Feel Good Friday - Veterans for Peace

This Memorial Day weekend, Veterans for Peace reminds us that some of the most powerful voices for peace are those who have experienced war firsthand.

Founded in 1985 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, the mission of Veterans for Peace (VFP) is to build "a culture of peace by using our experiences and lifting our voices." The organization informs the public of the true causes and enormous costs of war, and works with an obligation to heal war's wounds. Their network spans more than 140 chapters worldwide, including international chapters in Vietnam, Japan, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, and they hold a permanent Non-Governmental Organization seat at the United Nations.

VFP's work is organized around three core pillars: educating the public about the full cost of war, resisting militarism and advocating for diplomacy over armed conflict, and healing the wounds of war to build a
more just and peaceful society. Their veteran and associate members represent 70 years of military service, spanning World War II through the present day.

Their national projects bring these pillars to life in tangible ways. The Golden Rule Peace Boat Project restored the original peace boat that set sail in 1958 to stop nuclear testing in the atmosphere, and the vessel is voyaging once more as a living symbol of the belief that a nuclear-free world is possible. The Deported Veterans Advocacy Project supports U.S. military veterans who served this country and were later deported, providing housing referrals, medical support, document assistance, and help navigating VA benefits from an office in Tijuana, just steps from the U.S. border. The Save Our VA Campaign fights to preserve comprehensive, high-quality healthcare for the nine million Americans who rely on VA health facilities. And the Vietnam Agent Orange Relief and Responsibility Campaign advocates for justice for victims of Agent Orange on both sides of that conflict.

If you’d like to celebrate Memorial Day by advocating for peace, consider supporting Veterans for Peace. You can become a member, make a donation, or amplify their message on social media. Follow VFP on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn and share their stories of service, sacrifice, and the enduring pursuit of peace.

Happy Memorial Day weekend!