Everything I know about war, I learned from veterans.

Before I came to Bellingham, my concepts of war were what I had seen in movies or on the news.  After I began working with the Veterans Outreach and Support Network (VOSN), a project of the Whatcom Peace and Justice Center, I realized how little I knew about the reality of war.  Even six months later, my learning curve remains steep.  Certainly I catch glimpses of war’s reality when listening to a veteran describe his experience in combat, or when hearing a mother’s story of what it was like to find out that her child was killed in action.  Like most civilians, however, I remain largely ignorant of the veteran culture.  Yet, also like most civilians, I want to be an ally and partner to those who served our country.  

When Evan Knappenberger returned from Iraq in 2007, he started a seven-day, one-man protest against “stop-loss”—a military policy requiring soldiers to serve beyond their contracts.  The Peace Center helped Evan get a city permit, a 6-foot scaffold and sandbags.  It mobilized volunteers and initiated a media campaign.  At the beginning of 2009, Defense Secretary Robert Gates canceled the stop-loss policy. This year, Evan and I have begun work to establish a veterans court in Whatcom County—an effort that has already gained significant support.

There is often times an assumption in our culture that military and peace communities cannot work together for a common cause.  This is false.  On the surface, our goals and values may appear to be oppositional.  But if we gather the courage to take a second look, we find we are more alike than we want to believe.  From my discussions with local peace activists, I have learned that the reason they are against war is because they do not want people to suffer and die – soldiers and civilians alike.  Moreover, many Gold Star family members and veterans have historically allied with movements to end war.

VOSN is a bridge.  It reminds us that there is much to agree on.  For example, we all realize that the situation for returning vets needs drastic improvement.  Ensuring that vets receive the benefits and care they deserve should be our community’s highest priority.  

Our united efforts can facilitate positive change.  

When the goal is not to convince, but rather to gain mutual understanding, military and peace communities can work together toward common goals.  This is not a naïve, idealistic vision.  I have seen it work.  Someone once wrote: “An enemy is a person whose story we have not heard.”  VOSN provides an opportunity for people to tell their stories-- and to discover the humanity present in all of us.

If you are a veteran and want support implementing a community project, contact me.  I would be honored to partner with you.

Gemma Veldey
Coordinator, Veterans Outreach and Support Network
 
Contact Gemma Veldey at 360-734-0217.

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