   “Honor the Dead, Heal the Wounded, Stop the Wars”
 U.S. Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan Return War Medals at NATO Summit
Nearly 50 veterans discarded their war medals by hurling them down the street in the direction of the NATO summit. We hear the soldiers’ voices as they return their medals one by one from the stage. "I’m here to return my Global War on Terror Service Medal in solidarity with the people of Iraq and the people of Afghanistan," said Jason Hurd, a former combat medic who spent 10 years in the U.S. Army. "I am deeply sorry for the destruction that we have caused in those countries and around the globe." Scott Kimball, an Iraq war veteran, adds: “For all the servicemembers and veterans who are against these wars, you are not alone!”
Video Here
Mother of Iraq Veteran Who Committed Suicide:
"Honor the Dead, Heal the Wounded, Stop the Wars"
On a makeshift stage outside the NATO summit in Chicago, antiwar veterans fold an American flag that flew over NATO operations from Bosnia to Libya and which represents the flag that is “draped over the coffins of thousands of Americans killed in combat and thousands more who have committed suicide after they returned from service." They present the flag to Mary Kirkland, mother of Derrick Kirkland, who joined the military in 2007 and committed suicide in March 2010 after his second tour of duty in Iraq. “I am not ashamed that I have to tell people that my son committed suicide. I am ashamed of the military for failing to give him proper mental health treatment,” Kirkland says. The military originally reported that her son was killed in action.
Video Here
Scott Olsen, U.S. Vet Who Nearly Lost Life at Occupy Protest,
Brings Antiwar Message to NATO Summit
We’re joined at the NATO summit in Chicago by Scott Olsen, who survived two tours in Iraq but almost died when he was hit with a police projectile at an Occupy Oakland protest last year. Olsen returned four of his medals at Sunday’s antiwar march. When asked why he’s joined the Occupy movement and is protesting against the heavily policed NATO summit, Olsen says, "I’m going to make every effort I can to show them that we’re doing the right thing, we’re in the right, and no matter what they do to any of us, we’ve got each other’s backs, and we’re going forward."
Video Here
U.S. Army Vets Join with Afghans for Peace to Lead Antiwar March
at Chicago NATO Summit
The antiwar march at the NATO summit on May 20 in Chicago was jointly led by members of Afghans for Peace and Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW). "We’re here to protest NATO and call on all NATO representatives to end this inhumane, illegal, barbaric war against our home country and our people," says Suraia Sahar, a member of Afghans for Peace, who marched alongside Afghan war veteran Graham Clumpner during the anti-NATO protest in Chicago. "I feel honored standing next to this veteran, Graham, because they’re now, I believe, in my opinion, doing the right thing in speaking out against the occupation and war alongside us today." Clumpner says, "I reject any affiliation with this war."
Video Here
"Hero of War" –Rise Against Song
Captures Iraq War Veteran’s Tragic Experience
The antiwar march at the NATO summit on May 20 in Chicago was jointly led by members of Afghans for Peace and Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW). "We’re here to protest NATO and call on all NATO representatives to end this inhumane, illegal, barbaric war against our home country and our people," says Suraia Sahar, a member of Afghans for Peace, who marched alongside Afghan war veteran Graham Clumpner during the anti-NATO protest in Chicago. "I feel honored standing next to this veteran, Graham, because they’re now, I believe, in my opinion, doing the right thing in speaking out against the occupation and war alongside us today." Clumpner says, "I reject any affiliation with this war."
Video Here
 Mission Statement of Arlington West Memorial
- To remember the fallen and wounded
- To acknowledge the human cost of war
- To provide a place to grieve
- To encourage dialogue among people with varied points of view
- Educate the public about the needs of those returning from war
Veterans For Peace Statement of Purpose
We, having dutifully served our nation, do hereby affirm our greater responsibility to serve the cause of world peace. To this end we will work, with others:
- To increasing public awareness of the costs of war.
- To restrain our government from intervening, overtly and covertly, in the internal affairs of other nations
- To end the arms race and to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons
- To seek justice for veterans and victims of war
- To abolish war as an instrument of national policy.
To achieve these goals, members of Veterans For Peace pledge to use non-violent means and to maintain an organization that is both democratic and open with the understanding that all members are trusted to act in the best interests of the group for the larger purpose of world peace.
HOW TO JOIN VETERANS FOR PEACE
Veterans For Peace is a national with local chapters throughout the country as well as in a few countries outside of the United States.
You do not need to be a veteran in order to join Veterans For Peace, nor do you need to be a member of Veterans For Peace in order to volunteer on the Arlington West project. We do, however, invite all who embrace our vision and Statement of Purpose to join us.
If you ARE a veteran or are currently serving on active duty, you might consider joining Veterans For Peace. If you are on active duty, there is nothing in the regulations that prohibit your voluntary membership in this organization. For more information on your rights under the UCMJ, see our Active Duty Resources page here.
If you are NOT a veteran, you can join Veterans For Peace by becoming an Associate Member. Simply follow Step 1 below, fill out the application, and send that along with your Associate Member contribution to the national Veterans For Peace mailing address shown below. You may also join online by going to the national Veterans For Peace web site.
Follow steps 1-3 below to become a member of Veterans For Peace:
Step 1: Download the VFP Membership application here. 
Step 2: A copy of your DD-214 is required for membership.
HOW TO OBTAIN A COPY OF YOUR DD-214
Don't have a copy of your military discharge documents?
Please visit the National Personnel Records Center web site here to obtain one.
Step 3: Send your VFP Membership application along with a copy of your DD-214 military discharge paper or proof of active duty service via regular mail to the national office of Veterans For Peace along or send it to our local office and we'll send it for you.
All Veterans for Peace Local Chapters are joined through the national office at:
National Veterans For Peace Office & Web Site
Veterans For Peace
216 South Meramec Ave
St. Louis MO 63105
Tel: (314) 725-6005
FAX (314) 725-7103
Web site: www.veteransforpeace.org
Find local VFP Chapters in your city or State here:
VFP Chapters
VFP- Los Angeles Email List
For ongoing information and discussions about the Veterans for Peace and its Statement of Purpose, as well as the Arlington West project, please join our public mailing list. It's free and easy to subscribe. You can also unsubscribe any time you choose.
PLEASE NOTE!!
You do not become a member of Veterans For Peace by subscribing to this email list, nor are you required to be a member of Veterans For Peace. If you would like to join Veterans For Peace, see information shown above.
Otherwise,
Read how to subscribe to the VFP-LA email list here.
Please visit our brothers and sisters over there at Iraq Veterans Against the War.
ARLINGTON WEST IS
A NON-PROFIT, NON-PARTISAN & NON-SECTARIAN
PROJECT OF VETERANS FOR PEACE
Changing the World Begins With You
 Career US Army soldier asks,
“Why am I carrying an M-16
in the Garden of Eden?”
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