Join in Vets for Peace Armistice Day 2010 11 Bells Ring Out Joy for End of Violent Conflict

[annm4peace]

http://www.vfpchapter27.org/bells.htm

Once again, Veterans for Peace Chapter 27 is asking churches and other groups to join with us and ring the bells on or around Armistice Day, November 11, 2010. The Armistice of 1918 ended the terrible slaughter of World War I. The U.S.had experienced the death of over 116,000 men, plus many who were physically and mentally disabled, severely needing ongoing care. For one moment at the 11th hour of the 11th day on the 11th month, 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918 , the World agreed that World War 1, must be the War to End All Wars. There was exuberant joy everywhere and many churches rang their bells, some 11 times, to mark the signing of the armistice.

Veterans For Peace local chapter #27 will hold its annual bell ringing ceremony on Armistice/Veterans Day at the First Shot Memorial on Minnesota's Capitol grounds, Thursday, November, 11 at 11 a.m. Members and supporters will gather at 10:30 to participate in the ceremony.

The names of the Minnesota military personnel who have fallen during the eight years of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan will be read to memorialize their sacrifice. Also a special time will allow individual expressions of remembrances.

Below is the resolution passed at the national Veterans For Peace 2008 convention.

Whereas, bells worldwide were rung on November 11, 1918 to celebrate and recognize the ending of WWI, "The war to end all wars" and,

Whereas, to commemorate that peaceful pledge, bells were rung November 11 for over 35 years, and,

Whereas, legislation making November 11 a holiday passed in 1938, " ...a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be hereafter celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." and,

Whereas, The 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. and,

Whereas, the substitution of the word "Armistice" to "Veterans" changes the focus from peace to war by celebrating and honoring warriors and war, and,

Whereas, that November date symbolized the nation's desire to hold to a peaceful future and away from war, and,

Whereas, too often rhetoric and patriotic symbols are used instead of genuine compensation for the extraordinary sacrifices and services of military personnel, and,

Whereas, 90% of victims of wars are now civilians and by honoring only veterans, the public is distracted from the awful price paid by those other than military members, and,

Whereas, Chapter #27 has for over 17 years promoted the ringing of a bell eleven times at its ceremonies on November 11 and at other solemn occasions such as funerals to remind the public of that Armistice Day peace pledge, and

Whereas, the ringing of bells is so much more fitting and peaceful than the often-practiced gun salutes and fighter plane flyovers,

Therefore, be it resolved that Veterans For Peace, Inc. urges its memberships to adopt the procedure of honoring peace by focusing on bell ringing on Armistice Day, November 11 and other solemn occasions.

Here's How to Join in on 11 Bells:
Choose a time on or around November 11, where you can tell the story of 11 Bells and how people danced for joy at the end of warfare when the Armistice was signed.

Since November 11 this year falls on Thursday, it might be useful to have a ceremony Sunday, November 7, with a short note in the bulletin. Use the bell housed in your building or bring a smaller one into your meeting room. The ceremony can be 2-3 minutes as part of a program, or longer with special speakers, music, etc. (Vets for Peace have a speaker's bureau).

Use the reflection as a reminder of the worldwide importance of ending violent conflict, and of bringing full "peaceful return to civilian life" benefits to soldiers asked to serve in any conflict. Then align with the Minnesota Peace Agenda by going to www.minnesotapeaceproject.org to become part of a larger effort to educate government leaders on policy that could truly lead us to peace and justice for all.

We invite you also, as part of this effort, to join us in signing our petition on nuclear disarmament, asking President Obama to meet with world leaders at Pipestone to discuss further reducing nuclear weapons in the world.


Whatever is done, please read this statement aloud and print it in your bulletin:



The Armistice of 1918 ended the terrible slaughter of World War I. The U.S. alone had experienced the

death of over 116,000 soldiers, plus many more who were physically and mentally disabled. For one moment,

at the 11th hour of the llth day on the llth month, the world agreed that World War I must be the WAR TO END

ALL WARS. There was exuberant joy everywhere, and many churches rang their bells, some 11 times

at 11 a.m. on November 11, as the Armistice was signed. It went on until 1954, and then it was forgotten,

but now we do this again. We ring the bells 11 times, with a moment of silence, to remember the many

soldiers and civilians killed in warfare, and to make our own commitment to work for peace in our family,

our community, our nation, and our world.

[annm4peace]

1. See if there is a Vet for Peace Armisist Day in your area

http://www.veteransforpeace.org/Armistice_day_2010.vp.html

Boston, MA - Chapter 009

NAME OF EVENT: Boston Veteran's Day Parade
LOCATION OF EVENT: Corner of Charles and Beacon St.
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Once again, we will proudly be walking behind the street sweepers. Following the parade, we will be having our 2nd annual "Veterans Day For Peace" event at Fanuiel Hall. There will be speakers and entertainment.

We plan on having a presence at the Massachusetts State House prior to the parade at the Veterans Day Ceremony sponsored by the Mass Dept of Veterans Affairs. We will also be picketing the recruiters offices in Boston prior to the parade. TIME: 11am
DATE: November 11, 2010
CONTACT INFORMATION: Pat Scanlon, [e-mail]
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER: 009
WEBSITE: http://www.massvfp.org/


Burlington, VT - Chapter 057
NAME OF EVENT: University of Vermont Veterans Day Celebration
LOCATION OF EVENT: Billings North Lounge
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: An assemblage of campus military veterans and ROTC will speak at an intimate setting to what i means to them to be veterans. This is the second consecutive year this has been done; last year Veterans for Peace members received standing ovations and kudos from active duty members, veterans and civilians including dependents. Later Veterans fro Peace will move to the graveyard off of Camp Johnson in Colchester, Vermont, which is the National Guard/Reseve Command, where a cermony will be held by the American Legion and DAV who invited the participation of the Will Miller Green Mountain Veterans for Peace #57.
TIME: 0900/1100 hrs
DATE: November 11, 2010
CONTACT INFORMATION: Bert Thompson, [e-mail]
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER: Will Miller Green Mountain Veterans for Peace #57
WEBSITE: www.vetsforpeace57.com


Cleveland Heights, OH - Chapter 039
NAME OF EVENT: Veterans Day 2010
LOCATION OF EVENT: St Paul's Episcopal Church, 2747 Fairmount Blvd, Cleveland Heights, Ohio
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Veterans reading letters from veterans and family members past and present
TIME: 730pm
DATE: Thurs Nov 11, 2010
CONTACT INFORMATION: Art Dorland 216-371-6056
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER: Chapter 39


Nashville, TN - Chapter 089
NAME OF EVENT: Veterans Day Parade
LOCATION OF EVENT: Boradway Ave, Nashville TN
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Veterans Day Parade
TIME: 11:00
DATE: 11/11/2010
CONTACT INFORMATION: 615-485-1616 [e-mail]
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER: Chapter 89 Middle TN


Chicago, IL - Chapter 026
NAME OF EVENT: Combined VFP/VVAW/IVAW Veterans' Day Ceremony
LOCATION OF EVENT: Chicago Vietnam Veterans' Memorial, north-west corner Wacker & Wabash, Lower Level alongside Chicago River
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Folk Music preceding Ceremony, Speakers from IVAW, VFP and VVAW, on Iraq and Afghan wars, Veterans' Health and Benefit Issues, Military Counseling and other Topics. At conclusion of Ceremony, laying of flowers in Fountain at Memorial. There is usually a social get-together at Quenchers, Fullerton & Western Aves, Chicago. Announcement will be made at conclusion of Ceremony.
TIME: 11:00 A.M. Sharp.
DATE: Thursday, November 11, 2010
CONTACT INFORMATION: mike [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail]
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER: Cpl. Joseph E, Powers- Chicago Area Chapter 26
WEBSITE: www.chicagovfp.org


New York, New York - Chapter 034

NAME OF EVENT: New York City Veterans Day Parade
LOCATION OF EVENT: New York, New York
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: We will be marching in the New York City Veterans Day Parade along with members of VFP Chapters 34, 60 & 138.
TIME: 11:00am to 3:00pm
DATE: 11-11-10
CONTACT INFORMATION: [e-mail]
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER: Chapter 034

Iowa City, IA - Chapter 161
NAME OF EVENT: Armistice Day Observance
LOCATION OF EVENT: Clinton St. Sidewalk East of Old Capitol, Iowa City, IA
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Public is invited to join Veterans For Peace Iowa Chapter #161 and other organizations in observing Armistice Day. Names of US armed service members killed in Iraq & Afghanistan will be read, as well as names of some of the civilian dead in those countries.
Iowa City churches will ring their bells at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
The Observance will be followed by a lunch and the first official meeting of the new Iowa Chapter #161 at Old Brick @ 26 E. Market St.
TIME: 11:00 AM Sharp!
DATE: November 11, 2010
CONTACT INFORMATION: Ed Flaherty, [e-mail]
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER: Iowa Veterans For Peace Chapter #161

Minneapolis / St. Paul - Chapter 027
NAME OF EVENT: Armistice Day Event
LOCATION OF EVENT: First Shot Memorial on the Minnesota Capitol grounds
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: 10:30 – 11:00 - Ancient Mourning Song of the Dakota “ La Qui Parle”: Duke Addicks

V.F.P. Roots of Remembrance: Steve McKeown, Jed Garthune

Song: “Willy McBride”: Bridget McDonald, Michael Bailey, Molly Culligan, & Michael Zingman

Meaning & Development of Armistice-a visualization - Molly Culligan
Oldest Known Dakota Flute Song “La Frambeau” - Duke Addicks

11:00 – 11:30 - Bell Ringing, Iraq War Veterans and V.F.P. members Wes Davies & Chante Wolf

Reading of Names of those killed from Minnesota in Iraq and Afghanistan - Veterans for Peace

Song: “Don’t Take My Baby To War” - Channy Moon- Casselle from Roma di Luna
Commitment to Peace - V.F.P. President Larry Johnson

We will ring bells at the University of St. Catherine's chapel in St. Paul at 6:30 that night during a tribute to Howard Zinn . Members will explain the history of Armistice Day and its conversion to Veterans Day along with the reading of a poem and the quote from Kurt Vonnegut's statement on Armistice Day.

Others from our chapter will participate in an Armistice Day celebration at Brit's Pub in downtown Minneapolis at 6:30. There they will be joined by a military color guard by active military personnel and will again ring the bell 11 times after a brief note of the history of bell ringing on Armistice Day. The bells from the Minneapolis Court House will ring out along with the bells from the Cathedral of the St. Paul Archdiocese in St. Paul along with more than 50 area churches and schools.
TIME: 10:30 - 11:30am
DATE: November 11, 2010
CONTACT INFORMATION: Bob Heberle, [e-mail]
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER: VFP Chapter 027

Milwaukee, WI - Chapter 102
NAME OF EVENT: Armistice Day Celebration
LOCATION OF EVENT: City Hall Rotunda, Milwaukee, WI
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Veterans Day Observance In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11th as Veterans Day and called upon Americans everywhere to rededicate themselves to the cause of peace. He issued a Presidential Order directing the head of the Veterans Administration, now the Department of Veterans Affairs, to form a Veterans Day National Committee to organize and oversee the national observance of Veterans Day. In what now has become an annual event of The Milwaukee Chapter of Veterans for Peace, a Veteran's Day Program will be held November 11th, 7PM in the Milwaukee City Hall Rotunda with speaker's Matthew Rothschild and Vera Roddy with music provided by Richard Pinney and Jason Moon. Free and open to the public, this year's theme "How's the war economy working for you?"
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
DATE: November 11 - Armistice Day
CONTACT INFORMATION: [e-mail]
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER: VFP 102 - Milwaukee
WEBSITE: http://www.milwaukeevfp.org/

Spokane, WA - Chapter 035
NAME OF EVENT: Eleventh Day, Twelfh Hour
LOCATION OF EVENT: Riverfront Park, Spokane, WA
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Spokane Veterans for Peace and supporters will gather at Noon on November 11th, at the Vietnam Veteran Statue, uphill and north of the Lilac Bowl. There will be reflections on Armistice Day and open mic commentary on the veteran's place in our community, followed by a memorial procession to another part of the park.
TIME: Noon
DATE: November 11
CONTACT INFORMATION: [e-mail], 509.291.4646
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER: Spokane #035

Killeen, TX
NAME OF EVENT: VFP JOINS KILLEEN'S VETERANS DAY PARADE
LOCATION OF EVENT: Killeen, TX
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Central TX members of VFP will be joining Killeen's Veterans' Day Parade, unless the organizers don't allow us to enter. If that happens, we will have at least two options. 1. We can hold our banners and signs, wearing our VFP atire, while we stand along the parade route. 2. We could do #1 until the parade passed our location on the sidewalk. Then, we could just add ourselves on to the end of the parade.
TIME: 9:30 am-We will gather at Under The Hood Cafe, 17 S. College St. Killeen TX
DATE: Veterans Day, November 11, 2010
CONTACT INFORMATION: Larry Egly 245-630-9141 or [e-mail]
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER: Members in the Killeen area

Corvallis, OR - Chapter 132
NAME OF EVENT: Veteans Day Parade
LOCATION OF EVENT: Albany, OR
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Chapter 132 will be marching in the Veterans’ Day Parade in Albany, Oregon. It is billed as the biggest V-Day parade west of the Mississippi and our chapter has marched in it for the last several years, joined by members of Chapter 159.
TIME: 11am
DATE: November 11
CONTACT INFORMATION: Leah Bolger, [e-mail]
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER: Chapter 132
WEBSITE:

Hartford, CT - Chapter 042
NAME OF EVENT: Hartford 2010 Veterans Day Parade
LOCATION OF EVENT: Downtown Hartford (Meet at the intersection of Buckingham St. & Hudson St.)
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: For the last several years, the Veterans for Peace, their family, and friends were met with clapping and cheers as they participated in the 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 parades. Despite official attempts to prevent the anti-war contingent from participating in the parade following the 2003 Iraq Invasion, the contingent has become an integral part of the parade. Come out this year to march and show your support for the troops! Demand an end to the occupation of Iraq and an end to the War in Iraq!
TIME: Arrive 11:30a - Noon
DATE: Sunday, November 7
CONTACT INFORMATION: Dave Ionno, [e-mail]
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER: Chapter 42

Hood River, OR
NAME OF EVENT: Armistice Day Candle Light Vigil
LOCATION OF EVENT: Hood River Oregon
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Honor Vets by waging Peace
TIME: 5:30 pm
DATE: 11/12/10
CONTACT INFORMATION: [e-mail]
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER: Columbia River Fellowship for Peace
WEBSITE: www.columbiapeace.org

Auburn, WA - Chapter 92
NAME OF EVENT: Auburn, WA Veterans Day Parade
LOCATION OF EVENT: Auburn, WA
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: We have marched in this military-oriented parade for about five years now - and have of course received a mixed reception from the crowd. I have found it useful and have visited with some active duty and families.
TIME: 11:00am
DATE: 11/6/10
CONTACT INFORMATION: [e-mail]
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER: Chapter 92
WEBSITE: http://www.vfptacoma.com/

Bethlehem, PA - Chapter 152
NAME OF EVENT: Armistice Day Remembrance - VFP Ch 152 protests U.S. killing in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen
LOCATION OF EVENT: Bethlehem Rose Garden - 8th Avenue and Union Blvd.
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Tombstones honoring each Pa. military member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Signs protesting ongoing occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan and signs reminding the public that Veterans Day was originally meant to foster peace and understanding among the nations of the world, NOT to glorify war.
TIME: 7:30am until dusk (5:00pm)
DATE: November 11, 2010
CONTACT INFORMATION: Louise Legun 484-248-6113 [e-mail]
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER: Thomas Paine Chapter 152, Lehigh Valley VFP

Portland, OR - Chapter 072
NAME OF EVENT: Armistice Day: A Day of Peace and Remembrance
LOCATION OF EVENT: Pioneer Courthouse Square, Portland, Oregon
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Taps played at 11:11 a.m. Silence. Veteran speakers. Participants will make peace sign on ground consisting of red poppies.
TIME: 11:11 a.m.
DATE: November 11
CONTACT INFORMATION: [e-mail]
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER: VFP Chapter 72, Portland, Oregon
WEBSITE: www.vfpchapter72.org

Seattle, WA - Chapter 092
NAME OF EVENT: Veterans and Friends Celebrate Armistice Day
LOCATION OF EVENT: Bethany United Church of Christ, 6230 Beacon Ave. S. (at S. Graham), Seattle, WA 98108
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Veterans and Friends Celebrate Armistice Day *Folksinger George Mann will sing songs about veterans and peace *Veterans and artists with the Vets Art Project will share performance pieces based on experiences with the military and war * Veterans and friends will read from Howard Zinn's People's History of the United States, about World War I and Armistice Day. * Surprise Guests and Discussion
TIME: 7 pm - 9 pm
DATE: Saturday, November 13
CONTACT INFORMATION: [e-mail], 206-499-1220
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER: Greater Seattle Veterans For Peace (VFP 92)
WEBSITE: www.vfp92.org

Washington D.C. - Chapter 016
NAME OF EVENT: Armistice Day Outreach and Dinner
LOCATION OF EVENT: Washington D.C. National Mall
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Please join your VFP chapter for an afternoon of outreach followed by a dinner on Armistice Day November 11, 2010. The proposed schedule is listed below and directions are enclosed for the restaurant where we will gather at 5 pm for dinner. If you can join us for dinner please RSVP 8by November 10. Call and leave a message for Tony Teolis at 703-402-1763. “Armistice Day has become Veteran's Day. Armistice Day was sacred. Veteran's Day is not…Armistice Day I will keep. I don't want to throw away any sacred things." Kurt Vonnegut 1:00 PM Ceremony at Vietnam Veterans Memorial. (Optional) 1:30 PM Meet at 21st St and Constitution Ave near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 2:00 PM Talk with passersby about VFP and our campaigns. 4:30 PM Head up 538 23rd St for dinner and camaraderie at Sizzling Express. Info below. 5:00 PM Dinner at Sizzling Express 7:00 PM Return to normal programming. Sizzling Express www.sizzlingexpress.com/index2.shtml
TIME: 1:30 - 7:00 p.m.
DATE: November 11, 2010
CONTACT INFORMATION: 703-402-1763
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER: Chapter 16 Delwin Anderson Memorial Chapter

Ann Arbor, MI - Chapter 093
NAME OF EVENT: Arlington Michigan Display & Veterans Day March
LOCATION OF EVENT: Ann Arbor Michigan
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: Continuing the tradition, VFP Chapter 93 will hold its annual Arlington Michigan display (one cross for every Michigan solider killed in Iraq and Afghanistan) on Veterans Day, November 11th, at Ann Arbor Veterans Park (corner of Maple and Jackson Roads) from 11am to dusk. There will also be a Veterans Day peace event at the display site at 11am, followed by a march from the Arlington site to the Ann Arbor VA hospital with the theme of mourning the dead, but taking care of the living veterans. As always, help is needed to set up the Arlington display on November 11th and if you can help out, be at the site at 10am. Also, marchers are needed for the walk to the VA hospital (3.4 miles). At the VA hospital, transportation will be arranged to take marchers back to Veterans Park. If you can help out setting up the Arlington Michigan display, or marching to the VA hospital, please contact Bob Krzewinski at [e-mail] or call 734-487-9058.
TIME: 11am to dusk
DATE: Thursday, November 11th
CONTACT INFORMATION: Bob Krzewinski - [e-mail] - 734-487-9058
SPONSORED BY / VFP CHAPTER NUMBER: VFP Chapter 93
WEBSITE: www.vfp93.org