50 years ago, American boys, most under 20 years of age, committed unspeakable acts against a civilian hamlet in Vietnam. Over 500 women, children (yes! there were babies!) and old men were slaughtered by American soldiers. Civilian “collateral damage” is a tragic cost of any war; the My Lai massacre only exemplified it at a highly public level. The San Diego Chapter of Veterans For Peace (VFP) is named after Hugh C. Thompson, the courageous US Army helicopter pilot who landed his chopper and, along with fellow crewmen, intervened against fellow American troops to end the carnage at My Lai. Thompson reported the “incident” up the chain of command but was met with indifference and ridicule by authorities.
50 years removed from My Lai, today we see American troops in over 120 countries, with US bases in over 80. We’re embroiled in multiple wars and conflicts, and the “Doomsday Clock” has just been advanced 30 seconds closer to midnight, due to escalating tensions over possible nuclear war. Drone warfare is commonplace with mounting civilian casualties, as American warriors in Nevada routinely target and kill in places around the globe.
As citizens, we must draw connections between our foreign war policies of the past and those of today. Absent the military draft, most people do not see the true, total costs of war. Politicians continue to over-fund the Pentagon without any dissent and then reduce spending on programs that benefit our population. If we fail to speak out, we’re complicit in the wars our government conducts in our names.
The My Lai Memorial Exhibit, by allowing you to take part in the artistic process, honors the over two million Vietnamese civilians who died in what we call the “Vietnam War” but what will forever be known in Vietnam as the “American War.” This Memorial Exhibit offers three interactive opportunities to dialogue, build a sculptural collage, and to share your artwork and comments. You’ll be able to participate in a strong, anti-war response to the Pentagon’s $63 million campaign to sanitize and glorify this unnecessary, unjust, and immoral military action.
The 50th anniversary of the My Lai Massacre will be March 16, 2018, and the San Diego and Chicago Chapters of the Veterans For Peace, the San Diego Peace Resource Center, and the American Friends Service Committee invite you to observe, participate and reflect on these events during its week in San Diego.
Interactive art display: Thursday, March 15, 12 noon to 6 pm , Bard Hall, and
Friday, March 16, 2 pm – 9 pm, Bard Hall
Friday, March 16, 7:30 pm, Speakers & Q & A
Speakers include:
For more information, contact Gary Butterfield, garyvfp@gmail.com or the MyLai Memorial webpage: mylaimemorial.org.
Gary Butterfield has been a member of First Church for 3 years. He is the current president of San Diego Veterans For Peace and a member of the Board of Directors for the San Diego Peace Resource Center. This presentation is endorsed by the Social Justice Ministry Team of First Church.
As citizens, we must draw connections between our foreign war policies of the past and those of today. Absent the military draft, most people do not see the true, total costs of war. Politicians continue to over-fund the Pentagon without any dissent and then reduce spending on programs that benefit our population. If we fail to speak out, we’re complicit in the wars our government conducts in our names.
The My Lai Memorial Exhibit, by allowing you to take part in the artistic process, honors the over two million Vietnamese civilians who died in what we call the “Vietnam War” but what will forever be known in Vietnam as the “American War.” This Memorial Exhibit offers three interactive opportunities to dialogue, build a sculptural collage, and to share your artwork and comments. You’ll be able to participate in a strong, anti-war response to the Pentagon’s $63 million campaign to sanitize and glorify this unnecessary, unjust, and immoral military action.
The 50th anniversary of the My Lai Massacre will be March 16, 2018, and the San Diego and Chicago Chapters of the Veterans For Peace, the San Diego Peace Resource Center, and the American Friends Service Committee invite you to observe, participate and reflect on these events during its week in San Diego.
Interactive art display: Thursday, March 15, 12 noon to 6 pm , Bard Hall, and
Friday, March 16, 2 pm – 9 pm, Bard Hall
Friday, March 16, 7:30 pm, Speakers & Q & A
Speakers include:
- Dennis Stout, photographer and Vietnam Army veteran will offer testimony on personally witnessed Vietnam events;
- Barry Ladendorf, Naval Officer and past National President of VFP will provide his perspective on the Massacre;
- Marjorie Cohn, attorney, author, and expert on the legality of war and on drone warfare will tie it to present wars.
For more information, contact Gary Butterfield, garyvfp@gmail.com or the MyLai Memorial webpage: mylaimemorial.org.
Gary Butterfield has been a member of First Church for 3 years. He is the current president of San Diego Veterans For Peace and a member of the Board of Directors for the San Diego Peace Resource Center. This presentation is endorsed by the Social Justice Ministry Team of First Church.
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