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Vietnam Veterans Against the War While the following article has very little to do with chemcial or biologolical use in Vietnam, I have decided include it since it does deal with a grey are of the war. That is it deals with thoes soldiers who may have fought, but were against the Vietnam Confilct. The source is a bi-weekly news letter called Forgotten History.(34) "Forgotten History - Tuesday, May 28, 2002 The VVAW
The VVAW was made up of mostly combat veterans. They numbered over 50,000 members at one time. Their first national action took place in Detroit, Michigan where the VVAW conducted war crimes hearings. Veterans came up and testified to the crimes they had committed or had witnessed. Their contention was that the Mi Lai Massacre was standard operating procedure. This was, in essence, the Vietnam War. The national press, being what they are, dismissed them but they couldn't ignore their next action "Dewey Canyon III." While the press was slow to report the activities of anti- war veterans the Nixon administration clearly understood their potential power. The up-coming demonstrations in Washington by the VVAW could be disastrous for the administration. The VVAW was determined that their voice be heard. They marched down Pennsylvania Avenue to cheers of the people of Washington. Nixon had wanted to attack them but some in his administration objected saying "this would be a mistake" and that the last thing Nixon needed was for Vietnam Veterans to be attacked by the Washington police. So the Veterans came to the steps of the Supreme Court to stand in line, say something at the podium if they wished, and then throw their medals away. The same medals that they had recently gained for their valor during the Vietnam War. One by one they spoke: " I pray that time will forgive me and my brothers for what we did." Paul F. Wither went to the stand and spoke clearly, " Spec 4, army, retired. I'm taking in nine Purple Hearts, Distinguished Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star and a lot of other shit. This is for my brothers," Withers threw the medal away and limped off. One newsman grabbed one of the medals but was quickly told by a veteran. "Listen, you newsmen we are not giving you the medals. We're turning them over to the country." One by one they went to speak. By the end of the day they had caught the attention of a nation. Soon after this action their membership applications skyrocketed. The veterans brought with them a moral authority that could not be matched by the administration. Nixon sent the FBI, who should get a lifetime achievement award for doing damage to the country, after the VVAW but their ranks swelled. Finally historians did what Nixon could not do, they chose to write them out of history. But their story is not forgotten and there are sev- eral books and films out now which tell their story. Those of us who saw them on that spring day will never forget. I watched them throw their medals away while I was in college. One friend of mine remarked, " this is the coolest thing I thing I have ever seen." It was maybe the most dramatic anti- war demonstration that ever occurred. The VVAW are still active. You can look them up on their website. They continue to work for peace and veteran rights even today. In the end Nixon turned out to be a bum but the VVAW were heroes. They were men and he was shallow, paranoid creep. Remember the VVAW on Memorial Day and give thanks for them. Sources: The New Winter Soldiers, Richard Moser"
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