In their recent statement concerning Nov. 11, celebrated as Veterans Day and current U.S war policy, the group urges its members – this Armistice Day – to take a stand for peace, and the ask friends and allies to join them.

“Right now the world faces a critical moment,” Michael McPhearson, National Executive Director of Veterans For Peace commented. “We all thought global tensions had subsided when the so called Cold War ended. But today, we see new tension around the world. Russia and the U.S. confront each other through proxies in the Ukraine and possible direct engagement in Syria. There are too many hotspots to mention. We must act for peace on Nov. 11 rather than war. The world needs it now!”

Many U.S citizens are unaware of the original meaning behind Armistice Day. After World War II, the U.S. Congress decided to re-brand Nov. 11 as Veterans Day. But honoring the warrior quickly morphed into honoring the military and glorifying war. 

McPhearson continued, “The militarization, use of violence, and war-making around the world has become the standard for U.S foreign policy. The latest examples are President Obama’s announcements that the U.S. forces will stay longer in Afghanistan and a deployment to Syria. Veterans For Peace calls on world leaders to end reckless military interventions that endanger the entire world. We don’t want or need another world war.”

This Armistice Day, Veterans For Peace calls on the U.S. public to say no to more war and to demand justice and peace, at home and abroad. We call for the end to racist policies, and for equality for all people. 

Veterans For Peace is a 30-year-old national organization of men and women of all eras and duty stations, including World War II, the Korean, Vietnam, Gulf, Iraq, and Afghanistan wars, as well as other conflicts.