Download PDF of this full issue: v35n2.pdf (18.1 MB)

Memorial Day in Chicago

By P. Stewall

We had a beautiful sunny day in Chicago for the annual ceremony where the Vietnam Veterans Memorial used to be. It seems that after it was moved for construction several years ago, it was misplaced and hasn't been found since. One has to wonder if Mayor Daley loses valuables like this often. Have you lost your bankbook or your wedding ring lately, Dick? But this article will address another incompetent politician and the way he "supports our troops."

Charlie Anderson of IVAW on Memorial Day, Chicago, 2005

The day's event began with local songwriter Anna Stange singing some old favorites like "Where Have All the Flowers Gone," "If I Had a Hammer," and "This Land is Your Land," mixing in some original work, such as "There Ain't No War Unless There's Greed."

VVAW national coordinator Barry Romo welcomed the assembled veterans, families, friends, passersby, and media to the 35th annual Memorial Day ceremony, then he lambasted the Bush administration. Talking about the increasing co-pays and decreasing benefits for veterans, he said they "refuse to treat veterans decently. The only time they care about us is when they put wreaths on our graves."

David Curry spoke next, about the nineteen-page report he had just completed, "From Vietnam to Iraq: Ignoring the Veteran Health Care Crisis." The VA was already in crisis before starting a new war. The report illustrates that as of May 2005, over twelve thousand troops have been wounded, not to mention the fact that practically everyone serving in Iraq is exposed to depleted uranium. Gulf War Syndrome was a mere headache to the VA; this is a tumor the size of Toledo. And George Bush's VA is increasing co-payments and instituting annual fees to help pay for his illegal invasion and occupation.

A Marine Corpsman and member of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW), Charles Anderson, said this war is different. It was not a last resort; it is a war of conquest. And now we have veterans coming home not only physically scarred, but living with the demons of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many of those who do make it home can't find jobs and wind up homeless on the streets.

Paul and Pat Vogel of Military Families Speak Out talked about visiting their son in Iraq, and about how Donald Rumsfeld used the disgusting term "fungible" to describe our troops. Paul brought up the counter-recruiting scholarship they've organized: the Ploughshares Scholarship. Pat thanked the VVAW for everything they've done over the years and for being good and faithful friends of IVAW. She spoke eloquently about "patriots" and their empty flag-waving, the rhetoric they use to inoculate themselves, and their cheering for our armed forces as if they were a sports team. That is truly obscene. She longs for a day when soldiers' sense of duty is reciprocated.

Ray Parrish, VVAW's military counselor, spoke about standing on the corner in front of the VA hospital with friends every Friday and chanting, "Health care, not warfare." He's also been actively involved in counter-recruiting at local high schools and events like the Blues Fest and the Air and Water Show.

Dave Curry on Memorial Day, Chicago, 2005

Teacher and Code Pink representative Ronnie Areola came up to the lectern with her daughter and spoke about the unique position women have in terms of war. They are left behind to fill the gaps when fathers go off to war, left to support their families. As military combatants, women are asked to sacrifice their lives, but are denied reproductive rights. Not only are they targets on the battlefield, but they're also targets for rape. We need to prosecute rape as a war crime and a crime against humanity. In the end, women are left to start over after family members die.

Jackson Potter, a high-school teacher in a low-income, minority community, thought becoming a teacher would end his days of being called down to the principal's office, but he invited Barry Romo to his classroom to speak to his students and was accused of furthering his political agenda. His answer was "Damned straight!" He went on to say that the message these kids get is that the most neglected children's lives aren't worth anything unless they make an unusual sacrifice to their county: their lives. Some of his students are harassed daily to enlist. One of his students, senior Latoyia Kimbrough, spoke about being interested in the military because her father was in the Navy. But she refuses to join while Bush is in office; college is first on her agenda.

Anna Stange closed the event by singing "Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream" and "Amazing Grace" as those gathered placed flowers where the memorial used to be, in remembrance of veterans—those fallen, homeless, and hospitalized by the Bush cabal.

There was a moment of silence before the crowd dispersed.

Pat Vogel of MFSO on Memorial Day, Chicago, 2005

Latoyia Kimbrough on Memorial Day, Chicago, 2005

Anna Stange on Memorial Day, Chicago, 2005

Paul Vogel of MFSO on Memorial Day, Chicago, 2005