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 2017

In 2017 Brown University released a study estimating that the United States budgetary costs of post-9/11 wars will reach $5.6 trillion by the end of the fiscal year 2018.  U.S. wars continue in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, Syria, and Niger.  We are killing, wounding, and making refugees of innocent civilians, contributing to the worst humanitarian crises the world has seen since 1945.  Many of the victims are children. The President also threatened violence in Korea and Venezuela and has requested additional military funding with both Democrat and Republican leadership support. Even if you are not appalled by our outrageous acts of aggression since 9/11, you should be concerned about the tremendous drain on American resources and our skyrocketing national debt.

Work with us to end the war culture that uses your taxes for death and destruction rather than the betterment of our nation and the world. The US Peace Memorial Foundation honors Americans who stand for peace as a way to increase the number of voices that speak out against war.  If we are going to stop the killing, we must create a culture of peace where more of us feel comfortable demanding peaceful alternatives to war. By recognizing, documenting, and commending antiwar actions, we will reinforce this behavior, create role models, and inspire more Americans to speak out for peace.

We do this by:

• Publishing the US Peace Registry to document the antiwar and peace activities of individuals and organizations.

• Awarding an annual Peace Prize to an individual or organization that has made an exceptional effort to stop wars and to work for peace.

• Raising funds to build the US Peace Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Those of us who work for peace are pulled in many directions.  Antiwar resources have been stretched thin, and peace seems elusive as our country's militarism maintains a fixed hold on our culture.  The endless wars will stop only when the American people demand it, and the more people who demand it, the louder our voices will be. At this critical moment in history, we need your support, now more than ever, to make our voices heard.  

Please help us to honor those who stand for peace by adding your voice to our cause.

· Become a Founding Member

· Add yourself and/or your organization to the US Peace Registry.

· Do both.

Your work will encourage more Americans to feel comfortable confronting our government, just like they did to help end the wars in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. By celebrating many diverse role models, we can inspire other Americans to speak out against war and to work for peace.

BRIEF REVIEW OF THE YEAR

The 2017 Peace Prize

The US Peace Memorial Foundation awarded its 2017 Peace Prize to The Honorable Ann Wright “for courageous antiwar activism, inspirational peace leadership, and selfless citizen diplomacy.”

We presented the award on August 12 at the Veterans For Peace (VFP) national convention banquet, held at the Palmer House Hotel, Chicago.  Nearly 400 VFP members were in attendance. In his remarks, Knox said, “Thank you, Ann, for your bravery, leadership, and tireless work to end war. Your efforts are greatly appreciated here and around the world.”

Upon learning of the award, Ann Wright said, “I am deeply honored to be the recipient of the US Peace Memorial 2017 Peace Prize.  I accept it on behalf of everyone who works for peace everyday, in their home communities and nationally and internationally.”

In addition to receiving the Peace Prize, which is our highest honor, Ann Wright was designated a Founding Member of the US Peace Memorial Foundation. Other distinguished Americans and nationally prominent U.S. organizations that were nominated and considered for the 2017 award included Erica Chenoweth, Garry Davis, Lynn Elling, Keith Ellison, Joseph Gerson, Edward (Ted) Lollis, Jim McDermott, Maria J. Stephan, David Swanson, and S. Brian Willson. See Peace Prize details at www.uspeacememorial.org/PEACEPRIZE.htm.

Honored

The US Peace Registry, a publication of the US Peace Memorial Foundation, honors Americans who stand for peace.  It recognizes and documents the activities of U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and organizations that have publicly opposed military solutions (including invasion, occupation, production of weapons of mass destruction, use of weapons, and threats of war), rather than diplomacy and global cooperation, to solve international problems.  It is hoped that honoring these courageous role models and leaders will inspire new generations of Americans to speak out for peace and to work to end the hatred, ignorance, greed, and intolerance that lead to war.

In 2017 the US Peace Registry recognized the following individuals and organizations for their peace and antiwar work. You can read about their specific contributions and activities at www.uspeacememorial.org/Registry.htm.

New additions to the US Peace Registry

Individuals honored:
Dr. Jim Bearden
Phyllis Bennis 

Roy Bourgeois
Dr. Paul Buhle
Dr. Erica Chenoweth
Dr. Joseph Gerson
Dr. Thomas C. Greening
Dr. Barbara A. Kidney

Dr. Marc Pilisuk
Jan Provost
Jessica Reynolds (Shaver) Renshaw
Dr. Maria J. Stephan
John VanDyke Wilmerding

Organizations honored:
Fellowship of Reconciliation
International Peace Bureau
National Network Opposing the Militarization of Youth
Vietnam Peace Commemoration Committee
War Prevention Initiative
Witness Against Torture

Public Speaking

This year Cindy Sheehan, 2009 Peace Prize recipient, interviewed us on Soapbox. Click here to listen to the program:

In June, we were honored to speak about our vision for the US Peace Memorial before members of the Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater. The church passed the collection plate and became the ninth church to become a Founding Member, joining First United Church of Tampa, Florida; Peace United Church of Christ, Minnesota; Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church, Kentucky (listed at the $1000-$2499 donor level); Trinity Episcopal Church, Ohio; First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa, Florida; Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver, Washington; and Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, Georgia.

If you belong to a church or other group that might appreciate and support our mission, please suggest that they invite us to speak on the topic: "Changing Our War Culture By Honoring Those Who Stand For Peace."

Search for Antiwar Quotations

Our Founding Members are helping to choose the best antiwar and pro-peace statements made by well-known Americans. Eventually, the selected quotes will be chiseled on the US Peace Memorial we are planning to build in Washington, D.C.

Participate in the process!  We are looking for statements to inspire Americans to speak out against war and to work for peace. As new quotations are referenced, they are posted on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USPeace and on Twitter: @USPeaceMemorial.  We invite our Founding Members to add their comments on these social media sites. See www.uspeacememorial.org/Quotes.htm for more details about the quotation selection process. Let us know which ones are your favorites – and share with us any great quotes we may have overlooked.

NOTES OF APPRECIATION__

Thank you to our Directors: Dr. Lucy Bradley-Springer, Dr. Charles F. Clark, and Jolyon Sasse; Assistant Editors: Sondra G. Cadman, Susanne Carter, Dr. Martha Friedrich, Barbara Gerten, Mikell T. Herrick, Beverly Lowenstein, Dr. Lynette J. Menezes; Coordinators: Dick Bernard, Dr. Dennis Neyman, and John Clark Pegg; Bookkeeper: Donald Martin; and other volunteers: Sue Chen, Dr. David Chiriboga, Sharon Leban, Dr. Kathleen Malley-Morrison, Brian J. Trautman, and George F. Wilhelm. Without these incredible and dedicated supporters, very little would have been accomplished during the year.  We greatly appreciate their contributions.

Our volunteers are the backbone of the foundation. As a nationwide grassroots organization with annual expenses of less than $10,000, we are heavily dependent on them.  We are especially in need of assistant editors, researchers, marketing specialists, fundraisers, and coordinators.  If you have the skills for one of these jobs and can donate four or more hours a month, we could certainly use your help.  Please see www.uspeacememorial.org/Volunteer.htm for more details.

Thank you to all of our new Founding Members and other 2017 donors.  They are:

Bashir G. Ahmed, OH

Amazon Smile Foundation

Dr. Maxine Amundson, CA

Philip Anderson, WI

Anonymous Donor, Costa Rica

Jill W. Baker Artist's Studio, KY

Dr. Jim Bearden, CA

Dr. Lucy Bradley-Springer, CO

Sondra G. Cadman, FL

Dr. Duane L. Cady, MN

Cafepress Inc., KY

Susanne Carter, FL

Sue Chen, FL

Dr. Tiffany Chenneville, FL

Dr. David A. Chiriboga, FL

Richard Chiriboga, MA

Dr. Colleen Clark, FL

Stephen D. Clemens, MN

Hans Faulstich , FL

Barbara Fite, FL

Dr. Sondra J. Fogel, FL

Dr. Linda Rose Frank, PA

Dr. Martha Friedrich, CO

Dr. Donna M. Gallagher, MA

Marilyn Gallant, MA

Dr. Joseph Gerson, MA

Barbara Gerten, MN

Grandmothers for Peace, Northland Chapter, WI

Dr. Thomas C. Greening, CA

Dr. Michael Haas, CA

Dr. Nuzhat Haneef, MD

Fletcher W. Hinds Jr., MN

International Peace Bureau, Switzerland

Joycelyn A. Johnson, MN

Robert K. Johnson, MN

Linda Musmeci Kimball, OH

Chris A. Knox , OH

James R. S. Knox, FL

John M. P. Knox, TX

Dr. Michael D. Knox, FL

Dr. Jeffrey D. Kromrey, FL

Stephen D. Landers, NC

Robin Lloyd, VT

Dr. Alice LoCicero, CA

Beverly Lowenstein, MD

Dr. Kathleen Malley-Morrison, MA

Donald W. Martin, MI

Pamela McGlinchey, FL

Dr. Lynette Menezes, FL

David Michael Enterprises, NV

Dr. Victor A. Molinari, FL

James F. Murphy, MA

Dr. Dennis Neyman, KY

Peace United Church of Christ, MN

John Clark Pegg, MN

Lyn Clark Pegg, MN

John M. Porter, MI

Jan Provost, WI

Barbara A. Riordan, FL

Anita C. Rogers, MA

Joseph D. Rudmin, VA

Jolyon Sasse, FL

Barbara Sinnott, FL

Dr. John T. Sinnott, FL

Charlene Komar Storey, NJ

David Swanson, VA

James T. Sykes, WI

Brian J. Trautman, NY

Meredith Tupper, VA

Dr. Arthur Ulene, CA

Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater, FL

Dr. Peter van den Dungen, United Kingdom

Sally J. Van Slambrouck, MI

Dr. Barbara Yee, HI

Stephen G. Yovino, FL

Although we have never sought international support, our Foundation has its first Founding Members from other countries: International Peace Bureau, Switzerland; Dr. Peter van den Dungen, United Kingdom; and an anonymous donor from Costa Rica. In explaining his decision to join us, Dr. van den Dungen stated "...the whole world would benefit from a less militaristic USA; also, a national peace monument in the USA may encourage similar campaigns in other countries.”

We need your help, too.  Without your ongoing generosity and commitment, the US Peace Memorial will never become a National Monument that can help move the United States toward a culture of peace.

MEASURED PROGRESS

Early on we set four benchmarks to achieve before going public with a national campaign to build the US Peace Memorial.  This chart shows how we are doing and where we need your help before we can distribute 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 U.S. Virgin Islands), 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.  Please help us get new Founding Members from these 10 states.

The 5 leading states in terms of membership are Florida (115), Minnesota (33), California (21), Massachusetts (13), and New York (12).  Help us increase the number of supporters in your state.

337 Founding Members - 34% of our goal

We are at 34% of our goal to announce 1,000 Founding Members in our initial press release.  We must have 663 more Founding Members from throughout the country.  Currently, our Founding Members list includes 305 individuals and 32 organizations/businesses, 9 of which are religious organizations.

Thousands of people have joined our email list, yet only 337 of you have become Founding Members. You don't have to be an activist to be a Founding Member. Join us – add your voice and your support for the goal of peace.

210 Registrants - 21% 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 recognizes the work of 146 individuals and 64 organizations that are role models for a broad range of peace and antiwar activities.  

Donations - Almost 11% of our goal

We have received $109,579 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. If you are in a position to make a charitable contribution, please consider the importance of supporting our goal to move the U.S. toward a culture of peace.

SOCIAL MEDIA / INTERNET / ONLINE STORE

“Like” us at facebook.com/USPeace and Follow us on Twitter @USPeaceMemorial.

If you would like one of these t-shirts to show your support for the Foundation and for our antiwar/pro peace message, here’s the link to order yours: www.cafepress.com/uspeacememorial.

You can also purchase other items with our logo including buttons, magnets, signs, water bottles, tote bags, and more.  You’ll be encouraging your friends and everyone you meet to think about peace and to join us.  It’s always time to get the conversation started! The mother of this child says the shirt makes a “big impression” on people when they see it on a two year old.

If you make Amazon purchases, please support the US Peace Memorial Foundation by shopping at smile.amazon.com.  The AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5 percent of the purchase price every time you shop at smile.amazon.com.  You'll get the same Amazon login info, same products, same prices, and same service.  These donations have totaled $559.  Please tell your family and friends about this easy way of supporting us.

During 2017 the blog Engaging Peace focused on us twice; http://engagingpeace.com/?p=10823 and http://engagingpeace.com/?p=10873. Many of you have linked to USPeaceMemorial.org on your website or blog.  We hope that this trend will continue.  Feel free to use the logo with a link to our homepage.

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

We Need Your Financial Support (All donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law). CLICK HERE to see our 2017 Financial Report.

· Become a Founding Member.  Add your name to our list of more than 300 visionary leaders, and be permanently associated with the US Peace Memorial.  CLICK HERE to donate by credit card or PayPal. Or mail checks to: US Peace Memorial Foundation • 334 East Lake Road  #136 • Palm Harbor, FL 34685.

· If you are already a Founding Member, please make your 2018 contribution.

· Consider moving to the next donor level.  Credit for your contributions is cumulative.

· Give whatever you can.  Donate $5, $10, or $20.  Every donation counts!

· Make your Amazon purchases at smile.amazon.com.

The need to change our war culture by honoring those who stand for peace is greater than ever. When you reply with a contribution, you are showing that you value and support our programs to recognize courageous Americans.  

We Need More Role Models for Peace

· Add your information to the US Peace Registry. 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. wars, please submit your bio: Individual. To see examples, read some of the listings at www.uspeacememorial.org/Registry.htm.

· Add your organization to the US Peace Registry. Please submit your organization's antiwar activities: Organization. To see examples, read some of the listings at www.uspeacememorial.org/Organizations.htm.

· Help us find our first Founding Members from Arkansas, Delaware, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, and West Virginia.

· Help us increase the number of supporters in your state.

We Need You to Volunteer

Can you volunteer?  Even if you have only a few hours to give, we would greatly appreciate your help.

We Need You to Keep in Touch

Join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Let me know if you would like a call to discuss any aspect of the Foundation's work and/or how you might like to participate.  I can be reached at Knox@USPeaceMemorial.org or (202) 455-8776.  Thank you very much for your support.

Thank you for supporting our efforts to create a culture of peace.

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 2018, US Peace Memorial Foundation, Inc.