Veterans for Peace
Chapter 114
Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Veterans Working Together for Peace & Justice
Through Non-violence. Wage Peace!

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Replacing a gas guzzling SUV with a Prius will save the environment 560 gallons of fuel per year.  An F15 fighter burns that much fuel in two minutes of takeoff.  Hybrid cars aren't enough, this Earth Day we have to rethink a foreign policy based on endless war.

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Past events we have participated in or sponsored:

(These are copies of text used here and elsewhere to promote the activity.  Even though you may see things written in the present/future tense, these events are now past us.)

The "Midwest's biggest, best, and boldest Anti-War Concert" will be Saturday March 20, 2010 from 7pm till 11pm at the "New" Paradigm in Sheboygan WI. 

Musicians, poets, and a humorist will gather to mark our eight years of the Oil War in Iraq and the apparent permanent Occupation of Afghanistan.  Join us in Sheboygan to experience the longest running such concert in the Midwest, as we express our outrage to those in power who created and now perpetrate these non-wars.

Copyright 2009, VFP Sheboygan

Saturday, March 20, 2010, musicians, poets, dancers, and peace activists will gather to raise their voices in resistance of the war and occupation, and to appeal for peace and justice in a war-torn world.  
 <Click here for a few photos of the 2008 concert>

Our 6th Annual Anti-War Event:  KNOW PEACE, NO WAR CONCERT will feature many great talents with national and regional recognition from all around the Midwest.  Singer/songwriters, poets, and dancers will give their stories and insights about many aspects of war and militarism, as well as their feelings of what this thing called peace means to them.  This will be a fun and energizing all-ages event and we hope you can join us!  This year we will be at the new Paradigm, 1202 North 8th Street (note new address!), in Sheboygan  WI, venue phone 920.457.5277. 
<Click here for map and directions to Paradigm>

As we start our 8th year of the Iraq War and Occupation, the event starts with doors opening at 6:30pm, with  music promptly at 7pm, going till 11pm.  Purchase on-line or from members; advance $6; day of concert and at the door till they're gone, $8.  Tickets include a $1 off house beverage coupon.  Additional donations encouraged and appreciated.  No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

All ages welcome!  We expect again to sell out so get your tickets early! 
Questions?  Venue, ticket, or web questions please call Chris at 920.693.3141.

Concert sponsored by your own Veterans for Peace Chapter 114.  
 <Click here for your very own downloadable and printable 2010 event poster>.
<Click here for 2010 program download>.

As of March 10th these talents are planning to join us (check back for updated info!):

     
Gerry Bertsch Sheboygan Poet
Don Burhop Sheboygan Musician & Sound Engineer
Anthony Deutsch Port Washington Musician
Kris Klemme Plymouth Musician
Mike Felten Chicago, IL Musician
John Heckinlively
as Billy Bob Far Right
Racine, WI Humorist
Karen Howland Sheboygan Musician
JoAnn Riedl Milwaukee Musician
Sequoia and the Virgins Sheboygan Musician
Rick Dodgson Sheboygan Poetry reading
     

Musicians, poets, artists and other extreme performers as well as the media can contact Tom Contrestan for more details: 920.208.9427

Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009   "Bring the Guard Home" Forum, Public Invited!
6:00 pm potluck, 7:00 pm presentation

Ben Manski, a lawyer in Madison, WI, will discuss the effort to return Wisconsin Guard troops to Wisconsin from foreign deployment.   Mr. Manski is national coordinator of "Bring the Guard Home" and is the principal contributor to Wisconsin Assembly Bill 203 that requires the Governor to determine the legality of activation of Wisconsin Guard troops before deployment outside the US.

The Forum will develop a comprehensive understanding of both the national movement to "Bring the Guard Home" and the pending Wisconsin Assembly Bill 203.

Potluck supper will be followed by a presentation from Mr. Manski and an open discussion, questions, and answers.  If you cannot join us for the meal, feel free to attend the forum.  Location: First Congregational UCC Church in Sheboygan, WI at 310 Bluff Avenue (across from Vollrath Park)

Sponsors: Lakeshore Pax Christi, Between the Lakes Green Party, and Veterans for Peace Sheboygan.

Friday, October 16, 2009  VFP Sheboygan Chapter Dinner.  First Congregational Church UCC in Sheboygan WI.  Social hour starts 6 or 6:30, dinner served 6:30 or 7, to be determined soon!  All members and their guests encouraged and invited.  Serving spaghetti with Grandma Contrestan's recipe, salad, sheet cake, ice cream, coffee, tea, milk, lemonade if hot outside!  Jason Moon  invited to talk about Soldiers Heart Retreat Center in Racine WI.  Donations for the meal, separate for donations for Soldiers Heart. 

Copyright 2009, VFP Sheboygan

Saturday, March 21, 2009, musicians, poets, dancers, and peace activists will gather to raise their voices in resistance of the war and occupation, and to appeal for peace and justice in a war-torn world.  
 <Click here for a few photos of the 2008 concert>

Our 5th Annual Anti-War Event:  KNOW PEACE, NO WAR CONCERT will feature several nationally known performers including folk singer and veteran Peter Tracy coming from California, along with many other great talents with national and regional recognition from all around the Midwest.  Singer/songwriters, poets, and dancers will give their stories and insights about many aspects of war and militarism, as well as their feelings of what this thing called peace means to them.  This will be a fun and energizing event and we hope you can join us!  This year we will be at EBCO Artworks, 1201 Erie Avenue, in Sheboygan  WI. 
<Click here for map and directions>

As we start our 7th year of the Iraq War and Occupation, this event starts with doors opening at 6:30pm, with  music promptly at 7pm, going till 11pm.  Advance purchase on-line or from members $6; day of concert and at the door till they're gone, $8.  All ages welcome!  We expect again to sell out so get your tickets early! 
Questions?  Call Chris at 920.693.3141.

Concert sponsored by your own Veterans for Peace Chapter 114.  
 <Click here for your own downloadable and printable event poster>.

As of March 15th these talents are planning to join us (check back for updated info!):

Peter Tracy Santa Rosa, CA Musician
Gerry Bertsch Sheboygan Poet
Don Burhop Sheboygan Musician & Sound Engineer
Anthony Deutsch Port Washington Musician
Eric Cox and Icarus Drifting Sheboygan Musician
Mike Felten Chicago, IL Musician
John Heckinlively
as Billy Bob Far Right
Racine, WI Humorist
Karen Howland Sheboygan Musician
Howard Lewis Cedarburg, WI Musician
Alan 'Doc' Mock Sheboygan Musician
Colonel Raider ?? ??
JoAnn Riedl Milwaukee Musician
Sapphire Spirit Dancers Sheboygan Dance Troupe
Sequoia Sheboygan Musician
Lisa Vihos Sheboygan Poet
Pat Zyduck Fond du Lac, WI Musician

November 1, 2008.  Annual Chapter Dinner.  Our theme this year is Solidarity with the Families of Iraq.  6pm Social Hour, 6:30 Iraqi Family Type Dinner.  Members and their guests and special friends are invited to join in on a chance to spend time together, and to consider the hundreds of thousands of families the war has affected in Iraq and the Middle East.  Several of us will be learning together in the kitchen that afternoon with our friend and food aficionado Ali Burhani who will be teaching us several Arab style dishes that he grew up with.  Later hear about family life, religion, children, food, labor unions, table etiquette, school, and anything in between that interests you!  Short video and presentation followed by discussion.  Donations gladly accepted.

Saturday August 16, 2008.  EarthFest 2008 at Fountain Park in Sheboygan.  10am till 10pm, a day filled with music, educational events, local crafts and foods.  Celebrating the Earth and encouraging our care of it, we of VFP Sheboygan will have an educational table there from 10am till 4pm+, hope you can join us!  We'll be there with lots of educational materials, our new "resource packs", showing and selling the latest video from Snowshoe Films on the recent Winter Soldier hearings, and showing, reading, and signing of "  the Land, War and Peace" by Gerry Bertsch.

Wednesday August  6, 2008  Lantern Float.  Join us in the evening at the Sheboygan River as we recognize the destruction and suffering caused at Hiroshima and Nagasaki Japan.  During Japan's Hiroshima Lantern Floating Memorial, thousands of cube-shaped paper lights float along the Motoyasu River to bring peace to the souls of the victims who died in the 1945 atomic bombing. The annual ritual in Japan promotes world peace.

We extend the event to our own traditional lantern float at the Sheboygan River Rotary Park (east end of the boardwalk near Pennsylvania and Fifth).  It is a chance for group and solo meditation with our member and poet Gerry Bertsch, and Sheboygan's Mayor Juan Perez.  Join us at 7pm for Lantern making workshop, 7:15 Live music by Karen Howland.  7:30 Welcome and introductions by VFP Chapter President Ed Filemyr, meditation and contemplation.  7:45pm Poet and VFP member Gerry Bertsch offers selected readings of his peace poetry and others read from "Hiroshima" book.  8:15pm Moment of silence and launching of the lanterns.  You are welcome to stay as long as you wish.  Signed copies of Bertsch's just published booklet "In This Land, Poetic Reflections War and Peace" will be available for sale and meet the poet till 8:30pm.

Saturday, March 22nd, 2008, musicians, poets, dancers, and peace activists gathered at the Paradigm Coffee House, 1022 Michigan Avenue in Sheboygan, to raise their voices in resistance of the war and occupation, and to appeal for peace and justice in a war-torn world.   <Click here for a few photos>

The ONE WORLD ... ONE PEOPLE CONCERT will feature nationally known folk singer Peter Tracy, and nine very talented "local" musicians as well as some poetry readings including Lisa Vihos.  As we start our 6th year of the Iraq War and Occupation, this 4th Annual event starts at 7PM, going till 11PM.  Tickets $5; advance purchase includes $1 beverage coupon.  All ages welcome!  Concert sponsored by Veterans for Peace Chapter 114.  

These talents joined us:
 
Peter Tracy Santa Rosa, CA Musician
Michael Lee Ammons Sheboygan Musician
Jerry Bertch Sheboygan Poet
Jeanie Carlin Lena, WI Musician
Eric Cox and Icarus Drifting Sheboygan Musician
Tim Dekker Sheboygan Musician
Mike Felten Chicago, IL Musician
John Heckinlively Racine, WI Humorist
Karen Howland Sheboygan Musician
Alan "the Doc" Mock Sheboygan Musician
Sapphire Spirit Dancers Sheboygan Dance Troupe
Sequoia Sheboygan Musician
Lisa Vihos Sheboygan Poet
Pat Zyduck Fond du Lac, WI Musician

March 2008... with 3996 GI's killed (officially) in Iraq as of March 22, we will car pool to Milwaukee to participate in a casket carry on the day after the 4000th death is reported in the print media.  On the Friday after that we will meet at Fountain Park in Sheboygan WI from 4:00pm till 5:30 for a similar event.  Please join us on this sad but solidifying event.  Emails will be sent to members and active friends, or call Chris at 920-693-3141 for Milwaukee car pool or Sheboygan plan questions.

March 20th, 2008.  The names of Americans killed in Iraq will be solemnly read in Sheboygan's Fountain Park from 1 to 4PM by members and friends of Veterans for Peace Chapter 114.  We invite people in the community to join us as we mourn the dead and question the need for this war.  <Click here for Sheboygan Press article>

March 13-16, 2008.  Winter Soldier Iraq and Afghanistan Eyewitness Accounts of the Occupations, in Washington D.C., sponsored by our friends at Iraq Veterans Against War.  Our own Josh Harvey will be in attendance as our Video Field Reporter, collecting first hand video and audio information for our members and friends.  Learn more at http://ivaw.org/wintersoldier, see the event with live streaming video.  Check out the schedule.  Video and audio archives of Winter Soldier will be available after the event.

November 9, 2007.  Veterans Day Assembly.   High School Assembly to be held at Sheboygan’s North High School, gathering at 9am on Friday at the west door of the new gym.  Members are asked to dress conservatively for this occasion (dress shirt and slacks, sport coat and tie OK for the guys, skirt or business suit for ladies, VFP caps OK too).  Ed will represent our chapter with a wreath.

November 18th, 2007  SOA-Watch   Ft. Benning GA.   Motor coaches will leave Milwaukee at 7PM Thursday evening Nov 15th from Cross Church, returning Monday November 19th.  Contact Peace Action Wisconsin for reservations at 414-933-6157 by Nov. 6th to secure a seat on the bus and your motel accommodations, combined cost  will be $195.    Sheboygan County agitators may receive a $50 scholarship from our VFP chapter, call Tom at 920-208-9427 for more information.

October 27th 2007 Chicago Antiwar Mobilization…. We had heard about this over the summer, a large regional gathering of anti-war activists meeting in Chi-town with over 200 groups involved.  A large handful of locals and not so locals booked passage filling a coach originating from Green Bay, coordinated by VFP members Ron Kossik and Chris Kuehnel in cooperation with Lakeshore Peace Makers.  This rally was set to coincide with anti-war protests in a dozen major cities across the U.S. including New York, L,A., Boston and Seattle.  Our friend Cindy Sheehan spoke to a crowd of 35,000 in San Francisco.  Six members of our chapter joined a crowd of some 30,000 fairly angry, yet non-violent protestors who listened to speakers at Union Park in the morning, then marched several miles up Jackson Blvd. into the Loop to hear more speakers at Federal Plaza.  In all, over 100,000 people across the country spoke loudly to the Bush Neo-Con Regime…”SUPPORT THE TROOPS…BRING THEM HOME NOW.”  Click here to view photo gallery.

October 16th, 2007  3rd Annual Chapter Dinner.  This year we picked a theme of Latin American Solidarity and invited our friend Sister Caryl Hartjes to speak about the School of the Americas, and her experiences as a “prisoner of conscience” after crossing the line at Ft. Benning several years ago.  Our chapter was proud to present the Sisters of St. Agnes with a check for over $1,200 collected in the Sheboygan area to assist in the rebuilding of their schools in Nicaragua that were damaged by hurricane Felix in September.  In keeping with the theme, we dined on tacos, enchiladas, salad, beans and rice.

THE SHADOW PROJECT August 6th, ’07.  Instead of our usual Peace Lantern float our friend David Mitchell told us about an idea that is very popular on the West Coast.  On the night of the 5th, three teams assembled at Fountain Park, VFP members Tom, Chris, Mary and David led them to various areas of Sheboygan to trace templates of human body “shadows” in chalk.  Just as the flash of those first weapons of mass destruction left only ghostly shadows behind, our shadows asked passersby to remember those who were killed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki 62 years ago.  We approached the mayor a month earlier in order to get his endorsement, but failed, perhaps next year.

Early August ’07  SAGBRAW Fundraiser, .  Not even a horrendous five alarm fire in Cleveland could put a damper on our 2nd annual bicycle tour rest stop money maker.  Ed, Craig, Mary, Tom and Chris fed the masses of bikers fruit, sandwiches, granola, iced tea and lemonade.  Money from this will help us fund projects like SOA-Watch scholarships for local protestors later this year.

July 2007 Earthfest.  Not only did we staff our information table at Sheboygan’s number one alternative tribal gathering, but this year member Mary Diamond managed to bring the “Bush Chain Gang” to town.  Peace activists from VFP and Peace Action donned the huge puppetista cartoon heads of Bush, Chenney, Rice and Wolfawitz, as they were led around in prison uniforms and chains.  The lead cop (in Keystone helmet) announced over a bullhorn…. “Keep back folks, these are very dangerous criminals, found guilty of murder, grand theft, treason, and lying to Congress.  Keep your children back lady, that one is responsible for the deaths of over 3,000 American kids and God knows how many Iraqis.”  The chain gang could be seen at our “Free Speech Corner” at 9th and Erie, and parading through Fountain Park during Earthfest.  We last saw them at the Oct. 27th Chicago Rally in a crowd of over 20,000 anti-war demonstrators.

Memorial Day 2007   Our members joined VFW and American Legion vets at Wildwood Cemetery two weeks prior to the holiday to mark military graves with flags.  Eight of us marched behind the VFP colors in the parade, followed by a new Chrysler roadster for those who couldn’t walk the ten or twelve blocks.  Thanks to Sheboygan Chrysler-Plymouth and our driver Fred Depies.

March 24th 2007 Saturday afternoon event at the Fountain Park in Sheboygan WI, mark your calendar, details to be announced.  Evening AntiWar Concert at the Paradigm Coffeehouse, 7pm.  Regional songwriters, storytellers, musicians, singers, and even a band!!

January 27-29, 2007. March on Washington.  We will join Peace Action Milwaukee and thousands of others from across the country to express our support for those members of Congress who are prepared to take immediate action against the war; to pressure those who are hesitant to act; and to speak out against those who remain tied to a failed policy.  Going by plane, bus, and car.  Contact us if interested

November 17 thru 19, 2006 SOA Watch Demonstration at Fort Benning, GA, charter coach buses from Milwaukee and 2 nights hotel costs $185.  First four requests receive $50 subsidy from the chapter.  Car pool from Sheboygan.  Please let Ed or Tom know if you or someone you know is interested.  This year will have extra demonstrations against the recently admitted FBI domestic spying on the peaceful organizing group as a ‘counter terrorism’ activity, whilst overlooking the atrocities committed by the US tax funded graduates.

November 10th 2006 Friday 10:30am Veterans Day Assembly at South High School.  All members are encouraged to attend.

November 4th  2006 Saturday arrive Milwaukee 10am via member’s car pool and join in solidarity with Milwaukee Veterans for Peace at their version of Arlington Cemetery along the route of the Veterans Day Parade.  The organizers of the main parade are apparently again not allowing VFP members to join the parade (“too political” the organizers said).  Let’s show the people of Milwaukee the perspectives we have on war and the Iraq War in particular while supporting our friends at Milwaukee Vets for Peace!!  Click here to view the photo gallery.

October 20th 2006, Friday  Social hour 6pm, dinner 7pm.  2nd Annual VFP Chapter Dinner will feature the Contrestan family meatball and sauce recipes!  Featuring George Martin from Milwaukee Veterans for Peace and Peace Action Wisconsin.  Live entertainment including a few sing-a-longs, limber up those voices!  Donations accepted!  Bring your family and friends!  Please RSVP Ed or Tom by Oct 14th.

October 12th, 2006 Thursday 7pm  Movies with a Message.  Join us for “Salvadore” at Franklin Haus on the big screen followed by discussion of central American revolution and the SOA connections.  This 1986 film written and directed by Oliver Stone based on a true story about a journalist down on his luck in the US drives to El Salvador to chronicle the events of the 1980 military dictatorship. Including the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero. He forms an uneasy alliance with both guerillas in the countryside who want him to get pictures out to the US press, and the right-wing military, who want him to bring them photographs of the rebels.  Meanwhile he has to find a way of protecting his Salvadorean girlfriend and getting her out of the country. View trailer.

September 24 Sunday 2006 Milwaukee Non-Violent Civil Disobedience Training via Peace Action Wisconsin, followed by Sept 25 Monday Antiwar Direct Action, Non-Violent, Sept 24 Training is required for this event, Call 414-964-5158.  Car pool with Chris Kuehnel?

September 23rd  Saturday 2006 Milwaukee at high noon, Pere Marquette Park.  Anti war demonstration and Rally, followed by Peace Festival with booths on issues and organizations working for Peace and Justice, sponsored by Peace Action Milwaukee/Wisconsin.  Car pool departing Sheboygan Park and Ride (Home Depot, Hwy 28) at 10am please contact Josh Harvey.

Memorial Day 2006Click here for mini photo gallery.

April 29th 2006, massive antiwar rally in New York City, attended by many from Sheboygan and Wisconsin!

PEACE DEMONSTRATION ON SATURDAY MARCH 18, 2006. 
[Ed: Check out link to Sheboygan Press coverage of this event]
Tom Contrestan writes that there will be a peace demonstration at Fountain Park, on Sheboygan’s 8th Street, Saturday March 18th, from 4 to 6:00PM.  It will mark the beginning of our fourth year of war in Iraq.  Names of American dead will be read aloud as hand-lettered wooden tags with their names are attached to our ‘Wall of Remembrance’.  The 200,000 Iraqi men, women and children killed will also be remembered and mourned.  See our event photo album.

There will be an ANTI-WAR Benefit Concert afterward at the Frankin Haus Ballroom from 7:30 to 10:30pm.  Franklin is off County ‘A’, about one mile south of Lakeland College.  Informational table material available.  The concert will feature some great regional and local musicians, as well as tea, coffee, and baked goods!  All ages event, non-smoking, adult beverages in the adjacent historic tavern.  $5.00 donation at door goes toward bringing speakers to our area.  See our event photo album.

Both events sponsored by Sheboygan Area Peace Seekers, Vets for Peace Sheboygan, and the Between the Lakes Green Party.

Thursday January 26th 2006 Many of us attended the showing of "The End of Suburbia: Oil Depletion and the Collapse of the American Dream"

"Oil is the single most important resource upon which our global economy depends. What happens when we reach the peak of global oil production, and supplies go into permanent decline? What if we do not have the time for a smooth transition to another energy economy? What are the implications for ourselves, our children, and our civilization? How do we confront such a challenge?  This 78-minute documentary  introduces viewers to this vital topic, and shows how industrial civilization is about to undergo enormous, unprecedented change. The film encourages us to work together to create a meaningful future in the face of great difficulty."
 
In the light of the oil connection to war today and probably throughout our future, I thought you would be interested in the topic.  Ford’s recent layoffs have added even more public attention to this upcoming set of issues.
 
The Between the Lakes Green Party will be showing the film/DVD this Thursday January 26th 2006 at 7pm, at the Franklin Haus, an historic community gathering place in Franklin, not far from Lakeland College in Sheboygan County.  Reservations not required but helpful so we can be sure to setup in a way to have enough room for all.  Discussion to follow, we hope you can attend! 
Click here for a downloadable and printable poster.    Click here to check out website for "End of Suburbia".

Saturday December 10th 2005 was International Human Rights Day.  In recognition of that, we will join Sheboygan Area Peace Seekers in a theatrical demonstration against the United States' use of torture and other human rights violations.  Noon till 1pm at the corner of Taylor and Erie in Sheboygan WI.  That is the high visibility corner at the Mall with Taco Bell, WalMart plaza, Kohl's and the Sheboygan County Museum.  We will be graphically demonstrating against US endorsed torture around the globe, and against indefinite incarceration.  Signage will draw attention to other human rights abuses such as decreases in funding for health care and education, and our current challenges with hunger and housing.  We hope you can join us, please wear dark colors or black. 

Wednesday December 7 2005 "Christian Perspectives on War- 0 A.D. to Today"  A presentation by author Michael Slattery on his upcoming book "War from a Christian Perspective".  A discussion of the ethics and appropriateness of the "Just War Theory" in contemporary society.  Did the early Christian Church allow participation in War?  Hear and discuss with the author 7pm Rocca Room at the Mead Public Library, Sheboygan, WI.  Sponsored by Veterans for Peace Sheboygan, and the Between the Lakes Green PartyClick here for a downloadable poster.

SOA Watch  November 19 2005, Ft. Benning in Columbus Georgia.  Home of the infamous School of the Americas (now titled Western Hemisphere School of Strategic Studies).  Join us in protest of the US training facility for assassination and torture, the 12th year.   See our Letters to the Editor Page.

Friday November 11 2005 VFP we participated in the Veterans Day ceremonies and recognition in Sheboygan at North High School, 9:50am till 10:40am.  All VFP members invited, meet at 9:30am in the front of the building and we'll sit in a group.

October 15 2005 First Anniversary Dinner 7pm to 9pm.  This will be the Dedication of our Chapter Name after veteran Soxy Baughman 1945-1971.  All members and their guests are invited.  Spaghetti dinner to be held at First Congregational United Church of Christ, Sheboygan, WI.  Freewill donations.

September 24-26  2005 3 Massive Days of Action at D.C. Mobilization in Washington, DC.  Help end the war on Iraq!  Hold President Bush accountable for the Deaths, the Lies, the Destruction, and the toll on our communities!  Rally, March, Concert, AntiWar Festival featuring 14 theme tents on Iraq, Real Support for the Troops, Counter-Recruitment, Global Justice, the Wars at Home, Nuclear Disarmament, Direct Action, etc..

Roundtrip buses departing from Milwaukee Friday Sept 23 about 4pm, returning Sunday Sept 25 afternoon or Tuesday Sept 27 if you prefer.  Car pool with us from Sheboygan to Milwaukee-920-693-3141.  Short on funds but want to go?  We have funding available to assist if you can't otherwise afford the trip. 

Saturday: March on Washington to End the War, Rally, Antiwar Festival w/ Information Tents
Sunday: Interfaith Service, Grassroots Training
Monday: Lobby Day, Nonviolent Direct Action and Civil Disobedience

Want national event plans and hourly schedules?  Get details at www.unitedforpeace.org.

A great turnout of Sheboygan and Wisconsin folks were in attendance, and we accumulated lots of excellent photos available in our photo album section.  Watch for our locally produced video on activities to be available soon.

Saturday August 6th 2005 we mark the 60th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing by participating in a floating candle display on the Sheboygan River at the foot of the Sheboygan Rotary Riverfront Park.  View the artwork and meet the artists of all ages at 7:30pm, event and Memorial comments 8pm till 9pm.  Bring the family!

Sunday July 24th 2005 Brat-fry Fundraiser.  First Congregational UCC, 10am till 4pm, stop in and get your sandwiches!  Beefalo burgers, bratwurst, hot chicken sandwiches, soft drinks and fresh squeezed lemonade!  Dine in with a vet or take-out.  Walk-up is great, advance tickets preferred and available from members.

May 29, 2005.  Carrying a flag draped casket, and carrying a Veterans for Peace Sheboygan banner, 10 of us marched in our first Sheboygan Memorial Day Parade.  It was a somber presentation that was well received by the community.  We lead with a letter to the Editor at the Sheboygan Press on the Saturday of Memorial weekend, and got a great follow-up article and picture on the front page of the Sheboygan Press.  Eric LaRose did a great job in capturing the essence of the event.  Thank you Member Harvey Weber for a great interview primarily about his experiences in and since the Korean War.  See original article while it lasts at the Press site or in our article details.

March 16, 2005.  UW Sheboygan, Peace and Justice Event, featuring Laramie Crocker from Berkley CA performing his very timely multimedia antiwar songs.  7pm to 10pm, suggested donation $5 or non-perishable food for Food Pantry.  Joined by Holly Haebig and Dena Aronson of DevaNation.  Jason Moon of Oshkosh will share some of his experiences while serving in Iraq with the Army National Guard.  Student poetry, essays, and short plays are being requested about war, peace, justice and freedom.  Come listen to local students' feelings about this war, war in general, peace, justice and freedom.  Potent music presented in a powerful setting, please join us! 

Details at www.sheboyganareapeaceseekers.org   View/print your own color poster or 'take-along' for the event.  Preview Laramie's songs and multi-media at http://provisionalauthority.us.

March 15 thru 19 2005 Laramie Crocker will be in Wisconsin performing a selection of his antiwar music, and will meet with several local groups about his songs, his goals, and in workshops on writing music and prose for peace activism.  Trip and March 16th event jointly sponsored by Sheboygan Area Peace Seekers and Veterans for Peace Sheboygan.  Saturday March 19 2005 he will perform at a 2nd anniversary anti-war demonstration in Milwaukee at the "Sunburst" at the east end of Wisconsin Avenue near the War Memorial.

January 20th 2005, the anti-inauguration event, (or "inauguraction") in Washington, DC, several or our members will be traveling by bus to show their dissatisfaction both of the President's war/military policies, and concerns over whether or not he even is the election victor.

November 19 to 21 2004.  School of the Americas Watch.  Join our bus/plane trip Nov. 19 to 21 to protest the assassination and covert operations school that trains Central and South American nationals from the Army's Fort Benning, in Columbus, Georgia.  More details for the event soon. 

From their website:  For over a decade, students, religious, labor, veterans, human rights, and social/global justice groups have been converging every November at the gates of Fort Benning, GA to speak out in solidarity with the people of the Americas and to engage in nonviolent direct action. We will gather again this year on November 20 and 21 to continue together in the struggle until the School of the Americas is closed and the policies it represents are changed forever!

September 2004 was  a busy month for protesting, we had representatives at Cheney's Johnsonville appearance Sept 10, Bush in Milwaukee Sept 3, and attended the Fighting BobFest on Sept 18.

September 23rd, 2004.  Wheels of Justice comes to Sheboygan with appearances at Plymouth High School, Sheboygan North High School, UW Sheboygan, and Mead Public Library.  Read more details at www.sheboyganareapeaceseekers.org.

September 11, 2004.  In memory of those killed and affected by the September 11th bombing, and recognizing the innocent that have been killed and affected since that famous date.

August 14, 2004Earthfest.   A great Sheboygan event for sharing information where we set up an informational table.  Speakers, music, arts and ideas on sustainable activities around the globe.  Fountain Park Sheboygan between 8th and 9th and Erie, downtown Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

August 7, 2004.  Our friends with Vets for Kerry marched in the BratDays Parade, assembling at 8:30am on N. 7th St. between Center and Pennsylvania.  While we do not endorse Kerry, we do support all political activism!  Click here to view/print a parade poster.

August 6, 2004.  Hiroshima Day, 7pm.  Deland Park and then walking together to Riverfront Park for a short memorial recognizing those who died or were sickened by the Hiroshima or Nagasaki nuclear blasts 49 years ago. 

July 6th 2004.  Don Richards, a member of the Milwaukee Common Council, will address a Committee of the Sheboygan Common Council on their experiences in drafting and accepting resolutions against components of the USA Patriot Act.  Attend and show your support for the discussion and consideration of this topic!  Sheboygan City Hall, 3rd floor, 6pm.  [Ed: the presentation was well received and Council decided to draft a resolution identical to Milwaukee's passed ordinance for further discussion, a big thanks to Don Richards!]

June 23rd 2004, Wednesday.  "Federal Surveillance after Sept 11th".  Athan Theoharis, Marquette Professor of History discusses the USA Patriot Act and Wisconsin and US Constitutional issues.  Sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union and Sheboygan Human Rights Association.  Mead Public Library, Sheboygan 7pm.

June 20, 2004.  Our friend Phyllis Bergquist will be presenting  the sermon and also a short multi-media about her recent middle east trip with the Christian Peacemaker Teams.  She will speak about "Palestine, Israel, and the Wall" for both the 8:00am and 9:30am services at Saron United Church of Christ.

May 31, 2004   Sheboygan Memorial Day Parade.  Vets for Peace will be "Marching" as a unit, meet at 7:45am in the Center Street assembly area in front of the Sheboygan Press Building.  Wear your baseball caps with Vets for Peace buttons. [Ed: the parade was cancelled due to weather, too bad, we were all looking forward to it!]

May 22, 2004  Vets for Peace members will be placing flags on military graves at Wildwood Cemetery with the Retired Enlisted Association and Veterans of Foreign Wars.  8am to 10am or 10am till noon.  8am west end of cemetary.  10am meet at the Mausoleum at the east end of the cemetery off New Jersey Avenue.

March 20, 2004 in Sheboygan, at Fountain Park.  Sheboygan Veterans for Peace will sponsor a "Time to Reflect on the Effects of War" from 6:30pm till 9:30pm.  Join us for a Memorial of Luminaries for those Americans and Iraqis that have lost their lives in Iraq.  See photos of event.

 

Our formative times and history:

Some of our historical background as a local chapter will be here soon, please stop back!

 

 
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