VFP Maine Chapter News

Golden Rule Activities in Maine

Golden Rule Activities in Maine

A week of peace, community and education to begin with the arrival of the Golden Rule in Portland, Maine, on Sunday, June 25th, 2023.

Maine Veterans For Peace Honored Samantha Smith

Maine Veterans For Peace Honored Samantha Smith

On Monday, June 5th, the Maine chapter of Veterans For Peace honored the life and legacy of the late Samantha Smith at the Best ...

Rage Against the Machine

Rage Against the Machine

WATCH: Anti-War Rally at Lincoln Memorial Anti-war advocates from left and right converged at the Lincoln Memorial Sunday to protest ...

Peter Woodruff Presente!

Peter Woodruff Presente!

On December 14th, sixteen people gathered at the Curtis Memorial Library to celebrate the life of Peter Woodruff.  Peter's widow, ...

Armistice Day in Portland 2022

Armistice Day in Portland 2022

Armistice Day Parade 2022 in Portland, Maine

Howard Zinn Lifetime Achievement Award

Howard Zinn Lifetime Achievement Award

Doug Rawlings receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Swords to Plowshares

Swords to Plowshares

Tools forged from unwanted firearms are donated to community gardens and agricultural schools along the East Coast. On Saturday, ...

Promoting Pro-Peace Advocacy at Lewiston Event – Photos

Promoting Pro-Peace Advocacy at Lewiston Event – Photos

Dozens turn out to commemorate the Hiroshima bombing anniversary and to celebrate the late Dr. Bernard Lown.

Invited, One and All; August 6th is Hiroshima Day

Invited, One and All; August 6th is Hiroshima Day

Lewiston, Maine. Gendron Franco Center. Join us in recommitting to no-nuclear-war and commemorating Bernard Lown.

How the first chapter Veterans for Peace was founded in Maine

How the first chapter Veterans for Peace was founded in Maine

I was involved with others in the founding of Veterans For Peace in 1985 here in Maine. Here's what it was like from my point of view.

Cau Tre (Bamboo Bridge)

Cau Tre (Bamboo Bridge)

Conversations between a Vietnamese Refugee and a veteran of the war. New book by Teresa Mei Chuc and Doug Rawlings.

Armistice Day 2021 Video and Photos

Armistice Day 2021 Video and Photos

Veterans For Peace at monument square in Portland on Armistice Day, 2021. Video and photo by Martha Speiss.

A Tax Day Event

A Tax Day Event

Since the people now in power have no intention of changing their priorities and will continue to squander OUR MONEY on the pursuit of ...

Stan Lofchie (1925-2020)

Stan Lofchie (1925-2020)

Long time Veterans For Peace member, Stan Lofchie, 95, passed away on December 2, 2020.

Armistice Day, Portland 2020

Armistice Day, Portland 2020

On Armistice Day 2020 fifteen of us from Veterans For Peace, Maine, and other stalwart souls gathered at Monument Square

Bob Dale (1925-2020)

Bob Dale (1925-2020)

Robert “Bob” L. Dale, 95, died peacefully at home June 22, 2020 with family by his side.

Social distancing, isolation & firearm suicides in Maine

Social distancing, isolation & firearm suicides in Maine

During this time of social distancing and isolation, a reminder to check on those you know and love who may be struggling, and have access to guns.

National Suicide Prevention Helpline

National Suicide Prevention Helpline

If you’re feeling isolated, anxious or depressed during these times of uncertainty, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255.

Rob Pfeiffer (1945-2019)

Rob Pfeiffer (1945-2019)

Obituary: Lifelong member of Veterans For Peace. Rob Pfeiffer was a former Marine and veteran of the US war in Vietnam.

Armistice Day Parade, Portland 2019

Armistice Day Parade, Portland 2019

Armistice (Veterans) Day Parade in Portland, Marine. Veterans For Peace Chapter 001 flag brigade holds vigil.

Podcast: “It was a very thin line” – Doug Rawlings, VFP Maine President

Podcast: “It was a very thin line” – Doug Rawlings, VFP Maine President

“Oh yeah, they said there were rules of engagement. And their officers would tell you that, “No, my unit never did any of this,” and all this kind of stuff. But not really. It was a very thin line and you could very easily step across it.”

Veterans For Peace Maine say: Ban assault weapons

Veterans For Peace Maine say: Ban assault weapons

Members of Veterans For Peace Maine say: Ban assault weapons - Stop killing the children! Photo by Peter Morgan.

Memorial Day 2019 Video

Memorial Day 2019 Video

Short video of the Veterans For Peace Maine entry in the 2019 Memorial Day Parade that marched from Topsham to Brunswick.

Armistice (Veterans) Day 2018

Armistice (Veterans) Day 2018

Veterans For Peace Maine's entry in the Armistice (Veterans) Day Parade 2018 and vigil.

198 Methods of Nonviolent Action

198 Methods of Nonviolent Action

By Gene Sharp, from The Politics of Nonviolent Action (Vol. 2) Practitioners of nonviolent struggle have an entire arsenal of ...

My Lai Memorial Exhibit 2018 Portland, Maine

My Lai Memorial Exhibit 2018 Portland, Maine

Veterans For Peace Maine sponsored the traveling Ly Lai Memorial Exhibit at the Portland Media Center, Portland, Maine. Our Memorial Exhibit honoring the Vietnamese who died in their American War is a strong, anti-war response to the Pentagon’s campaign.

VFP in Washington DC; Memorial Day Parade 2018

VFP in Washington DC; Memorial Day Parade 2018

Great VFP presence at Vietnam and Korean War veteran memorials. Many great actions by VFP chapters around the country. Thanks once ...

Veterans Day 2017 Portland, Maine

Veterans Day 2017 Portland, Maine

VFP Chapter 1 at Monument Square in Portland on Veterans Day 2017. Photos by Peter Woodruff.

2017 Peace Walk

2017 Peace Walk

October 13-21, 2017 The sixth Maine Peace Walk for Conversion, Community and Climate will be from October 13-21. This year the walk ...

Memorial Day 2017 Washington DC Report and Photos

Memorial Day 2017 Washington DC Report and Photos

VFP Chapter 1 was well represented in Washington, DC for Memorial Day activities.

Memorial Day 2017 Photos, Topsham/Brunswick

Memorial Day 2017 Photos, Topsham/Brunswick

Photos of Veterans For Peace Maine and PeaceWorks at the 2017 Topsham/Brunswick Memorial Day Parade. Photos by Martha Spiess.

Zumwalt 12 Found Guilty of Civil Disobedience at Bath Iron Works

Zumwalt 12 Found Guilty of Civil Disobedience at Bath Iron Works

On June 19th, 2016, 12 peace activists were arrested at the Bath Iron Works christening of a “Zumwalt” class stealth destroyer.

Photos from the Augusta Women’s Rights Vigil

Photos from the Augusta Women’s Rights Vigil

Veterans For Peace Maine members joined the the Women’s Rights Vigil in Augusta.

2016 Chapter 001 Summary of Actions, News, and Events

2016 Chapter 001 Summary of Actions, News, and Events

➢Member showed chapter the opening to his new documentary. Approved $ to continue his work ➢Report to chapter of meeting with Sen. ...

Donation to Penobscot Nation for Standing Rock

Donation to Penobscot Nation for Standing Rock

VFP Chapter 1 folks photo taken December 1st with Sherri Mitchell and Chief Francis of the Penobscot Nation and VFP members. The first ...

Veterans Day 2016, Portland, Maine

Veterans Day 2016, Portland, Maine

Photos by Brian Clement, November 2016. Veterans For Peace Maine at the Veterans Day Parade in Portland, Maine.

Maine Peace Walk 2016

Maine Peace Walk 2016

From Penobscot Nation at Indian Island to Kittery, Maine. October 11-26, 2016.

Vietnam Full Disclosure

Vietnam Full Disclosure

Veterans For Peace Maine supports the new Vietnam Full Disclosure effort, a Veterans For Peace campaign to speak truth to power and ...

David Vine: American Bases Around The World

David Vine: American Bases Around The World

David Vine is the author of the landmark book, Base Nation, on US military bases around the world. This is an eye-opening, factual ...

Memorial Day 2016 Photos

Memorial Day 2016 Photos

Veterans For Peace Maine at the 2016 Topsham/Brunswick Memorial Day Parade. Photos by Nancy Randolph.

Jeju/Okinawa Dispatches by Dud Hendrick

Jeju/Okinawa Dispatches by Dud Hendrick

The protest has been continuing virtually non-stop for over 8 years, testimony to the depth of the passions the base has ignited. During my first visit it was already clear that it would take a miraculous turn of events to stop the project.

2015 Chapter 001 Summary of Actions, News, and Events

2015 Chapter 001 Summary of Actions, News, and Events

Member Gerry Kamke wrote poems/turned into songs/used by Regis Tremblay in his video interviews/films Members attended 3rd annual ...

Armistice (Veterans) Day 2015 in Portland

Armistice (Veterans) Day 2015 in Portland

Veterans For Peace Maine holds wet vigil at Portland Armistice (Veterans) Day Parade 2015. Photos courtesy of Rita Clement.

VFP Maine Bowling Fundraiser for MaineShare

VFP Maine Bowling Fundraiser for MaineShare

Maine VFP Bowling Fundraiser for MaineShare at Yankee Lanes Photos by Peter Woodruff via Dropbox

Maine Walk for Peace 2015

Maine Walk for Peace 2015

If the seas die so do humans on Earth and much of the wildlife. Now is the time to speak out for ending the massive military impacts on the world’s oceans and for conversion of our fossil fuel dependent military industrial complex to sustainable technologies.

Protesting at the Brunswick Air Show

Protesting at the Brunswick Air Show

We stood for just over three hours at the entrance to the former Navy base in Brunswick, Maine today while thousands of people limped their way toward the Blue Angels airshow in a major traffic jam.

Letters to the Wall; Memorial Day 2015

Letters to the Wall; Memorial Day 2015

Report and photo by Ellen Davidson By now, most of you probably know what a fabulous event Doug Rawlings put together yesterday. It ...

Memorial Day 2015 Photos

Memorial Day 2015 Photos

Veterans For Peace Maine and PeaceWorks at the 2015 Brunswick/Topsham ​Memorial Day Parade. Video courtesy of Peter Woodruff. Photos courtesy of Richard Clement.

2014 Chapter 004 Summary of Actions, News, and Events

2014 Chapter 004 Summary of Actions, News, and Events

January New chapter by-laws rewritten and approved Hosted Tarak Kauff & Ellen Davidson who gave a talk on their recent visit ...

Memorial Day 2014 Topsham/Brunswick Photos

Memorial Day 2014 Topsham/Brunswick Photos

Veterans For Peace Maine at the 2014 Memorial Day Parade.

Zumwalt destroyer protest at Bath Ironworks Video

Zumwalt destroyer protest at Bath Ironworks Video

The Zumwalt destroyer was “christened” today at Bath Iron Works. Over 100 people protested the event. Video by Regis Tremblay.

Inside Occupied Palestine in Brunswick

Inside Occupied Palestine in Brunswick

Presentation on Inside Occupied Palestine in Brunswick by Tarak Kauff, Ellen Davidson and Yonatan Shapira.

Tom Strutevant Peace Pole Dedication

Tom Strutevant Peace Pole Dedication

Tom Strutevant Peace Pole Dedication video filmed by Peter Woodwroff.

No War in Syria Protest in Portland

No War in Syria Protest in Portland

Video by Regis Tremblay. This was what Maine people had to say about the U.S. threats to bomb Syria at a protest in Monument Square August 31, 2013 in Portland, Maine.

Memorial Day 2013 Topsham/Brunswick Parade

Memorial Day 2013 Topsham/Brunswick Parade

Greater Brunswick PeaceWorks and Veterans for Peace members in Topsham/Brunswick Memorial Day 2013 parade. Photos by Regis Tremblay.

Memorial Day 2013 Photos

Memorial Day 2013 Photos

Veterans For Peace Maine at the 2013 Memorial Day Parade.

Maine VFP at the Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Maine VFP at the Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Maine VFP at St. Patrick’s Day parade with Smedley’s in Boston. Photos by Peggy Akers.

VFP Maine 2013 Retreat Videos

VFP Maine 2013 Retreat Videos

We had our Veterans for Peace Chapter 001 retreat on Saturday at Viles Arboretum in Augusta, where we participated in a number of activities.

Highlights of VFP Maine & National Events (1985-2012)

Highlights of VFP Maine & National Events (1985-2012)

On July 8, 1985, the national Veterans For Peace organization was co-founded by VFP Maine member Doug Rawlings (USA/Vietnam).

Armistice Day Parade 2012 in Portland, Maine

Armistice Day Parade 2012 in Portland, Maine

In recent years the American Legion has tried to kick us out of the parade because they did not like our peace message. They would demand that we only carry one banner with our name on it and nothing else. So the last two years we decided to do our own thing and have the parade have to walk past us.

Hike and Bike 2012 – Maine VFP Fundraiser for MaineShare

Hike and Bike 2012 – Maine VFP Fundraiser for MaineShare

Hike and Bike – Maine VFP Fundraiser for MaineShare, was held on Saturday, October 20, 2012, on the Kennebec Rail Trail.

Common Ground Country Fair 2012

Common Ground Country Fair 2012

Maine Veterans for Peace at the 2012 Common Ground Fair. Photos from Peggy Akers and Reverend Gerald Oleson, O.C.F..

Brunswick Landing Air Show Protest 2012

Brunswick Landing Air Show Protest 2012

In honor of Tom Sturtevant, 75 activists from around Maine joined our peace march and vigil in Brunswick at the Air Force Thunderbirds airshow.

Memorial Day 2012 Photos

Memorial Day 2012 Photos

Greater Brunswick PeaceWorks and Veterans For Peace members in Topsham/Brunswick Memorial Day parade 2012.

VFP Maine 2012 Retreat Photos

VFP Maine 2012 Retreat Photos

A few photos from the retreat at Point Lookout from Peter Woodruff.

Eulogy for Tom Sturtevant by Doug Rawlings

Eulogy for Tom Sturtevant by Doug Rawlings

My name is Doug Rawlings, and I have been asked to say a few words today as a representative of Veterans For Peace. To begin our ...

Veterans Day Portland Maine 2011

Veterans Day Portland Maine 2011

Maine VFP Chapter 1 and many friends in Monument Square, Portland on Veterans Day. Photo Set One Photos by Peter Woodruff

2010 Peace Walk

2010 Peace Walk

March message focuses on the cost of war: Veterans For Peace in Bath on Monday, heading to Freeport.

2010 VFP Convention Photos

2010 VFP Convention Photos

The 2010 Veterans For Peace National Convention was hosted by Veterans For Peace Maine in Portland, Maine. Here are a few photos of our march through Portland at the end of the convention.

Should drones be part of Brunswick Naval Air Station reuse plan?

Should drones be part of Brunswick Naval Air Station reuse plan?

By Seth Koenig, Times Record Staff Published: Tuesday, September 1, 2009 BRUNSWICK — The recent presence of an unmanned ...

Protesting Aegis in Maine and South Korea

Protesting Aegis in Maine and South Korea

Here in Maine we held two vigils at Bath Iron Works where the Navy’s Aegis destroyer is built. The Aegis is outfitted with “missile defense” systems and is now being deployed just off the coast of China as part of a doubling of U.S. military presence in the Asian-Pacific region.

VFP Maine at Bath Iron Works

VFP Maine at Bath Iron Works

A group of 30 people gathered at Bath Iron Works Saturday morning, August 1, to protest the christening of the 59th Aegis destroyer (DDG 109), a weapon of mass destruction.

Memorial Day 2008 Brunswick, Maine Photos

Memorial Day 2008 Brunswick, Maine Photos

Veterans For Peace Maine Memorial Day Parade 2008 in Brunswick.

Hope Festival April 2008 Photos

Hope Festival April 2008 Photos

Maine Veterans for Peace Chapter 001 and 003 members at the Hope Festival at the University of Maine/Orono Field House.

Veterans Day Presentation 2006 by Doug Rawlings

Veterans Day Presentation 2006 by Doug Rawlings

"First of all let me thank the city of Portland on behalf of Veterans For Peace for their City Council’s commitment to making this year’s Veterans Day ceremonies inclusive of all veterans, regardless of their political positions on the war in Iraq."

Veterans Day Presentation 2006 by Jack Bussell

Veterans Day Presentation 2006 by Jack Bussell

"Maine Veterans For Peace remains committed to the withdrawal of our armed forces from Iraq now and to the full support of their needs when they return. We remain committed to the abolishment of all war. For it was in the reality of war that we found the meaning of peace."

1,500 Attend 2006 Peace Rally on Bangor Waterfront

1,500 Attend 2006 Peace Rally on Bangor Waterfront

Veterans For Peace Maine help lead 1,500 to protest war.

Common Ground Fair 2006

Common Ground Fair 2006

Photos from the Common Ground Fair, September 22-24, 2006. Photos by Gerry Oleson.

War Protesters Follow Bush to Maine

War Protesters Follow Bush to Maine

700 march near the site of a first-family gathering in Kennebunkport to protest Iraq War.

Marching in Memorial Day Parade 2006 in Brunswick

Marching in Memorial Day Parade 2006 in Brunswick

Valor at My Lai - On this Memorial Day, Maine Veterans for Peace commemorate the rare courage of a single individual acting from conscience, compassion and sense of humanity to save innocent civilian lives.

Veterans Day March 2005 Photos

Veterans Day March 2005 Photos

Photos from the Veterans Day March, 2005, Portland, Maine.

Maine Veterans or Peace demonstration at the Brunswick Naval Air Station

Maine Veterans or Peace demonstration at the Brunswick Naval Air Station

Remarks by Dexter Kamilewicz protesting Blue Angels Thanks for coming out today to support the troops. There are a lot of people in ...

Anti-war activists join in Bangor for a ‘sad task’

Anti-war activists join in Bangor for a ‘sad task’

Friday, June 24, 2005 - Bangor Daily News BANGOR - On a beautiful June day, anti-war activists from around the state converged on ...

Memorial Day 2005 Photos

Memorial Day 2005 Photos

Veterans For Peace Maine marching in the 2005 Memorial Day Parade in Brunswick.

Report on Anti-War Occupation of Congressman Tom Allen’s Office

Report on Anti-War Occupation of Congressman Tom Allen’s Office

Marks on Congressman's Wall Represent Dead in Iraq by Bruce Gagnon, reprinted from space4peace.blogspot.com Thirty-five people ...

Speeches at the March 2004 Rally in Augusta

Speeches at the March 2004 Rally in Augusta

Veterans For Peace Maine speakers at the March 20, 2004 anti-war rally in Augusta, Maine Richard and Rita Clements' Speech ...

Peace Action at Senator Snowe’s Bangor Office Results in 19 Arrests

Peace Action at Senator Snowe’s Bangor Office Results in 19 Arrests

Photos by V. Kelly Bellis. Bangor, Maine – A crowd of approximately one hundred peace makers gathered outside of U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe’s Bangor office.