[Photo Credit:  Banksy]

Vietnam War Series

The "Winter Soldier Investigation" was a media event sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans Against the War from January 31, 1971 – February 2, 1971. It was intended to publicize war crimes and atrocities by the United States Armed Forces and their allies in the Vietnam War. The VVAW challenged the morality and conduct of the war by showing the direct relationship between military policies and war crimes in Vietnam. The three-day gathering of 109 veterans and 16 civilians took place in Detroit, Michigan. Discharged servicemen from each branch of military service, as well as civilian contractors, medical personnel and academics, all gave testimony about war crimes they had committed or witnessed during the years of 1963-1970. Here are some excerpts:

Vietnamese Village Operation

Racism Dehumanization of Vietnamese

Torture of Vietnamese

Treatment of Vietnamese Children

Howard Zinn: Panel Participant

The Vietnam Vets changed the direction of the peace movement, taking on a more militant and confrontational role, forcing a conclusion.

Winter Soldier Project – Iraq

GI Coffeehouses

General Curtis Lemay [WWII and Cold War]

"There are no innocent civilians."

“All war is immoral and if you let that bother you, you're not a good soldier."

"You've got to kill people, and when you've killed enough they stop fighting."

‘Winter Soldiers’ refers to the fall of 1776 when the British delivered a crushing blow. New York fell and the anguished retreat through New Jersey followed. Winter came with a vengeance, bringing what Thomas Paine called “the times that try men’s souls.” A small band of men held together by George Washington faced disaster and hopelessness. It is a tale of hardship and suffering that culminated in the battles of Trenton and Princeton. These were the Winter Soldiers.