Our December 21  our meeting was attend by Frank H., Ed B., Dan W., Hervie H., Lou I. and myself, John A. Frank gave a treasuer's report which was approved. We  decided to send $70 to VFP National, $20 for  the cost of newsletters and $50 toward M. McPearson's lifetime  membership. It was an easy going meeting which ended early. Dan invited us all to his open house on New Year's day and we put together a list of what we had accomplished in the last 4 moths or so. We also discussed some of the upcoming events and how to increase participation. Dan would love to have us at his December 24, vigil in front of St. Peters hospital at the corners of Manning and New Scotland Blvd., from  5 PM to 6 PM. Below is the report of our last 4 months of activity.  Best wishes for a  Happy and peaceful 2010.

December 19, 2009

Our next meeting is December 21, 2009,  7 PM, VA Hospital, 4th Floor, Ann Wilson Lounge. Elliot's presentation on Gaza was very good. Rev. Billy was great fun! Hope to see you there.

Paz, John

December 16, 2009

Elliott Adams, Board Member of Veterans For Peace, National
 and past president of Veterans for Peace,
 will speak on his October, 2009 trip to Gaza

11/17/2009

Our meeting was very full with students visiting from SUNY Albany, part of a social protest class. We were very pleased they attended. The topic discussed was the Albany County Nursing Home.  A third of the people in the home are veterans and our guest speakers gave us valuable information to further understand the crisis. We also discussed Israel Palestine briefly and protest plans if President Obama announces an increase in troop strength for Afghanistan. The Good Soldier movie and veterans panel was very successful and as usual we marched in the Veterans Day Parade, joined by Kathy Kelly, a very special peacemaker.  So much is happening so quickly that it is hard to keep up with the details and all of the events in our area. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.  Sharing a meal with family and friends is a wonderful thing.

Paz, John

November 13, 2009

Our next meeting is Monday, November 16, 2009 at the VA Hospital, 4th floor, Ann Wilson Lounge, 7 PM.  There are many concerns we need to discuss including the Albany County Nursing Home since many veterans are in need of this care. I want to thank everyone for turning out for the parade. It was a good effort and great fun to have Kathy Kelly with us. We also leafleted for the Good Soldier movie and we had a terrific turnout for the movie and veteran's panel at Proctors with my best estimate at about 170 folks in the audience.  192 tickets were sold however not all of them were used.  Sunday, November 15th is the protest against drones up in Syracuse and many folks from the immediate region are also heading up that way.  So we hope to see you all Monday if not sooner.  

Paz, John

November 6, 2009

Veterans Day Parade.

Dear Peace Community,

Please join VFP and Kathy Kelly on November 11, 2009 at 10:45 to
walk in the Veterans Day Parade.

November 2, 2009

A page has been added to our VFP website for the Good Soldier. Proctors is offering discounted tickets to Veterans, Seniors and students for just $4.00. VFP will provide free tickets to the first 100 high school students who go to Proctors and present a student identification card. If you will go to our home page you can also read about our veterans panel at Proctors after the 7:00 PM screening. Our next chapter meeting is November 16, 2009 at 7 PM in the VA Hospital. Hope you all can make it. We meet the third Monday of every month in the Ann Wilson lounge, 4th floor at 7 PM.

Paz, John

October 26, 2009

As mentioned on the title page, The Good Soldier is playing at Proctors on November 11, 2009 and this is an exceptionally powerful and important movie. After seeing it, I wrote the following email, which I sent out to a few folks. It isn't the best writing but it was what I was feeling. Truly I hope you will come and see this movie and invite others. Also continue reading below. Thanks.

October 20, 2009 
 
 Our monthly meeting was well attended including Hervie H., Bob A., Lou S.
 and Lou I., Ed Bloch, Frank H., Lloyd H. and John A. There was a great
 deal to discuss including the Saturday rally at the Capital against the
 Empire's wars, including Afghanistan and Iraq. VFP
 had a very good turnout and led the march through Albany. On November
 11, 2009, "The Good Soldier" will be screened at Proctor's Theater in
 Schenectady, followed by Q&A with a veteran's panel. Ed Bloch,
 Frank Houde and John Amidon have been selected for the panel and others
 will be added. We will work hard to make this a successful event and
 encourage VFP members and the entire peace community to attend.  More
 information will be posted soon.  We also discussed the Veteran's Day
 parade and as soon as we have parade orders, the details will be
 posted. Kathy Kelly will be marching with us this year so hopefully
 everyone will turn out and make it a truly special event. Frank Houde
 and I will also be leading a discussion after the film, "Soldiers of
 Conscience" on November 10th, 6:45 PM at the Bethlehem Public Library
 presented by BNP. Our chapter also will take an add in the MLK
 celebration program joining with other peace groups in our community.
 VFP is also part of the Sanctuary for Independent Media Event on
 November 11th.  The awards dinner was discussed and everyone had a
 great time and thought it was an exceptional gathering.  Many of us
 would like to do it again next year.  

October 17, 2009

Our next VFP meeting is November 19, Monday, 7 PM at the VA Hospital, 4th Floor, Ann Wilson Lounge. Hope you can make it. The awards dinner was great fun and I have posted  an update under the awards dinner section. Today we are headed to the rally at the Capital. End the war now!