Minutes, 9/11

Summary of Meeting of Vets for Peace, Sep. 11, 2006

This war our first meeting in a public place, Title Wave Books, and we had a very good turnout. We had a lively discussion and with every one participating we made some good progress toward defining what our chapter is going to focus its efforts on. We even had coverage on Ch. 2! The media has also asked to cover our next meeting to do a story on us!!

Next Meeting
Tuesday, Sep. 26th from 7-9 pm at Title Wave Books (1360 W Northern Lights Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99503). Please let your fellow vets know about this meeting. Encourage them to just stop by and check us out. I will be gone in October so I need someone to plan and run the meeting in October. Title Wave’s limit is 12 people at the table. We may soon find ourselves needing a bigger spot. Any suggestions? We also want to have at least one meeting in the valley so as to link up with the many vets out that way.

Chapter Status
I looked over the rules for forming a new chapter. The significant thing is that we need to provide a plan of what our chapter intends to do. I will draft this up and submit to all of you for review.

The other thing is we need to come up with a name, usually of some prominent person that we derive inspiration from. I suggested Ernest Gruening who served as one of Alaska’s senators from 1958 to 1968. Gruening’s most notable act as Senator was as one of only two Senators to oppose the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. The only comment I have received thus far is that Gruening was not a veteran. I don’t know how significant this is. I like Gruening because when people ask why Gruening we can remind them of Alaska’s proud spirit of independence. Are there any other suggestions?

Communication
I am not sure everyone knows about the blog I have been running for awhile at http://akpeacevets.blogspot.com/ ). The reason I bring this up is that if even of you want to share stuff with other members, use of this blog makes it easier (it is much using a blog than trying to keep up with a website). If you think you would like to contribute, let me know and I will send you an invitation to become a contributor (that’s how we keep the riff-raff out). One of the great things about this type of blog is that you can post with an email. If you see or hear something you want the other vets to know about, you just send an email to your special blogger email address and in a few minutes it is posted. Check the blog out and let me know how you think we could make the most out of this tool.

Building the Chapter & Fundraising
We sold quite a few t-shirts, buttons and bumper stickers. As Suel Jones, reminded us, wearing the VFP stuff is one of the easiest ways to let folks now we are here and to invite questions about what we are about. I will be placing another order for hats since I only have one left. If there is anything in particular you would like, let me know and I will include it with my order. http://www.veteransforpeace.org/products.htm. We also have CDs for sale called Wounded Dove (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/woundeddove ) that was compiled by the VFP folks in Juneau (http://www.vfpjuneau.org/ )

Support for Stryker and Other Deployed Units’ Families
Thru Jennifer Jones we have been made aware of the burden placed on the families of soldiers who are facing long and sometimes extended deployments in war zones. Some folks have reminded me that one the of mission of Vets for Peace is opposition to unjust wars such as the one in Iraq. I believe that supporting these families is closely linked to this opposition. Above and beyond meeting some real needs of families who are being asked to shoulder a huge share of the cost of this war, our actions show these families and the public that we oppose the war not the troops and their families. Secondly, and quite consciously selfishly, it spreads awareness that we exist in this community. To oppose this war effectively, we need many more members and supporters. This type of support activity allows us to work and interact with other folks in the community.

We are in contact with the Muni’s folks who are already involved with this type of support. I would like to meet with them in the near future. If you would like to be involved in this let me know and we will schedule a meeting. I also presented our intent to the Anchorage Interfaith Council and one of the members was planning to solicit people to work with us as early as this Sunday.

For more information on the Stryker Brigade, go to http://groups.google.com/group/Bring-them-Home-Alaska?lnk=li&hl=en

Vietnam Frienship Village 9/22 (http://www.vietnamfriendship.org/)
There is a fundraiser on Friday Sep. 22 from 6 to 10 pm at the IBEW Union Hall (3333 Denali St, Anchorage) for this project which has a lot of support from VFP members here in Alaska. For more information contact: In Mat-Su: Michael Cull 746-7624, E-mail: micull@mtaonline.net and in Anchorage: Judith Moss 345-5351, E-mail: mossjudith@netscape.net

Camilo Meija 10/5
Camilo Meija was the first U.S. soldier to be jailed for refusing to redeploy to Iraq. Since his release in February 2005, Camilo has organized tirelessly against the war in Iraq. He is coming to speak on Oct. 5 at the Loussac Library at 7 pm. I have committed us to covering $200 of the expenses for his tour around Alaska (Fairbanks, Homer, Anchorage & Juneau). Here is a recent interview with him: http://www.counterpunch.org/ruder04292006.html

Kathy Kelly 10/7 & 10/16
Humanitarian aid worker and peace activist Kathy Kelly (http://vitw.org/) is coming to speak in Anchorage several times in October. The first time will be Sat, Oct. 7 and then again on Oct. 16. If you would like more information on Kathy’s tour, contact Jane Riggan at 333-1061

Counter-Recruitment
Over the summer we me with one of the folks active in the GI Rights and Counter-Recruitment movement. We will be inviting a representative back to talk with us more about how we could help.

Suel brought up the idea of sponsoring a scholarship for the best essay from a high school student on peace. This gets everyone talking and thinking about how to build peace. I am thinking we could possibly run an ad to help raise the money to fund the scholarship.