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Hear what veterans think
“To honor a vet, listen to a vet” is a bit of a slogan at Spokane Veterans For Peace. Unheard by most, we’re weary of hearing, “Thank you for your service” from persons with no idea whether our service consisted of cleaning latrines or burning villages, licking boots or kicking children. We are outraged to hear the old lie, “Nobody wants war,” while our environment, health and treasure are gleefully sacrificed for past, current and future wars.
This makes me a little nervous about hosting the annual Veterans For Peace convention in Spokane, Aug. 15-18. There won’t be rifles, American flags or saluting to attract photographers. Long before El Paso and Dayton, we knew arms don’t make us safer, and we welcome members from other countries and non-military backgrounds. If the media should dare to listen to Veterans For Peace, will they be compelled to report upon the content of our programming and the nature of our organization?
I hope they will come and see how we expose the true costs of war, fight for global justice, and love our country without wishing to hurt the people of any other land.
Convention information is at veteransforpeace.org
Rusty Nelson, president, Spokane Veterans For Peace
Spokane