The Veterans of the Vietnam War: Truth And Resistance to War Crimes

Recently, I have uncovered a number of organizations formed and operated by Vietnam veterans, which are for the abolishing of war. They are not pacifistic, however, they are anti-war. The most significant in my studies has been that of VVAW, or Vietnam Veterans Against the War. This is a non-profit, tax exempt organization and corporation. It was originally organized in order to protest progressively the Vietnam War, and essentially, all war which conflicts with American public through discourse in the media. This group of Vietnam veterans desires campaigning for peace, justice, and the rights of U.S. military veterans of all wars. The VVAW publishes a biannual newsletter, The Veteran. VVAW is considered one of the most influential anti-war organizations of the Vietnam era, and led many significant protest movements and actions during the 60's and 70's.

Among their organized events, the Operation RAW detailed:

"During the Labor Day weekend of September 4-7, 1970, Operation RAW ("Rapid American Withdrawal") took place. It was a three day protest march from Morristown, NJ, to Valley Forge State Park by over 200 veterans. They were joined by members of "Nurses for Peace" and other peace groups. Dressed in combat fatigues and carrying toy weapons, the march was designed to dramatize a Vietnam-type search and destroy mission to the Middle America they passed through. Upon entering each town along the march, sweeps were made, prisoners taken and interrogated, property seized and homes cleared with the assistance of previously planted "guerrilla theater" actors portraying civilians. The 86 mile long march culminated in a four hour rally at Valley Forge that over 1,500 people attended. The honorary commander during this event was retired Army Brigadier General Hugh B. Hester. Sponsors included Senators George McGovern and Edmund Muskie, Rep. John Conyers, Paul O'Dwyer, Mark Lane, and Donald Sutherland. Scheduled speakers were John Kerry, Joe Kennedy, Rev. James Bevel, Mark Lane, Jane Fonda, and Sutherland. Congressman Allard Lowenstein, Mike Lerner, and Army First Lt. Louis Font also spoke."

and one of exceptional, historical importance, the VVAW organized event titled, Winter Soldier. The VVAW's Winter Soldier was intended to highlight the morality of Vietnam War American soldiers, and challenge the conduct of American military policy, and those positions when compaired with crimes of war in Vietnam. The event took place over the course of three days, with some 109 Vietnam veterans, and 16 civilizians congregating in Detroit, MI. Discharged servicemen from each branch of military service, including; civilian contractors, medical personnel and academics; all gave testimony about war crimes they had committed or witnessed during the years of 1963-1970 in Vietnam and surrounding Asian territories.

Through organizations and corporations aimed at the removal of all war, mankind is one step closer to its renouncment of all forms of violent warfare. The Vietnam War era was significantly affected by the VVAW, and their brother and sister organizations of similar intent.

Below is a picture of veterans protesting the Vietnam War at the capital, and a pamphlet of the VVAW from 1970 in opposition to the War:



VVAW Pamphlet (1970)



Michael