Marine Cpl Hunter Lopez honored with plaque at peace pole

AMVETS Post 66 and VFP Chapter 19 of the Inland Empire celebrate the International Day of Peace in Cathedral City, California. This is the 16th time for this event hosted by AMVETS and VFP. Support the troops, bring them home.

VFP Chapter 19 AMVETS Post 66 November 11, 2020, Veteran's Day in Palm Springs as the Veterans For Peace Chapter 19 and AMVETS Post 66 of Palm Springs honor our nation's veterans with this observance. Welcome everyone! My name is Tom Swann Hernandez and I am the Founder and President of Veterans For Peace. I am also the Founder and Commander of AMVETS Post 66. I am legally blind so please be patient with me. This ceremony is being sponsored by Veterans For Peace, AMVETS Post 66 and Occupy Coachella Valley. We are very grateful for the support of Kathleen Jurasky, manager of the Palm Springs Cemetery District. You are required to wear a mask at all times and remain six feet apart. We have water bottles available for you. Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day in the United States, commemorating the signing of the agreement that ended World War I at 11:00 A.M., November 11, 1918. President Woodrow Wilson celebrated the first Armistice Day in 1919. In 1938, November 11 became a legal holiday by an act of Congress. The sacred scriptures and the teachings of several religions beckon us to be the light of the world. There is much darkness in the world right now. President John Kennedy said that instead of cursing the darkness we should lite a candle. So, let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with us. Pope Francis said recently “What is faith if we are not faithful? We have to stay faithful to peace in the face of a pandemic, economic downturn, racial injustice and polarization. Our country has suffered from bad leadership. Our people seek merciful change in the direction of our country. Mercy can be defined as love that encounters suffering and decides to take action. Let us resolve to strive to be change makers. We just held an election that we hope will usher in healing and unity. Our veterans have placed themselves in harm’s way in order to safeguard our democracy. The California LGBTQ Veterans Memorial honors the many men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the cherished freedoms we hold dear and enjoy today. The souls of our deceased war dead and veterans in purgatory and heaven will hear our prayers today for them and they will be very grateful to us for remembering their sacrifice and service to our nation. So, with this introduction we begin our program VETERANS FOR PEACE AMVETS POST 66 OCCUPY COACHELLA VALLEY VETERANS DAY and 15th Annual INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE Established by the United Nations Combined Ceremonies WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 11, 2020 11:00 – 12 Noon Desert Memorial Park 31-705 Da Vall Drive Cathedral City CA

The Unitarian Universalist Church of The Desert is sharing the plate with the Veterans For Peace chapter 19 of the Inland Empire due to an enormous need to Share The Peace. The Veterans For Peace is an international organization made up of military veterans, military family members, and allies. We are dedicated to building a culture of peace, exposing the true costs of war, and healing the wounds of war. Our networks are made up of over 140 chapters across the United States and abroad. To Share The Peace Please contribute: Unitarian Universalist Church of the Desert www.uucod.org cell: 760.567.4586 or VFP Chapter 19 - Tom Swann Hernandez Chapter 19 President (760) 324-5670 tomswannHernandez@earthlink.net