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US Peace Memorial Foundation, Inc.

www.USPeaceMemorial.org ¥ info@USPeaceMemorial.org

www.facebook.com/USPeace ¥ @USPeaceMemorial

334 East Lake Road  #136  ¥  Palm Harbor, FL 34685  ¥  (202) 455-8776

 

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2014

 

This report is a summary of our activities and progress in 2014.  Our Foundation exists to increase the number of Americans who speak out against a war or wars.  Last year, American forces killed and wounded people in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, and Syria.  Many were children.  If you are concerned about the current level of militarism, please join us in honoring those who have the courage to speak out.  The endless wars will stop only when the American people demand it.
 
Please make a
donation today commensurate with your commitment to peace.  If we are going to stop the killing, we must create a culture of peace in the U.S. where more of us feel comfortable demanding peaceful alternatives to war in times of international crisis.  Please help us identify more antiwar and peace role models to share with the nation.  Copy and send this link to your family and friends <www.uspeacememorial.org/2014.htm> and encourage them to join us.

 

NOTES OF APPRECIATION



 

Volunteers

Thank you to our Directors: Dr. Lucy Bradley-Springer, Dr. Charles F. Clark, and Jolyon Sasse; our Assistant Editors: Sondra G. Cadman, Barbara Gerten, Dr. Lynette J. Menezes, Dr. Martha Friedrich, and Mikell Herrick; and State Coordinator: Dr. Dennis Neyman.  Thanks also to Donald Martin for bookkeeping and to Dr. Floyd W. Rudmin for working to secure Founding Members from new states.  Without these incredible and dedicated volunteers, very little would have been accomplished during the year.

 

The US Peace Memorial Foundation is a nationwide grassroots organization dependent on volunteers.  We are especially in need of editors, researchers, marketing specialists, fund-raisers, and state coordinators.  See www.uspeacememorial.org/Volunteer.htm for more details.  If you have the skills for one of these jobs, and could donate four or more hours a month, we could certainly use your help.


 

Founding Members

In 2014 there were several milestones in terms of donor support that demonstrate that our Foundation is maturing; the first bequest, the first initial donation at the $5,000 level, and the first time a donorÕs cumulative donations have exceeded $10,000.  Benjamin B. Ferencz, the sole surviving Nuremberg war crimes prosecutor, made the largest single donation in our history.  The logo on his website: "Law, Not War" reflects our shared goals of a more peaceful and humane world.  Joan E. Gildemeister, psychologist and long time financial supporter, is the first person to announce that they have remembered us in their will and included a bequest to the Foundation.  Her wish is to counterbalance the war monuments on the Mall by building the US Peace Memorial in honor of those devoted to world peace.  You may read about the peace activities of these two outstanding Founding Members in our publication, the US Peace Registry.

 

Thank you to all of our new Founding Members and our 2014 continuing donors.  They are:

 

Dr. Marion A. Becker, FL

Walter Beebe, NY

Thomas A. Block, MD

Dr. Lucy Bradley-Springer, CO

Sondra G. Cadman, FL

Dr. Beata Casa–as, FL

Dr. Robert J. Casa–as, FL

Dr. David A. Chiriboga, FL

Dr. Charles F. Clark, CO

Stanley J. Clark, OK

CODEPINK Women for Peace, CA

Frank Dorrel, CA

Jodie Evans, CA

Benjamin B. Ferencz, NY

Barbara Fite, FL

Dr. Sondra J. Fogel, FL

Mary Francis, OK

Marilyn Gallant, MA

Barbara Gerten, MN

Mikell T. Herrick, NY

Steven Hurley, FL

Linda Musmeci Kimball, OH

Dr. Michael D. Knox, FL

David M. Korman, PA

Stephen D. Landers, NC

Dr. Nathan L. Linsk, IL

Dr. Charles S. Mahan, FL

Dr. Anthony J. Marsella, GA

Dr. Victor A. Molinari, FL

Jean Patterson, MA

Dr. Kathleen M. Rehl, FL

Barbara Riordan, FL

Donald E. Riordan, FL

Doug Rippey, CO

Thomas Safran, CA

Jolyon Sasse, FL

Dr. Paul Van Slambrouck, MI

Sally J. Van Slambrouck, MI

Walpole Peace and Justice Group, MA

Dr. Terrence Webster-Doyle, VT

Shuying C. Weeks, FL

Dr. Nilufer Wilkins, FL

Brenda Woodard

World Beyond War

Stephen G. Yovino

 

Have your name permanently associated with the US Peace Memorial.  Founding Members are listed on our website, in our publication the US Peace Registry, and eventually at the National Monument we will build in Washington, DC.

 

MISSION FOCUSED

 

Description: Description: Description: Description: IGH RES us-peace-memorial-logo-finalHonoring those who stand for peace has always been the purpose of the US Peace Memorial Foundation.  In 2014 we added these 6 words to our logo to help us clearly and succinctly state our mission. 
 
Those of us who work for peace are pulled in many directions as wars continue, countries are invaded, and people are killed, wounded, and become refugees.  Already thin antiwar resources are stretched, and peace seems elusive as militarism maintains a fixed hold on our culture.  
 
Our highly focused work is to recognize and honor Americans who stand for peace by
publishing the US Peace Registry, awarding an annual Peace Prize, and planning for the US Peace Memorial in Washington, DC.  These educational projects help move the United States toward a culture of peace, as we honor the millions of thoughtful and courageous Americans and U.S. organizations that have taken a public stand against one or more U.S. wars or who have devoted their time, energy, and other resources to finding peaceful solutions to international conflicts.  We celebrate these role models to inspire other Americans to speak out against war and for peace.  For more details, please read the short commentary ÒWorld Peace: A First StepÓ www.uspeacememorial.org/WorldPeace.htm.

 

At its basic core, the US Peace Memorial Foundation is all about giving people the opportunity to share their activities for peace and against war.  We post examples of what you and your organizations are doing to instruct and inspire other Americans to demand an end to war.  Antiwar talk among friends is cheap; actually working for peace is something that we recognize and celebrate.  Your work will motivate others and more Americans will feel comfortable confronting our government, just like they did to help end the wars in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.  We appreciate all of you who work for peace.


At this critical moment in history, we must increase the number of Americans speaking out against U.S. war.  By making a contribution, you will join our work to grow these numbers and show that you value and support our programs to recognize and honor these courageous individuals.  CLICK HERE to donate by credit card, check, or PayPal.

 

PEACE PRIZE
 

 

The US Peace Memorial Foundation awarded its 2014 Peace Prize to CODEPINK Women for Peace ÒIn Recognition of Inspirational Antiwar Leadership and Creative Grassroots Activism.Ó  The plaque was accepted by co-founders Medea Benjamin and Jodie Evans, to overwhelming applause from an audience of about 100 people.  I thanked CODEPINK for the great courage its members have shown and for the sacrifices they have made for peace noting: ÒCODEPINK is the most innovative, effective, and visible antiwar presence in the United States.  Its approaches to peace and opposition to war are contemporary and receive more media and government attention than any other peace group.  CODEPINK has shown what volunteers can do with limited resources.  Their service is an inspiration to the world.Ó  See photos and other details at: http://www.uspeacememorial.org/PEACEPRIZE.htm.


CODEPINK is the first organization to be recognized in this way by the Foundation.  Previous Peace Prize recipients are Chelsea Manning, Medea Benjamin, Noam Chomsky, Dennis Kucinich, and Cindy Sheehan.  Nominees considered in 2014 include American Friends Service Committee, Garry Davis, Psychologists for Social Responsibility, the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center, and David Swanson.  You can read about the antiwar/peace activities of all recipients and nominees in our publication, the
US Peace Registry.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA / INTERNET/ ONLINE STORE

 

During the year, many of you have created a link to USPeaceMemorial.org on your website or blog.  We hope that this trend will continue.  Please use the logo with a link to our homepage.

 

ÒLikeÓ us at facebook.com/USPeace.  Follow us on Twitter @USPeaceMemorial.

 

Visit our online store at cafepress.com/USPeaceMemorial to see US Peace Memorial T-Shirts, jackets, & other gifts for men, women, children, babies, and even pets.

 

If you make Amazon purchases, please support the US Peace Memorial Foundation by shopping at http://smile.amazon.com/ch/20-3915218.  The AmazonSmile Foundation donates ½ of a percent of the purchase price every time you shop at smile.amazon.com.  ItÕs the same Amazon login info, same products, same prices, and same service.  These donations in 2014 totaled $161.  If Amazon customers remember to use our link, this amount could increase significantly in future years.  Please tell your friends and family about this way of supporting us.

 

LIMITED PUBLIC EXPOSURE

 

Unfortunately, we don't yet have the capacity to deal with public inquiries.  Before making a nationwide announcement of its mission, the US Peace Memorial Foundation must build a substantial grassroots organization and infrastructure that can respond to the expected interest.  We hope to avoid national media attention until the following criteria are met: Founding Members from all 50 states, 1000 Founding Members, 1000 listings in the Peace Registry, and at least one million dollars in donations (see MEASURED PROGRESS section below).

 

So, for now, we maintain a low-profile approach, speaking primarily to the ÒchoirÓ; hoping that the idea will resonate with many and that they will enlist their friends and family.  As part of this process, we have given talks to several supportive groups, had limited TV and radio exposure including interviews on TBCN and GCN, and some news coverage, 01/29/2014, 03/26/2014, 08/09/2014, and 11/06/14.

 

Mikell Herrick, Founding Member, and her husband Alan represented the Foundation at a community fair held in St Petersburg, FL.  We talked to many interested people and added to our growing list of supporters.

 

Consider volunteering to represent us at appropriate ÒcountercultureÓ events.  If you belong to an organization that might be interested, please suggest that they invite us to speak.  Previous talks have been at churches, veterans groups, associations, universities, and conferences.

 

 

MEASURED PROGRESS

 

Early on we set four benchmarks to achieve before going public with a national campaign to build the US Peace Memorial in Washington, DC.  This chart shows how we are doing and where we need your help before distribution of our initial press release.

 

 

40 States Represented - 80% of our goal

We have achieved 80% of our goal to have Founding Members from every state.  With 40 states (plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the USVI) we still need our first Founding Members from Arkansas, Delaware, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, and West Virginia.

The five leading states in terms of membership are Florida (100), Minnesota (21), California (15), Massachusetts (12) and New York (10).  Help us increase the number of supporters in your state.

 

267 Founding Members - 27% of our goal

We are at 27% of our goal to announce 1000 members in our initial press release.  Founding Members are donors of $100 or more.  Go to USPeaceMemorial.org/Donors.htm to see who these visionary leaders are.  Please join them, or make your 2015 contribution today.  A donation in any amount will be greatly appreciated.  Anonymous donations are accepted.

 

We must have 733 more Founding Members from throughout the country.  Thousands of peace activists have joined this listserve, yet only 267 of you have become Founding Members.  Our membership at the end of the year includes 245 individuals and 22 organizations or businesses.

If you already are a Founding Member, please make your annual tax deductible donation today.  Founding Members are listed on our website, in our publication the US Peace Registry, and eventually at the National Monument we will build in Washington, DC.

 

154 REGISTRANTS - 15% of our goal

I can't think of a better way to end the current U.S. wars than to have more Americans speak out against them.  There are a lot of ways to make your voice heard.  The US Peace Registry documents and honors what many of you have done.  Our publication currently documents the work of 111 individuals and 43 organizations that are role models for a broad range of peace and antiwar activities.  That means we have achieved 15% of our goal.

We are looking for Americans whose antiwar behavior, example, or success can be emulated by others.  If you have done anything to oppose U.S. war, please submit your own bio: Individual or Organization.  To see ideas of what is possible read some of the listings at www.uspeacememorial.org/Registry.htm

 

DONATIONS - 7% of our goal

We have received $74,534 towards the $1 million benchmark we must reach before making a public announcement of our plans to build the US Peace Memorial as a national monument.  Please look carefully at your own situation.  If you are in a position to make a charitable contribution, consider the importance of moving toward a culture of peace in the U.S.

 

TO DONATE BY CHECK: mail your contribution to:

US Peace Memorial Foundation

334 East Lake Road   Unit 136

Palm Harbor, FL 34685-2427

 

TO DONATE BY CREDIT CARD: www.uspeacememorial.org/Donate.htm or scroll down to the ÒDonateÓ button on our homepage www.uspeacememorial.org.

 

Contributions since our capital campaign began have ranged from $10 to over $10,000.  If you become a Founding Member or make an additional donation, you will be recognized at the level of your total contributions to date.

 

JOIN US

 

We are building the US Peace Memorial one person at a time.  Our Founding Members are the bricks and mortar that will make the monument -- and the cultural shift in the way our nation views those working for peace.  Join us.  We need you!  If you havenÕt become a Founding Member, please do so today.  If you have, please make your 2015 contribution now.  All donations are tax-deductible and cumulative.
  PLEASE DO WHAT YOU CAN to allow us to continue this important work.  Can you donate $10, $100, or $1,000 today?  Click here to donate - http://www.uspeacememorial.org/Donate.htm.

 

When you reply with a contribution, you will be showing that you value and support our programs to recognize courageous Americans.  The need to honor those who stand for peace, and to change our culture, is greater than ever.  Please join us, and share what you have done for peace.

 

Can you volunteer?  Will you send us your US Peace Registry bio?  Your help is needed to realize our vision of moving toward a culture of peace.  Let me know if you would like me to call you to discuss any aspect of the Foundation's work and/or how you might like to participate.  I may be reached at Knox@USPeaceMemorial.org or (202) 455-8776.  Thank you very much for your support.

 

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Michael Knox, Ph.D.

Chairman

 

US Peace Memorial Foundation, Inc. is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charity.

Donations to the Foundation are tax deductible to the extent provided by U.S. law.

 

Florida registration #: CH20094.  A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE.  REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

 

Copyright 2014-2015, US Peace Memorial Foundation, Inc.