Vets Toss Medals Back at NATO
US War Veterans Tossing Medals Back at NATO Was
Heroic Act See Veterans Today
In the shadow of the recent Nato summit, in Chicago, under the watchful eyes of a phalanx of full-black-clad riot police, dozens of former servicemen and women in uniform, veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, threw away their medals, with apologies. See video here: http://democracynow.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=7c55dbbfa32e541749065a92a&id=5d56ffe0db&e=96db9b9fd7
“No amount of medals, ribbons, or flags can cover the amount of human suffering caused by this war.” “I have only one word, and it is shame.” “This is for the people of Iraq and Afghanistan.” “Mostly, I’m sorry. I’m sorry to all of you. I am sorry…” “I am returning my medal today because I want to live by my conscience, rather than be a prisoner of it.” “I apologize to the Iraqi and Afghan people for destroying your countries.” “I don’t want these anymore.”
U.S. war veterans flash the peace sign before throwing their medals towards the site of the NATO Summit in Chicago.
Photo credit: Daily Mail, UK.
Operation Iraqi Freedom medal. Tossed. Global War on Terror medal. Thrown. National Defense medal. Pitched. Marine Corps Good Conduct medal. Flung. Navy and Marine Corps medals. Chucked.
It was one of the most moving experiences many of us had witnessed in our lives. Their words, their voices, crackling under the emotion of their courageous act, breaking under the weight of the pain, the trauma, their anger, sadness, and hope – theirs was a heroic and beautiful act, a moving ceremony at the close of a peaceful anti-NATO march with more than 10,000 protesters. Many of these men and women urged us to do something to set straight the havoc that we have wreaked in these various occupations. All of them spoke truth. Perhaps that was their greatest gift of peace.
END THESE WARS NOW!
1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties. 4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, etc.
5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760.
Phone (808) 966-7622. Emailja@malu-aina.org http://www.malu-aina.org
Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (May 25, 2012 – 557th week) – Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office
