Boston Veterans For Peace In Pride Parade -June 8

Smedleys & Samanthas,

Some members poo poo our participation in parades thinking they are a waste of time. Well I for one firmly disagree. Not only do parades give our chapter great exposure and help with our brand recognition but it is a opportunity to put forth our message of peace.

This Saturday we will be in the Boston Pride Parade. Not only will we be supporting our LGBT members and the LGBT community at large who so wholeheartedly supported our efforts in the Saint Pats Peace Parade, but this is an opportunity for tens if not hundreds of thousands to see our message to FREE BRADLEY MANNING.

Bradley's trial began on Monday, this is an opportunity within just a couple of hours of marching on the streets of Boston to make thousands of people aware of the plight of this heroic whistle-blower. We have two huge banners, one being brought by the Stonewall Warriors and the other on loan by Dorchester People for Peace.

Please come and participate. We have turned the corner, the recognition we get when marching in the Honk Parade and the Dorchester Day Parade are so overwhelmingly positive. The Boston Pride Parade is the largest parade in Boston and I hope you join us so we have a great showing. It would be great to see "all" our flags in the air on Saturday in solidarity with our LGBT members and friends and in support of Bradley Manning.

Other VFP Chapters can join in our contingent and we encourage other chapters to come to Boston on Saturday with your chapter banners.

Thanks, hope to see you on Saturday, see information below

Pat

PS - The weather looks great for the parade!!!

Smedleys & Samanthas

Please join us for the Boston Pride Parade.

This is the biggest parade in Boston, let's have a great showing.

If you are free please come and join us. Several of our members (Smedleys) are also part of the LGBT community. Please come and stand with your gay, lesbian and transgendered VFP members.

We should be proud that VFP is an open and welcoming veterans organization. Hopefully we will have a great showing to show everyone we support our LGBT members and friends.

The LGBT community supported our Saint Pats Peace Parade in a big way.

Lets show them our support for the LGBT community.

Stonewall Warriors will be marching with us. This is a group of LGBT veterans.

They have a huge banner supporting Bradley Manning

For the first time the VA is actively encouraging veterans and staff from the VA hospitals to walk in the Pride Parade. We have met with the person from the VA who is coordinating the VA participation. We have both asked the parade organizers to place us adjacent to each other.

This is the last "BIG" thing we will do for a while, please join us.

Assemble location: We will assemble on the corner of Boyleston and Exeter streets. That is one block away from the Copley T Station.

Day: Saturday, June 8 (Rain or Shine)

Time: We will gather between 10:30 and 11:00 am, look for the flags

Parade steps off at 12:00 noon, rain or shine - lets hope for good weather

Rides: If you are unable to walk the distance and need a ride please let me know asap. We will order one or two convertibles for our members who need assistance.

Please bring your flags and VFP clothing and hats.

Hope to see you on Saturday.

Pat