that could sot the lives of many young Americans. I am opposed to the spread of terrorism, as I know you are; however, I do not agree that the Administration's recent actions have done anything to combat it. It appears that the President and his advisors are all too willing to exercise military options rather than to develop strategies to deal with the root causes of our conflicts with governments which we disagree with.

On the other hand, the Administration is all too willing to ignore terrorist acts committed by governments, which it supports. No country rivals South Africa in its brutal repression and state-sponsored terrorism against its Black majority. Our government, however, has acted to shield the apartheid regime from world sanctions rather than championing the cause of South Africa's Black population.

Although our allies in Central America oppose U.S. aid to the Contras in Nicaragua on the basis that it is hurting, not helping prospects for peace in the region, it appears that the Administration will stop at nothing, including the possible use of doctored intelligence reports, to bolster its push to aid the rebel group. I have consistently voted against Contra aid and I will continue to do so.

As representative of one of the poorest congressional districts in the U.S. in terms of per capita income, I am especially concerned that our nation does not pursue a policy that may recklessly endanger the lives of the young men and women who serve in our armed forces. One has only to remember the Vietnam War to realize that the lives of young people who are Black, poor and unemployed are at greatest risk when our nation engages in military action.

I am also aware that money to launch military strikes and to support foreign dictators and so-called "anti-communist freedom fights" comes at the expense of funding for domestic job programs, education, health care and urban redevelopment. How can we tell 14,000 Chicago teenagers that we cannot afford to give them jobs this summer, but that we can afford to give guns, bullets and other weapons to men who rape, pillage and murder for a living? How can we tell hungry schoolchildren that we will be unable to make certain they have nutrition and immunization programs, but that we will give food and medicine to the Contras?

We should have learned through 20 years of aid to former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos that we cannot stop the spread of communism through support of unpopular regimes. We will only stop it by helping to provide food, education and decent quality of life for our underprivileged international neighbors, and by supporting rather than stifling, the legitimate liberation struggles of oppressed people throughout the Third World.

Charles Hayes
M.C.