WILPF US joins Veterans For Peace in calling for an end to all hostilities at home and around the globe
This year is the 100th Anniversary of Armistice Day and Veterans For Peace is taking the lead to #ReclaimArmisticeDay on Sunday, November 11th -- to be observed as "a day dedicated to the cause of world peace," as it was celebrated at the end of World War I when the world came together to recognize the need for lasting peace. After four years of war from July 28, 1914 and to armistice between the Allies and Germany at eleven o'clock in the morning on the eleventh month of 1918.
Called the "war to end all wars," WILPF's founding was inspired by the vision of Jane Addams and the many women, and men, who met in 1915 in The Hague, and believed that peaceful resolution of conflict was the only path.
Many countries honor Armistice Day, but in the United States it was renamed Veterans Day in 1954, while Memorial Day honors those who have died in military service.
To #ReclaimArmisticeDay means we reclaim the commitment toward peaceful settlement of conflict and an end to cycles of horrific loss of life and destruction of communities and countries that we witness today.
Here's how WILPF Members and Branches can take action! Join with your community's local peace and veterans groups in planning or attending a local commemorative event.
- You can find an event near you here.
- If you want to reach out ot and work with a Veterans For Peace Chapter, here's the chapter listings and if your branch or members are planning an event for November 11th, add to the Veterans for Peace Event Calendar here.
- Here is a #ReclaimArmistice Flyer you can download and print
- Reach out to you mayor, city council members, or county supervisors to engage them in honoring Armistice Day. If your Mayor has not signed on to "Mayors for Peace," reach out to your mayor now as Armistice Day is approaching. You can find materials here and search if your city is a "member city" on the "Member City" map here.
- Here are materials to reach out to your local communities of faith.
Ask your local congregation to ring the church bells
on the 11th minute of the 11th hour on November 11th
Here is information on events in Washington, DC. November 9 - 11.
- Saturday, November 10 - Peace Congress. Here's information and the program. Be sure to register. The Congress is free, but please donate if you are able. A suggested donation is $10 to cover breakfast and lunch.
- After the Congress, there will be live music in McPherson Square, the site of OccupyDC. Veterans will hold that space all weekend as they demonstrate at the nearby Veteran's Administration for more much needed health and other services.
- Sunday, November 11, Armistice Day, join the veteran and military family-led march to #Reclaim Armistice Day on its 100th Anniversary. Veterans and families will assemble at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at 9:00 am on Sunday to march to other memorials and plan to arrive at the WWI memorial by 11:00 am. All are invited to this march. It is asked that all participants respect the solemn tone of the march as it visits many of the war and commemorative memorials in the Mall area.
- Following this march, there is the Philadelphia Protest Against President Bush and Vice President Biden when the Heart2Heart Tour will go to the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Biden will present this year's #LibertyMedal award to George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush for their commitment to veterans. The ceremony starts at 5:00 pm. Tour leader Stacy Bannerman received a Freedom Medal from George W. Bush and she intends to give it back to him. The tour starts in LA on Nov. 2 and you can follow it here.
I will be at the Peace Congress and look forward to meeting up with WILPF members there. In Peace, Nancy Price
