Letter from a CODEPINK peace delegate to Cuba

Letter from Cynthia Heil, Chapter 099 member, submitted to and printed by the Asheville Citizen-Times:

I was privileged to be one of a 60-person CODEPINK:  Women for Peace delegation attending the Fourth International Conference on Peace and the Abolition of Foreign Military Bases, November 23-25, in Guantanamo, Cuba.  The delegation's purpose was to represent the US, celebrate increased diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba, and join Cuba's call for closing the US navy base and returning Cuba's land.

I acted on this opportunity for outreach to Cubans during this time of renewing relations with our neighbor to exchange ideas on issues critical to both cultures.

Thanksgiving Day, following the conference, many CODEPINK delegates fasted 24 hours in solidaarity with Guantanamo prisoners who are on hunger strides for justice.

"We came...to Guantanamo...to call for closure of the Americfal prison where so many horrific human rights abuses have occurred", said CODEPINK organizer and delegate Nancy Mancias.  "I will be fasting with 49 other delegates on a day that is historically known for sitting around a meal table...."

Our delegation is committed to closing the US base that has occupied land in Cuba for over a century and lifting the US embargo that has strangled Cuba's economy for over 60 years.

Various recent photos

 This is another picture of the Veterans for Peace booth 

at the People's Peace Festival on 9-20-15.

 This is a photo of the crowd at the
International Day of Peace event 

in front of Asheville City Hall on 9-21-15.

Ellie Halsey and Garland Walker at the Veteran's Stand Down 

at Stephens-Lee Recreation Center.

Above photos by Garland and Ellen Walker.

Peace Day Celebration in Asheville September 20, 2015

 The booth at the Peace Day Celebration - Bob Feldman, Josephine, Jim Duffy,
Cindy Heil, Lyle Petersen and Gerry Werhan.

 Lyle Petersen and Gerry Werhan

 Some photos of Ron Harayda, our former president of
Chapter 099. His memorial service was in January 2015.
We still remember him fondly.

Chris Berg

Above photos by Susan Oehler.

Peace Walkers - August 1 and 2, 2015

 Ken Jones is carrying the Vets for Peace, Chapter 099, flag.

 Clare Hanrahan and Chris Brown on the Saturday part of the walk.

 The whole group on Sunday morning.

Jim Brown, Susan Oehler and Ken Jones are member of Vets for Peace Chapter 099 

and in the front row in this photo. In the back row is Chris Berg on far left.

Veterans for Peace at Move to Amend Rally

Photos originally posted by Jim Brown. This rally was on May 24, 2015.

Memorial Day ceremony

Below are five pictures from this past Monday's ceremony at the Veterans Memorial at the Roger McGuire Green.

Photos were taken by Garland Walker.

Chapter members paint a vet's house

In conjunction with Habitat for Humanity, members of VFP 099 worked at painting a vet's house on 3/30. A big thanks to Ellie Halsey, Rusty Sivils, Charlie St Clair and Garland Walker. A few pictures are above: before and after painting pictures, Ellie at work, Garland and Rusty slapping it on.

Some more pictures of Ronald Harayda

Ron died in December and we had a memorial for him in January. I miss him, and have been missing him for awhile at vigils and such.... he was recently too ill to come to many of those activities.