COUNTER-RECRUITMENT EFFORTS ON NOV 3RD AND 4RTH!!!

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Dear Friends,

There wil be an organizing meeting for those who are interested in
counter-recruitment actions. The meeting will be on November 3rd at 7:30 pm at
the Quaker Meeting House (130 19th Ave S.E.) Please join us then as we
collaborate on ideas for actions which will bring some attention to this
important issue. Call 867-1212 (Linda) or 864-1535 (Dwight).

In peace,
Linda Hubner

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Veterans for Peace and others to leaflet at Dunedin High School, Friday, Nov. 4
at 6:15 am. Please join us for one hour.
Contact: Dwight Lawton 727-414-0308
Location: 1651 Pinehurst Rd, Dunedin, Pinellas County, FL
School phone #: 727-469-4100

Directions; from US 19, go east on 580 (Main St.) past CR 1 north on Pinehurst
Rd. School on the west side.

Veterans for Peace, Tampa Bay and other community groups will be leafleting at
Dunedin H.S. to provide information to students and their parents about their
right to opt out of being contacted by military recruiters and to give them
educational information that will aid them in their enlistment decision.

The Pinellas and Hillsborough County school administrations have denied veterans
and other community groups the opportunity to speak to students about military
service. We and the students have been denied rights guaranteed by the First and
Fourteenth Amendment. This denial runs counter to the primary goal of education
to provide needed information.

Please call or e-mail Pinellas School Superintendent, Dr. Clayton Wilcox
(727-588-6011); wilcoxc@pcsb.org or Hillsborough Superintendent, Mary Ellen Elia
(813 -272-4000); Maryellen.elia@sdhc.K12.fl.us and ask them to instruct the
schools to give us the same access that is afforded military recruiters.

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR NOVEMBER! VETERAN'S DAY VIGILS!

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
Veterans For Peace Tampa Bay Chapter 119
*Camp Casey Cornering Vigil*
November 7th from 4 PM to 6 PM /DUSK
at 4th St North and Gandy Blvd .
Show motorists you are a friend when they are traveling home to Hillsborough
and Pinellas. Show our right to dissent in a friendly manner with our message in Hating
War! Right afterwards, come and join us at the:
*Monthly Chapter Meeting*
November 7, 2005
Panera Bread
1908 4th St N from 6:30 to 9 PM in St. Petersburg.
Veterans For Peace has elected at the last meeting to observe Camp Casey
once a month on the first Monday and Chapter meetings will follow.
(Rain date will follow the next Monday).
Next vigils and meetings are December 5th and Jan 2nd with meetings at the
Feather Sound Penera Bread. Unless notified otherwise.
**************************************
*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
*Veterans For Peace Tampa Bay Chapter 119 *
*Veterans/Armistice Day Vigils*
**
*Friday November 11, 2005 Veterans For Peace Tampa Bay Chapter 119
*urges you to participate either in a day ceremony or evening vigil to honor
living Veteran survivors of war and the Armistice of the Great War. The
origin of this day is the Armistice treaty that ended the Great War of
1914-1918 in France on the 11 month, 11th day, 11th hour and minute in 1918.
Armistice Day was later changed to Veterans Day in 1954. At these vigils we
hope to bring back the true meaning of this day: to make peace instead of
celebrating the horrors of war.

*Daytime Memorial Vigil* will be held at the Veterans Flag Memorial at 1st
Ave N and 3rd St N in Williams Park, St Petersburg between 11AM to 12:30PM.
Invocations will be given by the Muslim, Jewish and Christian Clergy. The
Fallen of Tampa Bay and Florida roster will be recited from the current
conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. A movable memorial will in place.
Speakers may include Veterans, elected officials, poets, singers to lead us
in song and those with a message of peace for humanity. Street parking is
available. Then we all can forage at a nearby restaurant.

*Candle Light Vigil* will held from 6:30 to 8:30 PM Friday November 11th
across from Bayshore Park and the Patriots Corner in Tampa,FL at
intersection of W Bay to Bay and Bayshore Blvds. We will repeat the morning
event for those who had to work. Then at the end of the ceremonies we will
spread up and down the sidewalk along the bay with our candles and make new
friends. And again we all can forage at a nearby restaurant.

Additional information:
Park your vehicle at the park's lot or on a side street. Cross over safely
and link up in a ongoing line that will flow up or down the shoreline
sidewalk. Please leave space for pedestrians access on the sidewalk. We
should make a good impact and we will be below one of the flight paths for
MacDill AFB and passing motorists.
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*For more information*
*
**Veterans for Peace Tampa Bay 119*
http://www.geocities.com/tampabayvfp/Chapter119.html
*Points of Contact
*Jay Alexander
jayalexus@yahoo.com, 727-527-3996(h) 727-365-4558(c)
Debra Hedding
debrakay@tampabay.rr.com, 813-600-5654(h)
Jesse Kern
trabahocfjc@yahoo.com, 727-823-8346(h)

Upcoming Meeting Dates and Camp Casey Vigils--ALL ARE WELCOME!

Hi to those Waging Peace:

Franklin D. Roosevelt said in his last inaugural address in 1945..."If you want friends .... you have to be one!" You can show your friendship to many at the next Camp Casey Cornering Vigil on November 7th from 4:30PM to 6 PM /dusk at 4th St North and Gandy Blvd .

Show motorists you are a friend when they are traveling home to Hillsborough and
Pinellas Counties. Show our right to dissent in a friendly manner with our message in Hating War!

Veterans For Peace has elected at the last meeting to observe Camp Casey once a month and observe it on the first Monday of the month.

After our monthly effort is our monthly meeting will be held at Panera Bread located at 1908 4th St N from 6:30 to 9 PM.

The next Camp Casey and meetings will be held the same time on December 5th and Jan 2nd with meetings at the Feather Sound Panera Bread.

We can share viewpoints with friends who witnessed the horror of war to friends
who object to all war.... Lets be Friends..

SEE YA SOON

Jay Alexander
VFP Veterans For Peace
Tampa Bay Chapter 119

COUNTER-RECRUITMENT--"National Stand Down Day" Discussing a local event for this date!

PLEASE FORWARD!
"National Stand Down Day"
End The Iraq War - Demonstrations and Nonviolent Resistance at
Recruiting Stations Across the Country

November 18, 2005

Young Americans sign on to go into harm's way to defend their country
if necessary, but instead they are being turned into harm's ministers
in a war that has claimed more then 100,000 Iraqi lives and nearly
2,000 Americans. The President and Congress have breached a sacred
trust with our soldiers and abused their oath to defend the
Constitution by leading young Americans to kill and die in a war based
on lies.

As the Bush Administration refuses to make plans to bring our troops
home, join us for "National Stand Down Day," as we halt the machinery
that takes young Americans off to this illegal and endless war in Iraq.

We welcome, and will provide coordination and support as possible, for
all manner of protests and demonstrations at recruiting centers. We
want to especially encourage and assist nonviolent resistance actions,
such as civil resistance or civil disobedience. As we recognize and
support soldiers who take great risks to refuse fighting in this
unjust war, so it is our moral responsibility to share that risk to
the extent that we can, by preventing even more young Americans from
being placed in such jeopardy – particularly in light of the lies and
abusive practices being used in the recruiting process.

Our violation of these unjust practices is undertaken in a spirit of
nonviolence and love, with compassion and respect for all we
encounter. But our nonviolence will not be mistaken for lack of
resolve: we cannot stand by while our schools and communities are
militarized by the "No Child Left Behind Act," or as potential
recruits are deceived by clauses that allow the armed forces to
disregard the terms of their contract.

This call is also made in support of the "National `Not Your Soldier'
Youth and Student Day of Action" call for a youth and student led counter-recruitment day of action on Thursday, November 17. We encourage everyone who will
participate in National Stand Down Day on November 18 to support the
efforts of local students as well - you can find out more by going to

http://www.nyspc.net/home.php

Please join us as we say NO the war in Iraq, and NO to the recruitment
of our fellow Americans into this war.

If you are interested in joining this nationally coordinated day of
nonviolent action to end the war, please contact us at http://www.iraqpledge.org

National Stand Down Day is a project of the Iraq Pledge of
Resistance's National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance.

Endorsers (list in formation):
Code Pink Women for Peace
National Call for Nonviolent Resistance
Progressive Democrats of America
Iraq Pledge of Resistance

Pete Perry
202-957-7383
http://www.peteperry.net

"Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace."
~Buddha

UPCOMING EVENTS and Discussion Topics--(all are being FINALIZED)

*National Candlelight Vigil
Tentative Location for vigil for the Tampa Bay Region for the
National Candlelight Vigil when the KIA body count reaches 2,000 in Iraq
Bayshore and Bay to Bay Blvd Candle light Vigil 7 -8 pm

*Call for dates for a board/membership meeting in late October or early November

*Need volunteers for http://www.circusmcgurkis.org/ on Oct 29

*Nov 10 - Radio Talk shows for Veteran's Day

8 AM American AM - Host Henry Raines - Veterans Speak Out - Tentative guests Tampa Bay VFP and Srgt Massey USMC Iraq Vet and author.

1:05 PM Host Rob Lorei- Radioactivity Show on WMNF 88.5 FM
Show topic Veterans Speak Out on Issues confronting our Nation in a time of War and announcing events occurring locally and across the state and nation.

*Nov 11 - Veterans' Day (formerly Armistice Day) November 11, is the anniversary of the Armistice which was signed in the Forest of Compiegne by the Allies and the Germans in 1918, ending World War I, after four years of conflict.

Observances in St Petersburg in the AM Tampa in the PM

*Williams Park 11 AM Sharp to 12 Noon.
Attending will be guest speakers from the invocations of our religious leaders, elected officials and Veterans of WW2 though Iraq War on the topic of honoring Veterans. Also will include singing and recitation of the fallen Floridians in Iraq and Afghanistan with a moveable memorial to the fallen.

*Bayshore and Bay to Bay Blvd Candle light Vigil - Tampa 6 - 8 PM
Invocation, local elected officials and active duty military to participate with public in candlelight vigil on the Shoreline sidewalk. Bring a candle or flashlight...this may be location for vigil for Tampa Bay for the National Candlelight Vigil when the KIA body count reaches 2,000 in Iraq

*Camp Casey Monday NOV 14th at 4:30 to 5:30 PM

*Counter-Recruitment "National Stand Down Day" on November 18, 2005
(See next post on this blog!)

*SOA 18 to 20 Nov SOA(School of the America's) - Ft Benning - save on gas lets take a bus or van and share a room.

Chapter 119 TBVFP - Monthly Membership Meeting 10/10/05

Chapter 119 TBVFP - Monthly Membership Meeting
PLEASE PASS THIS INFO ON TO ANY VETERANS THAT YOU KNOW!
ALL ARE WELCOME!

Monthly Membership Meeting
Of Chapter 119
Tampa Bay Veterans For Peace

October 10 “Columbus Day”
at 7-9 PM

Panera Bread
2285 Ulmerton Road
Clearwater, FLA 33762
727-592-9690
Directions:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&address=2285+Ulmerton+Rd&city=Clearwater&state=FL&zipcode=33762
CLICK ABOVE!
Look for VFP Flag in meeting Room!

This meeting will follow the Camp Casey Vigil at 4th and Gandy Blvd from 5 to 6:30 pm. We will open with introductions and briefly share with us your peace activities over the summer. Everyone is asked to be involved in upcoming events from Direct Actions as vigils to counter recruiting - training for Counseling for the GI Hotline - Circus Magurkis, Armistice Day/Veterans Day Observance – SOA at Ft Benning,
and more as time permits

Bring along a friend especially an Iraq War Vet!

Thanks for your support of the TBVFP & TBSAC Camp Casey Vigil at 4th and Gandy Blvd at 5 to 6:30 pm.

Agenda will be given at the meeting.

Points of Contact--call for more information!
Jesse Kern 727-823-8346 trabahocfjc@yahoo.com
Jay Alexander 727-527-3996 jayalexus@yahoo.com
Dwight Lawton 727-864-1535 dlawton2@tampabay.rr.com
D. K. Hedding 813-600-5654 debrakay@tampabay.rr.com

TWO COUNTER-RECRUITMENT HAPPENINGS!

Come and join the local Chapter 119 Veterans for Peace in leafletting the high schools. VFP members will be passing out flyers regarding the military and the high schoolers options to entering the military.

For you early risers, each gathering will take place at 615AM on Friday mornings for the next two weeks:

Sept 30th
Osceola High School
9751 98th St N.
Seminole

October 7th
Pinellas Park High School
6305 118th Ave
Largo

If you cannot join in the fun, please get in touch with Mr. Wilcox,
the head of the Pinellas County School Board.

Direct your phone calls and letters to:
Pinellas County Schools
301 4th Street SW
Largo, FL 33779-2942
727-586-1818

...or an email to:
wilcoxc@pcsb.org

So far, Mr. Wilcox will not allow Veterans for Peace into the schools to talk directly to the kids. But the recruiters are always allowed in! This is in violation of the First and Fourth Ammendments!
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/09/06/Tampabay/Veterans_group_denied.shtml

Get in touch with Dwight Lawton at dlawton2@tampabay.rr.com for more information.

Ongoing Monday Camp Casey - Tampa Bay 9/19/05

Tampa Bay Veterans For Peace Chapter 119
ASKS YOU to join us in the ongoing Monday Camp Casey - Tampa Bay

Monday, September 19, 2005 5:30 to 6: 30 p.m.
at 4th and Gandy Blvd, St Petersburg.

Cindy Sheehan lost her son Casey on April 4, 2004.
President Bush has avioded meeting to answer her simple question...

"What was the 'Noble Cause" for Casey and the 1900+ who
died in Iraq?"

She and many Americans need our support!
Thanks in advance for coming out to support Cindy
and to end our addiction to war! Bring a sign and water.

WAGE PEACE!

Park your vehicle at 99th Ave and 4th Street North at the Bennigan’s
Restaurant. There is plenty of empty space next to their property at the abandoned Steak n'
Shake building. The manager said there is no fear of getting towed.

Walk through the hedge and head north along the fence line on 4th St on the
mowed grass to the shaded southeast corner sidewalk. From there we will
populate the other concrete traffic islands and sidewalks for maximum exposure
to motorists safely in all directions of their travel.

Afterwards we can forage and enjoy some suds and food at a local dining spot!
See Cindy Sheehan's Bus Tour
http://www.bringthemhomenowtour.org/

Sponsors are a coaltion of
Veterans for Peace - Tampa Bay Chapter 119
http://www.geocities.com/tampabayvfp/Chapter119.html
Save America Coalition Tampa Bay
http://www.jkenoyer.com/dsm/
St Pete For Peace
http://www.stpeteforpeace.org

Contact Jay Alexander jayalexus@yahoo.com 727 527 3996

September 14, 2005--Veterans for Peace to leaflet students about military recruitment.

MEDIA RELEASE
CONTACT:
Please call Dwight Lawton for the latest information on leafletting at the schools in the Tampa/St. Pete area or see our elist.
http://www.geocities.com/tampabayvfp/Chapter119.html
http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/tampabayvfp
*********************************************
September 14, 2005
Dwight Lawton
(727) 415-0308
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Veterans for Peace to leaflet students about military recruitment.
Boca Ciega High School, Gulfport, Florida
924 58th St. South, St. Petersburg

Friday, September 16 at 6:15 am
Veterans for Peace, Tampa Bay and other community groups will be leafleting at Boca Ciega H.S. to provide information to students and their parents about their right to opt out of being contacted by military recruiters and to give them educational information that will aid them in their career decision.

The Pinellas and Hillsborough County school administrations have denied veterans and other community groups the opportunity to speak to students about military service. Our goal is to furnish students and their parents with information that could help them make an informed decision.