2015 Chapter 001 Summary of Actions, News, and Events

December 20, 2015 | Reports

veterans for peace maine
  • Member Gerry Kamke wrote poems/turned into songs/used by Regis Tremblay in his video interviews/films
  • Members attended 3rd annual Rally for Unity in the Hall of Flags at state capital
  • Endorsed the “Mobilization for a Nuclear-Free, Peaceful, Just, and Sustainable World in NYC
  • Donation made to support chapter 003 in Bangor
  • Full Disclosure/Letters to the Wall-letters placed by members at the Wall in Washington, D.C. on Memorial Day
  • Member purchased 200 books on how capitalism is impacting the planet. Distributed to various schools, libraries etc.
  • Members attended the very moving play “The Lonely Soldier-Women at War in Iraq” by Helen Benedict
  • Sponsored talk and film showing by two activists from Juju Island, South Korea and the battle against the Navy base being constructed
  • Co-sponsored Larry Dansinger and “We Do Have the Power” organizing event at UMA
  • Approved $ to purchase and place full page add in 2015 National Convention booklet
  • Purchased 25 copies of updated version of “Addicted to War” to have for events and tabling
  • Members get into schools to talk to high school and college students
  • Approved donation to Russell Libby Scholarship Fund
  • Approved donation to national MFSO organization
  • Members participated in Memorial Day Parade in Brunswick
  • Approved donation to Auburn Library to have Iraq War Veteran Luis Montalvan to talk about his book
  • Members attend annual MaineShare meeting in Augusta
  • Approved donation to homeless program in Portland (many homeless are vets)
  • Members attended Elders for Future Generations meetings
  • Members attended “Spring Mobilization For Peace” at BIW
  • Regis interviewed chapter members for his Veterans video series. Chapter approved $ for his trip to interview more veterans
  • Approved $ for two members to travel to National Convention in San Diego, CA
  • Members travel to Gaza in support of Palestinian people
  • Members met with representatives from Brunswick Air Station to discuss the planned Blue Angel event
  • Approved donation for VFP add in National Lawyers Guild magazine
  • Accepted donation from Waterville Bridges for Peace and Justice in recognition of our good work
  • Members participated in July 4th parade in Bath
  • Members participated in Old Hallowell Day Parade winning the “Spirit of Hallowell” award
  • Member presence at Belfast Peace Festival
  • Members a prominent part of National Day of Action “No War in Iraq” event in Portland
  • Donation made to purchase add in booklet for the annual Harvest Supper supported by Bangor Peace and Justice
  • Approved donation to sponsor Kathy Kelly coming to Speak
  • Members tabled at the Brunswick Peace Fair and Richard opened the Fair with remarks and presentation of the annual Peace Maker award
  • Member attended event at Auburn Public Library by Iraq War veteran Luis Montalvan
  • Members attended and tabled at 1st annual MaineShare event in Portland
  • Members demonstrated for Peace at Blue Angels “show” in Brunswick
  • Accepted grant $ from Maine Community Foundation in support of Maine Peace Walk
  • Tabled three days of Common Ground Country Fair. Member took MaieShare supplies to fair. Member spoke at Social/Political Action Speaker’s tent in support of MaineShare. Member had poetry reading/talk in the Russell Libby grotto
  • Members demonstrated outside BIW at latest “Christening” of Naval war ship
  • Members attended talk by Phyllis Bennis “Understanding ISIS and the Global War on Terror”
  • Members supported and chapter donations made to Maine Peace Walk “Walk to Stop the Militarization of the Seas”
  • Approved paying rental fee for the theater in Waterville to have showing and talk by Regis on his documentary “Ghosts of Jeju”
  • Successful bowling fundraiser for MaineShare held in Brunswick
  • Members attended showing of “Ghosts of Jeju” at Railroad Square Cinema in Waterville. Film also shown at a university in London, England
  • Member attended Maine Hospice Council Conference at Togus VA Hospital
  • Member traveled and participated in SOA Watch
  • Through a contact made via our website info…member visited vet in need of conversation toward end of life
  • Provided endorsement of rally in Boston addressing climate change
  • Member featured speaker at Spectrum Generations “Lunch and Learn” in Damariscotta. Other members present also
  • Large presence at Monument Square in Portland to stand witness on Armistice Day as parade went by
  • Lengthy chapter discussion on USAID funds to help Vietnamese peasants deal with Agent Orange and unexploded ordnance
  • Longtime member Tim Blanchette passed away
  • Tim Blanchette PRESENTE! Tim Blanchette PRESENTE! Tim Blanchette PRESENTE!
  • Members of the Elders group and Moms Against Gun Violence and chapter 001 plan meeting and then descend on the Augusta office of Senator King and take over an hour of staff time helping get them on the right side of the issue
  • Gerry Kamke replacing Bud on Board of Directors for 3 year term (normal rotation)
  • Member wrote to local paper about where it would be better to spend millions of $ instead of on a “stealth” destroyer
  • Member proudly flew VFP flag in Portland at event to support the welcome of Syrian refugees
  • Member proudly flew VFP flag on Memorial Bridge in Augusta at vigil for Peace, Tolerance and Diversity
  • Chapter members visited Jeju Island and Okinawa in support of local people being displaced by US bases
  • Member does poetry workshop every week at Togus VA Hospital