Veterans for Peace Chapter 27

VETERANS FOR PEACE (VFP) is a global organization of Veterans and non-military allies committed to promoting peace through community outreach and direct action.  Minnesota Chapter 27 (Minneapolis/St. Paul)  was founded in 1985. Members of VFP and allies, pledge to use nonviolent means and to maintain an organization that is both democratic and open.  We understand that all members are trusted to act in the best interests of the group for the larger purpose of world peace.

Since 1985, our network of over 150 chapters  worldwide has sought to raise public awareness about the true and hidden costs of war. Veterans For Peace works to abolish war by dismantling the Military- Industrial Complex through peaceful resistance. This may seem like a lofty goal in a world which now sees endless war. VFP sees this goal as our Last Campaign.

RECOGNIZING VETERANS SACRIFICES AND HONORING THEIR STORIES

Memorial Day

Each Memorial Day, we gather at the capitol grounds in St Paul, near the Vietnam Memorial Wall. Veterans, friends and family members tell their powerful stories and share music in this moving annual event as the costs of war are remembered.

Reclaiming Armistice Day

On November 11th, Chapter 27 participates in Armistice Day events, remembering the signing of the Armistice after WWI.  Over time this day was  changed to Veteran's Day and is a glorification of the military and not about peace, the intention of the the original Armistice Day. We ring bells eleven times, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in honor of that day in history and  of Veterans for Peace goal to abolish war.

U.S. Militarism and Climate

U.S. militarism is the elephant in the room when it  comes to the global climate crisis. Chapter 27 has joined the VFP “Climate Crisis and Militarism Project” to address the connections between  U.S. militarism and the climate crisis. We seek to motivate others to help stop U.S. militarism and reverse its environmental impact. We have given out thousands of peace buttons and stickers to initiate conversations with the public.

Save Our or VA (SOVA)

VFP's SOVA National Campaign seeks justice for veterans by fighting to stop Congressional outsourcing of VA healthcare to the private sector healthcare industry. VA health care which is critical to all veterans, their families and to the larger population. Several studies have shown that VA health care is as good and often superior to the private sector health care.

The SOVA National Campaign consists of hundreds of individual VFP members and supporters working across the nation in collaboration with our allies in the VA unions and the Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute (VHPI).

Contact for more information: SOVAmail@yahoo.com

VFP Golden Rule Project:    The Great Loop 2022-2023

VFP GOLDEN RULE PROJECT

The Golden Rule is a project of Veterans For Peace. We aim to advance Veterans For Peace opposition to nuclear weapons and war, and to do so in a dramatic fashion.

We have recovered and restored the original peace ship, the Golden Rule, that set sail in 1958 to stop nuclear weapons tests in the Marshall Islands, and which inspired the many peace makers and peace ships that followed.

The reborn Golden Rule is sailing once more, to show that nuclear abolition is possible, and that bravery and tenacity can overcome militarism. Follow the Golden Rule on Facebook. If you’re interested in crewing in California or around the Great Loop in 2022-23 or wish to volunteer, please fill out a crew application at vfpgoldenrule.org/crew-application

For more information regarding the current itinerary of the Great Loop  go to: vfpgoldenruleproject.org, also follow The Golden Rule Project on Facebook.