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US Peace Memorial Foundation, Inc.

www.USPeaceMemorial.orginfo@USPeaceMemorial.org

www.facebook.com/USPeace @USPeaceMemorial

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

 

 

ANNUAL REPORT 2018

 

This year marked the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day - the end of WWI and the celebration of peace as a universal principle.  We should think about how the U.S. has failed to heed the call for an end to all wars, having invaded well over 25 countries since the end of WWII.

 

Brown University’s Dr. Neta C. Crawford released a study in 2018 reporting that "between 480,000 and 507,000 people have been killed in our post-9/11 wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan."  Of these, 244,124 to 266,427 were civilians.  The paper, "Human Cost of the Post-9/11 Wars: Lethality and the Need for Transparency,” concludes that “This update just scratches the surface of the human consequences of 17 years of war.”  Her figures do not include the deaths from continuing U.S. wars in Somalia, Libya, Yemen, Syria, and Niger.  We are responsible for killing, wounding, and making refugees of innocent civilians, contributing to the worst humanitarian crises the world has seen since 1945.

 

Now is the time to put passion, concern for others, time, and money toward ending the U.S. war culture.  When I was growing up in the 1960s, very few people could imagine that we would see significant, measurable changes regarding a variety of civil rights issues including race, gender, and LGBTQ.  If we can make progress in those areas, we can certainly move toward a culture of peace.  It’s a matter of educating young people, developing role models, reinforcing antiwar behavior, and demanding an end to the oppression of U.S. war.  Americans should not tolerate our nation starting wars or interfering to destabilize the governments of other countries.

 

The need to change our war culture by honoring those who stand for peace is greater than ever.  We believe that documenting and honoring the work of antiwar activists will cause an evolutionary shift in our culture and motivate more Americans to speak out for peace.  By advancing the recognition of heroic peacemakers - by celebrating their actions and accomplishments and normalizing their roles in society - we can challenge the social barriers that citizens face when they wish to publicly express antiwar sentiments.

 

We do this by:

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

• Awarding the annual US 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, DC.

 

Work with us to honor Americans who stand for peace and help end the U.S. war culture.  When you reply with a contribution, you are showing that you value and support our programs to recognize courageous Americans.  You also demonstrate your commitment to building the US Peace Memorial.  Make a $100 (or more) donation and your name will be included on our website (www.uspeacememorial.org/Donors.htm), in our forthcoming book, and eventually at the National Monument we will build in Washington, DC.

 

YES, I want to become a Founding Member by donating $100 or more.

 

BRIEF REVIEW OF THE YEAR

 

2018 US Peace Prize

 

The US Peace Memorial Foundation awarded the 2018 US Peace Prize to The Honorable David Swanson for his “inspiring antiwar leadership, writings, strategies, and organizations that help to create a culture of peace.”

 

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Michael Knox, Chair of the Foundation, presented the award on August 26 at the Veterans For Peace National Convention in St. Paul, MN.  In his remarks, Knox said, “Thank you, David, for dedicating your life to ending wars. You are one of the most prolific writers, speakers, activists, and ../../../../../Pictures/Icloud%20photos.photoslibrary/resources/proxies/derivatives/42/00/42ad/pik+wkHOTwaY7NsFgaF6LQ_thumb_42ad.jorganizers for peace.  The breadth of your work is staggering.  You have enlightened us with books that are in the forefront of modern antiwar thought; and with speeches, debates, conferences, blogs, billboards, radio shows, online courses, videos, websites, and more innovative ideas than we can name.  We want you to know that your efforts are greatly appreciated, here and around the world.”

 

Upon learning of the award, David said, “This wonderful honor is definitely having the impact on me that I imagine is intended, namely it is inspiring me to keep at it and work harder to advance the abolition of war and the development of peaceful behaviors and institutions.  Thank you for the pat on the back but also for the kick in the rear.  We have a long way yet to go.”

 

In addition to receiving the 2018 US Peace Prize, our highest honor, Swanson has been designated a Founding Member of the US Peace Memorial Foundation.  He joins previous US Peace Prize recipients Ann Wright, Veterans For Peace, Kathy Kelly, CODEPINK Women for Peace, Chelsea Manning, Medea Benjamin, Noam Chomsky, Dennis Kucinich, and Cindy Sheehan.  Other distinguished Americans who were nominated and considered for the 2018 award included Daniel EllsbergNancy ManciasColman McCarthySharon TennisonSally-Alice Thompson, and S. Brian Willson.  You can read about the antiwar/peace activities of the recipient and all nominees in our publication, the US Peace Registry.

 

See photos and full details at: www.uspeacememorial.org/PEACEPRIZE.htm.  News of the 2018 Peace Prize even made it to Europe – International Press Agency.

 

Honored

 

The US Peace Registry, a publication of the US Peace Memorial Foundation, honors Americans who stand for peace.  It recognizes and documents the antiwar actions 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), and advocated 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 2018, ten distinguished Americans honored by the Foundation for peace leadership were included among the 100 living peace and justice activists listed in TRANSCEND Media Service.  They are: Medea Benjamin, William Blum, Helen Caldicott, Noam Chomsky, Daniel Ellsberg, Kathy Kelly, Chelsea Manning, Marc Pilisuk, Cindy Sheehan, and David Swanson.  Check out the article and the entire list here: In Pursuit of Peace and Justice: 100 Peace & Justice Leaders and Models.”

 

This year 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. Ajamu Baraka

William Blum

Dr. Duane L. Cady

Cynthia Lazaroff

Josie Lenwell

Jonny Lewis

Nancy Mancias

Michael T. McPhearson
Dr. Thomas W. Morgan

Peggy Seeger
Sharon Tennison
Sally-Alice Thompson


Organizations honored:
Black Alliance for Peace

Center for Citizen Initiatives
Global Security Institute

NuclearWakeUpCall.Earth

 

Public Speaking


In April we were honored to speak to the Unitarian Universalist United Fellowship - St. Petersburg, FL about "Changing our Culture by Honoring Americans Who Work to End War."  Nine churches have become a Founding Member including First United Church of Tampa, Florida; Peace United Church of Christ, Minnesota; Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater; 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.

 

This year we presented "Ending Our War Culture By Honoring Peacemakers" at the Society for the Study of Peace and Conflict, American Psychological Association Convention, in San Francisco and were interviewed on Talk Nation Radio.  Hear the conversation at “Michael Knox on the US Peace Memorial Foundation.”

 

If you belong to a church or other antiwar 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.  Here are a couple of quotations under consideration:

 

“No, I am not going 10,000 miles to help murder kill and burn other people to simply help continue the domination of

white slavemasters over dark people ...”

Muhammad Ali (1942-2016).

Taylor, Clyde. Vietnam and Black America: An Anthology of Protest and Resistance. Garden City, N.Y: Anchor Press, 1973.

 

It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968).

King, Martin Luther, Jr.  “Acceptance Speech, Nobel Prize for Peace 1964.” Nobel Lectures Including Presentation Speeches and Laureates' Biographies Peace. Vol. 3. Ed. Frederick W. Haberman, Amsterdam: Elsevier Publishing, 1972.

 

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: Roxane Assaf-Lynn, Tracy Blalock, Beverly Lowenstein; editing assistance provided by: Claire Bates, Sondra G. Cadman, Dr. Martha Friedrich, Barbara Gerten, Mikell T. Herrick, Dr. Lynette J. Menezes, Gar Smith, and Crystal Zevon; Coordinators: Dr. Dennis Neyman, and John Clark Pegg; Bookkeeper: Donald Martin; and other volunteers: Sue Chen, Dr. David Chiriboga, Sharon Leban, Melanie Ross-Acuna, Rebecca Russell.  Photography was provided by Mike Hastie, Dick Bernard, Ellen Davidson, and Dan Shea.  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 2018 donors.  They are:

 

AmazonSmile Foundation

Philip Anderson, WI

Dr. Jeffrey A. Beal, FL

Medea Benjamin, DC

Dr. James R. (Dick) Bennett, AR

Richard Bernard, MN

Dr. Lucy Bradley-Springer, CO

Dr. Laurence G. Branch, FL

Deborah Brinkley, VA

Fred Bryant, IO

Sondra G. Cadman, FL

Dr. Duane L. Cady, MN

Dr. Axel Frank Campbell, CA

Joseph M. Centorino, FL

Sue Chen, FL

Dr. Tiffany Chenneville, FL

Dr. David A. Chiriboga, FL

Richard Chiriboga, MA

Dr. Hewitt B. Clark, FL

Stephen D. Clemens, MN

CODEPINK Women for Peace, CA

Ludmilla Coven, IL

David Michael Enterprises, NV

Monier Deeb

Barbara Fite, FL

Cindy Frank, MD

Dr. Linda Rose Frank, PA

Edee Gail, CO

Dr. Donna M. Gallagher, MA

Marilyn Gallant, MA

Stephen M. Gammon, FL

Barbara Gerten, MN

Katherine A. Gildemeister, MD

Dr. William W. Habedank, MN

Nancy W. Harmon, NM

Charles H. Harshbarger, FL

Jessie Coven Herman, GA

Fletcher W. Hinds, Jr., MN

Alison Hurley, AZ

James Hurley, AZ

Ali Ismail, FL

Gene Jones, FL

Marina Kalinskya, MD

Linda Musmeci Kimball, OH

Marilyn Kimmerling, WA

Dr. Russell S. Kirby, FL

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

Aaron Lazovik

Josie Lenwell, NM

Jonny Lewis, MI

Dr. Alice LoCicero, CA

Beverly Lowenstein, MD

Dr. Anthony J. Marsella, GA

Brenda Marsella, FL

Donald W. Martin, MI

Michael T. McPhearson, MO

Dr. Lynette Menezes, FL

Dr. Theodore Micceri, FL

Joan Mihalich

Dr. Victor A. Molinari, FL

Dr. Thomas W. Morgan, MN

Network for Good, DC

Dr. Dennis Neyman, KY

Tim Oconnor, NE

Diana Oestreich, MN

Joseph F. Palen, MN

Barbara Palermo, OH

Charlotte M. Paugh, OH

Peace United Church of Christ, MN

John Clark Pegg, MN

Amanda Phillips, MI

Dr. Marc Pilisuk, CA

Dale Pondysh

John M. Porter, WA

James H. Raphael, MI

Dr. Kathleen M. Rehl, FL

Dr. E. Michael Reyes, CA

Dr. Ona Riggin, FL

Alice Rodgers, NM

Chaia Ross, NM

Karl Ross, FL

Melanie Ross-Acuna, CO

Dr. Floyd W. Rudmin, Ontario, Canada

Nancy Saeger, ND

Ronald Saeger, ND

Jolyon Sasse, FL

Dr. Jack Sawyer, CA

Barbara Schechtman, IL

Dr. David L. Shern, FL

Fredric D. Sirasky, FL

Helen Slater, VA

Gar Smith, CA

Dr. Charurut Somboonwit, FL

Sally-Alice Thompson, NM

Brian J. Trautman, NY

Meredith Tupper, VA

Sally J. Van Slambrouck, MI

Veterans for Peace, Chap. 80 (Duluth/Superior), MN

Jian Wang, FL

Lisbeth West

Dr. Ronald Wilcox, LA

George Wilhelm, WA

Prof. Marian A. Williams, DC

Charles Withuhn, CA

Dr. Barbara Yee, HI

Stephen G. Yovino, FL

Crystal Zevon, VT

 

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.

 

 

42 States Represented - 84% of our goal

 

We have achieved 84% of our goal to have Founding Members from every state.  With the addition of New Mexico and North Dakota in 2018, we now have 42 states (plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the USVI).  Help us to add Founding Members from the remaining eight states: Arkansas, Delaware, Mississippi, Nebraska, South Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and West Virginia.

 

The 5 leading states in terms of membership are Florida (118), Minnesota (33), California (24), Massachusetts (13), and New York (12).  Help us increase the number of supporters in your state.

 

352 Founding Members - 35% of our goal

We are at 35% of our goal to announce 1,000 Founding Members in our initial press release.  We must have 648 more Founding Members from throughout the country.  Currently, our Founding Members list includes 314 individuals and 38 organizations/businesses, 11 of which are religious organizations.

 

Thousands of people have joined our email list, yet only 352 of you have become Founding Members.  You don't have to be an activist to be a Founding Member - you just have to care about peace.  Join us in our nationwide effort to 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.

 

227 Registrants - 23% 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 159 individuals and 68 organizations that are role models for a broad range of peace and antiwar activities.  

 
Donations - 12% of our goal

We have received $119,341 towards the one million dollar 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.

 

../../../../../Pictures/Photos%20Library.photoslibrary/resources/proxies/derivatives/0d/00/ddf/dSBojQ7lQ7Se0c9wkiR5ug_thumb_ddf.jIf you would like one of these t-shirts to show your support for the Foundation and for our antiwar/pro-peace message, here is 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 over $700.  Please tell your family and friends about this easy way of supporting us.

 

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

 

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.

 

We Need Your Financial Support (All donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law).  CLICK HERE to see our 2018 Financial Report.

 

·      Become a Founding Member.  Add your name to our list of more than 350 visionary leaders, and be permanently associated with the US Peace Memorial.  Click here to contribute by debit or credit cardClick here to donate by 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 2019 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.

·      Show that you care about changing our culture of war to a culture of peace.  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 yourself to the US Peace RegistryWe are looking for Americans whose antiwar behaviors, examples, or successes can be emulated by others.  If you have opposed U.S. wars in writing, speaking, advocating, marching, or in other ways, please submit your bio here Individual.  To see examples, read some of the listings at www.uspeacememorial.org/Registry.htm.

·      Add your organization to the US Peace RegistryPlease submit your organization's antiwar activities here 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, South Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and West Virginia.

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

 

We Need Volunteers

Can you volunteer?  Even if you have only a few hours a month 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. 

Description: Knox-Signature-Vector-Art

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 2019, US Peace Memorial Foundation, Inc.