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DMZ: the newsletter of the Clarence Fitch Chapter
Vietnam Veterans Against the War
New York/New Jersey August 1993
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WELCOME TO THE DMZ
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DMZ (De-Militarized Zone) was started in 1987 to provide a voice
for the New York/New Jersey chapters of Vietnam Veterans Against
the War, and for all veterans. Unfortunately at that time we were
unable to sustain it and suspended regular publication.
Here we go again. Our plans are a little more modest. To begin
with we want to put it out every six to eight weeks, and
eventually monthly. This is the second issue in the new series.
DMZ's purpose is to promote the programs, activities and views of
the Clarence Fitch Chapter (New York/New Jersey) of VVAW, and to
serve as a forum for our members and friends to sound off about
issues and events. All material can be used or distributed freely
(except where noted).
But to make it successful, we need your involvement and help.
Here are a few suggestions:
(1) Submit articles, photos, poems, etc. which you would like
published.
(2) Help with the production of the newsletter.
(3) Distribute the DMZ to your friends and at places where
other vets gather such as vets centers, VA hospitals,
unemployment offices, union halls, and other veterans
organizations.
(4) Make a contribution to help cover the costs of
publication and mailing.
All submissions and inquiries should be sent to:
Clarence Fitch Chapter
Vietnam Veterans Against the War
P.O. Box 74, Van Brunt Station
Brooklyn, New York, 11215
E-mail: vvaw@blythe.org
Or call us at 718-826-1789, anytime day or night.
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CONTENTS
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VIET VET EXECUTED IN FLORIDA, by Dave Cline
BUSH PARDONS CRONIES, by Steve Geiger
CHAPTER NEWS, by Dave Cline & Ben Chitty
HOMELESS VETERANS UPDATE, by Mike Gold
BIG MOUNTAIN UPDATE, by Bruce Dunnett
THE MORE THINGS CHANGE (LAREDO), by Steve Somerstein
DISAPPEARED-DETAINED JUNE 10, 1990, by Louis De Benedette
VETERANS INTERNATIONAL, by Ben Chitty
VIETNAM VETERANS AGAINST THE WAR:
Where We Came From, Who We Are, Who Can Join
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BIG MOUNTAIN UPDATE Letter from Bruce Dunnett
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Dear Brothers & Sisters in VVAW,
My letter concerns the struggle of the Indigenous People at Big
Mountain in Arizona.
On May 23rd, the same day we held the benefit you co-sponsored,
the Dineh people and their supporters were gathering to celebrate
the removal of the foreign and oppressive instruments of U.S.
intervention through the puppet governments established by the
Bureau of Indian Affairs--the barbed wire fence. The people, both
Dineh and Hopi traditionals, had decided to meet at the fork in
the road at the spot where the fence begins. They planned to begin
their own removal of this obstacle to unity in defiance to the
"mediation process" forced upon them by the U.S. Department of
Justice in total disregard of their religious freedom and national
sovereignty. It seems the invading forces did not want any bad
publicity at this time, so they sent their own paid (BIA) agents
to start dismantling the fence. Also the mediation deadline has
been extended until December 15th.
The people's spirit is very strong. The council of Elders and
Youth has issued a statement that they will no more be concerned
with trying to create understanding in those who refuse to
understand. They are done waiting for foreign "authorization" to
live and pray in their own ways. They understand this "mediation
process" is a mechanism of deceit, installed to create confusion
and disharmony while the tentacles of the industrial beast grab
ahold ever stronger! They have begun to rebuild their lives and
ceremonial centers upon the Sacred Areas given to them by the Cre-
ator at the beginnings of time, as they have been taught by their
ancestors and as they continue to pass on to their children. So
May 23rd turned out to be a day of celebration, and we have been
honored to participate in this moment together!
Over the following days, through many meetings in the various
communities at Big Mountain, came a plan to make a trip to
Washington, DC, tentatively scheduled for the end of July or the
beginning of August. So far twenty elders and youth from all the
affected communities have committed to this: the total may exceed
forty. We have already contacted supporters in the Washington
area, who will provide housing and local transportation. Funding
for travel expenses is being raised by the Tucson Big Mountain
Support Group/Peabody Watch in league with Native Support Network
on the west coast. They are working on raising money from west
coast musicians such as The Grateful Dead and hope to get people
from the old Hog Farm to supply buses.
The Big Mountain resisters expect a long hard winter, necessitat-
ing a good supply run from all the support groups. We are already
working on another benefit, scheduled for November at Columbia
University in New York City, in league with Rastafarian people in
Jamaica. We may be able to coordinate this benefit with the annual
Navajo Rug Show. We have to use these events to generate as many
supplies as we can. Will keep you posted!
In the struggle for the truth to be realized, we are related.
Bruce Dunnett
Society P.I.C.T
July 2nd, 1993
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Bruce Dunnett heads the Society to Preserve Indigenous Culture &
Tradition of Brick, New Jersey, and is a member of the Clarence
Fitch Chapter of Vietnam Veterans Against the War.
The Big Mountain fund-raiser at Art Stocks Playpen cleared over
$1000 for the resistance. The community at the Anna May Survival
Camp has decided to use the money to buy reconstruction materials.
(Photo by Graywolf)
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VIETNAM VETERANS AGAINST THE WAR
Where we came from, who we are, who can join
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Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Inc. (VVAW) is a national
veterans organization that was founded in New York City in 1967
after six Vietnam vets marched together in a peace demonstration.
It was organized to voice the growing opposition among returning
servicemen and women to the still raging war in Indochina, and
grew rapidly to a membership of over 30,000 throughout the United
States as well as active-duty GIs stationed in Vietnam. Through
ongoing actions and grass-roots organization, VVAW exposed the
ugly truth about US involvement in Southeast Asia and our first-
hand experiences helped many other Americans to see the unjust
nature of that war.
VVAW quickly took up the struggle for the rights and needs of
veterans. In 1970 we started the first rap groups to deal with
traumatic after-effects of war, setting the example for
readjustment counselling at Vets Centers now. We exposed the
shameful neglect of many disabled vets in VA hospitals and helped
draft legislation to improve educational benefits and create job
programs. VVAW fought for amnesty for war resisters including
vets with bad discharges. We helped make known the negative
health effects of exposure to chemical defoliants and the VA's
attempts to cover up these conditions, as well as their continued
refusal to provide treatment and compensation for most Agent
Orange victims.
Today our government is still financing and arming undemocratic
and repressive regimes around the world. Recently American troops
have been sent into combat in the Middle East and Central America
for many of the same misguided reasons that were used to send us
to Southeast Asia. Meanwhile many veterans are still denied
justice - facing unemployment, discrimination, homelessness, post-
traumatic stress disorder and other health problems while already
inadequate services are being cut back or eliminated.
We believe that service to our country and communities did not end
when we were discharged. We remain committed to the struggle for
peace and for social and economic justice for all people. We will
continue to oppose senseless military adventures and to teach the
real lessons of the Vietnam War. We will do all we can to prevent
another generation from being put through a similar tragedy, and
we will continue to demand dignity and respect for veterans of all
eras. This is real patriotism, and we remain true to our mission.
VVAW is a democratic organization. Chapters decide on local
rograms and projects under the general guidelines of the national
program. Chapters elect local leadership and representatives to
annual national meetings where major organizational decisions are
made and national coordinators elected. These coordinators are
responsible for the day-to-day organizational leadership of VVAW
and for issuing national publications.
The Clarence Fitch Chapter is the New York/New Jersey area chapter
of VVAW. You can support us in a number of ways:
(1) Join Vietnam Veterans Against the War. Membership is open to
all veterans, their families and friends. An application is
available on request. Annual dues are $20 (FREE to unemployed and
incarcerated veterans and friends). You get all local and
national publications, like this issue of DMZ, and notices of
local chapter meetings and events. We have ongoing speaking,
video, publication, reconciliation, and humanitarian aid projects
which need your participation and support.
(2) Make a contribution. Any amount will help, no matter how
large or small. But we suggest at least $10 to stay on the
regular mailing list. On request, we can now arrange to send
reminders if you wish to make a monthly contribution. A sustainer
form appears on the reverse of the membership application.
We hope to hear from you.
In solidarity, for VVAW
Ben Chitty, Dave Cline
Chapter Coordinators
Clarence Fitch Chapter
Vietnam Veterans Against the War
P.O. Box 74, Van Brunt Station
Brooklyn, New York, 11215
E-mail: vvaw@blythe.org
(Telephone 718-826-1789, anytime day or night)
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