Unity-Struggle-Victory: Veterans Organizing in the 21st Century

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ED NOTE: For all of those currently caught in the debate that is taking place with-in progressive Veterans' organizations; the common denominator amongst us is that we are all Veterans, all other considerations set aside. As such, we have quality of life issues that effect each and everyone of us, as well as that of our families, and increasingly that of our neighbors. We also have a responsibility to ensure that today's returning warriors are properly cared for. This, regardless of personal political ideology. There must be unity of purpose amongst us, in order to bring national focus on those issues, and create momentum for change or reform. Pragmatic solutions will not be forthcoming, not without our setting aside our political and ideological differences, and agreeing to work together on achievable common focus issues. By pooling our talents and our resources at the grass-roots, we can bring about change, at the national level.
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The model for this as a workable strategy is exemplified in this open letter to the Veterans community, from Steve Crandall, VVAW CA Central Coast Chapter President. It is based on one that we discussed in Steve and Carolyns' living room, during one of our stops on the VVAW West Coast Tour, earlier this year; they have already put the plan into action, as he tells us, in his letter. Unity of purpose, and clearly defined achievable goals...it works! WH ( Photo: VVAW West Coast Tour, Steve & Carolyn's)

Steve's letter, a lesson for all of us; action, speaks louder than words...

After reading the back and forth emails regarding IVAW and VVAW, I thought about our own chapter and what role we play in the VVAW org and what keeps us together.
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Our chapter is made up of thirteen or so members. Seven are actively involved by attending all monthly meetings, manning the three Street Fair booths per year and serving at the Stand Down when it was operating. We can’t count on the other members to come through all the time so since the seven are the boots on the ground we make all the decisions.
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Of the seven active members four of us are veterans (3 Vietnam War and 1 Vietnam era) the other three are our spouses. We tried to bring on “civilians” and they actually joined but it didn’t work out. As much as they wanted to help veterans and end the war in Iraq they couldn’t relate to what being in war or even being in the military was like. Their intentions were good but if it’s not a fit it doesn’t work.

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We tried to recruit other Vietnam veterans that were against the war in Iraq but there was one excuse or another for why they couldn’t make the meetings or events. For this reason we have decided not to create a group based on numbers that look good on paper, but rather a group that can be cohesive and therefore affective in our efforts. (Photo: VVAW, last Memorial Day, Santa Barbara)

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Initially I thought our group could do it all but soon realized we were limited based on our available time, energy and the simple fact that we are a group made up of volunteers.
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Our chapter has one common thread that will out weigh all others and that is, our desire to help veterans. Helping veterans also means educating the public about the detrimental affects of war, veteran’s health issues and governmental policies.
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We have also formed close alliances with The Soldiers Project and The Ashcraft Foundation. We (along with Jan Ruhman of SD VVAW) will be meeting with MFSO and IVAW Los Angeles in June to discuss broadening our alliances. We are also working together with Veteran’s United for Truth and Duty’s Calling to get our LA VA veteran’s land back from the Brentwood Conservancy Group. This event will be our first effort to create a Veteran’s Coalition that includes all veteran’s groups.(Photo: VVAW West Coast Tour stop: LA V.A. Veterans's Memorial Park, site of the VA Land Grab)

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Today, Sunday, we (all seven) are sifting through over 600 books, 100 VHS movies and 300 CDs we have collected for the new local state veteran’s home opening up in late summer. We will be putting labels inside the front cover of the books “Donated by the CA Central Coast Chapter of Vietnam Veterans Against the War”. Although it was our idea for the labels we were also encouraged by the VA to label the books (blows my mind).
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I know we (VVAW members) disagree about the war in Afghanistan . Even within our own chapter there isn’t a consensus. But what brought us back together was the war in Iraq and what holds us together is our willingness to help veterans. That is our common thread.
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The IVAW like all organizations will have their disagreements / fall-outs and will need to find the common thread that will hold them together. If they wish counseling we are there to help but we can’t force it on them. Unity will come with finding that commonality in which they can all agree. It’s up to them.
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Steve Crandall, President
CA Central Coast Chapter VVAW
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www.VetSpeak.org