Dear Founding Members and Friends,

The U.S. war culture continues unabated. In 2025, the U.S. bombed at least seven countries: Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Somalia, Nigeria, and Venezuela, while funding genocide against Palestinians and distributing weapons of war worldwide. Congress passed the largest war budget in U.S. history, allocating over $900 billion to the military for fiscal year 2026.

Our soldiers and sailors continue to kill, maim, and make refugees of innocent people in Africa, the Middle East, and South America - people with meager resources who have never attacked our country. As 2026 begins, the president has asked for more war money and threatened additional countries and an entire hemisphere. Our illegal acts of aggression endanger millions of lives and threaten world war. Because of the forces that reinforce and maintain the adulation of “fighting men and women,” few Americans seem to care that they are murdering the citizens of other countries.

Ending the U.S. war culture begins by recognizing and appreciating those who bravely speak out against it. The US Peace Memorial Foundation is the only organization exclusively dedicated to celebrating antiwar heroes - leaders and activists whose example inspires others to work to end U.S. war and militarism. We do this work by:

· Publishing the US Peace Registry, which honors and documents the antiwar activities of people and organizations.

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

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

If you are already a member, please make your 2026 contribution today. If not, please join us! For a $100 donation, you can become a Founding Member. Your name will be included at www.uspeacememorial.org/Donors.htm and, eventually, be accessible at the National Monument we will build in Washington, DC. Your contribution demonstrates a commitment to ending the U.S. war culture.

We are inspired by your support and all you do for peace.

Michael Knox, Ph.D. Chair

US Peace Memorial Foundation, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization

BRIEF REVIEW OF THE YEAR

MEASURED PROGRESS

Early on, we set benchmarks to achieve before announcing our national campaign to raise the millions of dollars needed to build the US Peace Memorial as a national monument. In the press release announcing the campaign, we want to note that we have 1,000 Founding Members representing all 50 states, and that we have honored 1,000 people and organizations who are working to end war.

This chart shows how we are doing and where we need your help to move forward.

46 States Represented - 92% of our goal.

The Foundation has achieved 92 percent of its goal of having Founding Members from every state. We now have Founding Members from forty-six states (plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). The five leading states in terms of membership are Florida (141), Minnesota (46), California (44), New York (21), and Massachusetts (20). Help us increase the number of supporters in your state and add our first Founding Members from Delaware, Mississippi, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

514 Founding Members – 51% of our goal.

We have reached 51 percent of our goal of 1,000 Founding Members. We must have another 486 Founding Members from throughout the country. Our Founding Member list includes 467 people and 47 organizations/businesses, 13 of which are faith-based. If you are one of the over 5,000 people on our email list who have not yet joined, please take action today – become a Founding Member. By supporting the Foundation, you will help move the U.S. toward a culture of peace.

The US Peace Memorial Foundation recognizes the generous contributions of its 500 Founding Members, categorized into six tiers based on donation levels. Annual donations in 2025 ranged from $20 to $5400. Contributions are cumulative, so Founding Members are recognized at higher donor levels as they continue their philanthropic support. These tiers reflect the commitment of individuals and organizations to support our mission:

· $10,000 and above: 4 members

· $5,000 to $9,999: 7 members

· $2,500 to $4,999: 4 members

· $1,000 to $2,499: 21 members

· $500 to $999: 53 members

· $100 to $499: 425 members

See who the 514 Founding Members are at www.uspeacememorial.org/Donors.htm.

300 Registrants - 30% of our goal.

The US Peace Registry documents and honors Americans' antiwar efforts. Anyone who has publicly opposed war can submit a description of their activities and apply for consideration. What better way to end current U.S. wars than to have more people speak out against them? There are many ways to make your voice heard. We recognize and honor the work of 216 people and 84 organizations that are role models for a broad range of peace and antiwar activities.

US PEACE PRIZE

For 17 years, the US Peace Prize has recognized and honored the most outstanding and prominent American antiwar leaders. We celebrate these extraordinary role models to inspire other Americans to speak out against war and work for peace.

The 2025 US Peace Prize has been awarded to the honorable Gerry Condon “For Courageous Resistance to War, Long-term Leadership of Veterans For Peace and Opposition to Nuclear Weapons.”

Michael Knox, Chair and Founder of the Foundation, recounted examples of Mr. Condon's peace activism since 1968 and said, “Thank you, Gerry, for your crucial work to end U.S. war, militarism, threats of war, and nuclear weapons. The US Peace Prize is a prestigious honor that will help call attention to and reinforce your important work for peace.”

Gerry responded, “I want to thank Michael Knox and the US Peace Memorial Foundation for recognizing my work for a peaceful U.S. foreign policy free from intervention in the internal affairs of other nations. I humbly accept this award on behalf of many wonderful activists who work for peace and solidarity with people around the globe.” See Mr. Condon's full statement and further details at: www.USPeacePrize.org.

Other US Peace Prize final nominees in 2025 were Joseph Gerson, National Priorities Project, and Timmon Wallis. You can read details of all nominees' antiwar/peace activism in the US Peace Registry.

See full details at https://www.uspeaceprize.org.

PEOPLE and ORGANIZATIONS HONORED

This year, the US Peace Registry recognized and documented the antiwar work of the following Americans and U.S. organizations.

You can read about their specific contributions and activities at www.uspeacememorial.org/Registry.htm.

BEN COHEN

FOUNDING MOTHERS MOVEMENT

JANICE (JAN) HAAKEN, PhD,

PATRICK T. HILLER, PhD

NATIONAL PRIORITIES PROJECT

ABEL N. TOMLINSON

TIMMON MILNE WALLIS, PhD,

WAR PREVENTION INITIATIVE

ARTICLES / PUBLICITY

Our Founding Member, Roger D. Harris, wrote this article for the LA Progressive comparing the Nobel Peace Prize and the US Peace Prize at www.laprogressive.com/war-and-peace/two-peace-prizes.

Pressenza published several articles about our Foundation in 2025, including this one that describes the US Peace Prize as "one of the nation’s most respected honors for antiwar leadership… recognizing Americans who have dared to confront the culture of war and militarism at the heart of U.S. policy.” See https://www.pressenza.com/2025/11/us-peace-prize-to-be-awarded-today-in-san-francisco-at-no-war-on-venezuela-rally

We were interviewed about the women the Foundation has honored for their antiwar leadership at https://www.counterpunch.org/2025/04/13/to-honor-womens-history-month-let-us-now-praise-famous-female-antiwar-activists

The US Peace Memorial Foundation was mentioned in “LGBTQ Nation” at www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/06/why-do-most-of-washington-dcs-monuments-celebrate.

ALL PEOPLES, a Unitarian Universalist Congregation, is one of 13 faith-based organizations that are Founding Members. They regularly publish articles about the Foundation in their newsletter, including this one.

Our Kentucky coordinator, Dr. Dennis Neyman, delivered this presentation at the 2025 Unitarian Universalist General Assembly.

Through the generosity of a Founding Member, and at no cost to the Foundation, we were able to help sponsor and address the conference #NoWar2025: Exploring Abolition Movements. See the video at https://worldbeyondwar.org/nowar2025/?playlist=831486c&video=688f5ff.

Founding Member, Sharon Abreu wrote and performed the US Peace Memorial Anthem “Let’s honor those who work for peace!” This is a fitting tribute to our mission and the antiwar leaders the Foundation has honored. See the video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=fc7-wx0YpDE.

The US Peace Memorial Foundation earned Candid’s (GuideStar) Platinum Seal of Transparency in 2025. Donate with confidence to support our mission to end the U.S. war culture.

NOTES OF APPRECIATION

Thank you to our Board of Directors: Medea Benjamin, Dr. Lucy Bradley-Springer, Margaret Kimberley, Jolyon Sasse, and Dr. Charles F. Clark (emeritus); editors Tracy Blalock and Beverly Lowenstein; and volunteers including Sharon Abreu, Phil Anderson, Karen Brown, Dr. Deborah D. Buffton, Sue Chen, Tom Cloud, Michael Dwyer, Dr. Martha Friedrich, James Knox, John Knox, Donald Martin, Dr. Lynette J. Menezes, Dr. Kathleen Malley-Morrison, Dr. Dennis Neyman, Thomas Nowel, Lou Pumphrey, and Cara Toadvine. Without these incredible and dedicated supporters, very little would have been accomplished. We greatly appreciate their contributions.

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.

SEARCH for ANTIWAR QUOTATIONS

Ending U.S. war culture is complex. Our approach includes featuring short, memorable antiwar statements by prominent Americans. The Foundation aims to show that opposing war is socially acceptable, encouraging more people to speak out and help end U.S. militarism. Founding Members can suggest well-referenced antiwar quotes and help decide which will be inscribed on the national monument.

Here are two quotations under consideration:

Founding Members are encouraged to help choose quotes. We seek well-referenced statements to inspire Americans to speak out against war and work for peace. As new quotations are vetted, they are posted on social media sites. We invite you to post any new quotations you may find and your comments. See www.uspeacememorial.org/Quotes.htm for more details about the quotation vetting and selection process. Let us know your favorites – and share any great quotes we may have overlooked.

SOCIAL MEDIA / INTERNET / ONLINE STORE

Like us on Facebook. Follow us on BlueSky, X, and Instagram.

Order and wear our t-shirt to show your support for the Foundation and the antiwar/pro-peace message: www.cafepress.com/shop/USPeaceMemorial.

You can also purchase other items with our logo, including buttons, yard signs, tote bags, baby shirts, and even a shirt for Fido. Please encourage your friends and everyone you meet to think about peace and join us. It’s always time to start the conversation!

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

Those of us who work for peace are pulled in many directions. Antiwar resources have been stretched thin, and consensus seems elusive as the country’s militarism maintains a dominant hold on our culture. The endless wars will stop only when the American people demand it, and the more people who speak, the louder our voices will be. We need your help, now more than ever, to make our voices heard.  

Add Your Voice to Our Cause

o Become a Founding Member to add your name to our growing list of over 500 visionary leaders and be permanently associated with the US Peace Memorial.  

o Click here to contribute using a debit or credit card.  

o Mail a check to: US Peace Memorial Foundation • 334 East Lake Road #136 • Palm Harbor, FL 34685.

We Need Your Financial Support. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law. CLICK HERE to see our 2025 Financial Report.

· Already a Founding Member? Please make your 2026 contribution.

· Move to the next donor level? Credit for your contributions is cumulative. Six donor levels are included at www.uspeacememorial.org/Donors.htm, from $100 to over $10,000. Hundreds of donors have moved to higher levels by making annual contributions.

We Need More Role Models for Peace.

· Apply to the US Peace Registry. We are looking for Americans whose antiwar behaviors, examples, and successes can be emulated by others. You don’t have to be a lifelong peace activist. We honor people who take part in a few actions, as well as those who dedicate decades to opposing war. If you have opposed U.S. wars or militarism in writing, speaking, marching, donating, or other public ways, submit your bio here: Individual Bio. (See examples: www.uspeacememorial.org/Registry.htm.)

· Submit your antiwar organization’s bio to the US Peace Registry here: Organization Bio. (See examples: www.uspeacememorial.org/Organizations.htm.)

We Need Volunteers

Please volunteer. Our volunteers are the backbone of the foundation. Even if it’s only a few hours a month, your help is greatly appreciated. As a nationwide grassroots organization with annual expenses of less than $12,500, we are especially in need of:

· Writers

· Editors

· Researchers

· Marketing Specialists

· Fundraisers

· Coordinators

Participate in any of these ways to help us inspire other Americans to oppose war and work for peace.

Keep in Touch

Join us on Facebook. Follow us on BlueSky, X, and Instagram.

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like to discuss any aspect of the Foundation’s work and/or how you might want to participate. The Chair can be reached at Knox@USPeaceMemorial.org.

US Peace Memorial Foundation, Inc. is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charity, EIN: 20-3915218.

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 2026, US Peace Memorial Foundation, Inc.