Veterans for Peace Ch.50 - Meeting MINUTES - 4/18/2026
Location: ZOOM!
Time: 10:00-11:30 am
Moment of Silence
In attendance:
Tim K., Bob N., Denise S., Penny C., Dave F., Dave P., Ann R., Dick W., and Emily K.
1. Congrats to Tim on his Vietnam Veteran Service Beyond Service Award! :
Tim spoke of his experience being awarded this honor by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund in its inaugural year. Tim’s daughter, Morganne, and his sister, Eve, accepted the award for him, as they were near DC and the trip was cost prohibitive. The ceremony took place in Washington DC in front of the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial, also known as “The Wall”. Link to Tim’s bio on the VVMF website:
https://www.vvmf.org/registry/506721/Timothy-B-Keenan/
We are very proud of our Prez!
2. Memorial Day Plans:
Open Space: Lydia reserved the Open Space.
Taps player: Tim to contact taps player
Time: 9am-2pm
Taps at Noon, followed by the reading of the names of Michigan Service people who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Get the word out: Denise to contact Indivisible and Mideast Just Peace to help spread the word. She will ask Indivisible if they can put it on their website and/or include on their email. Bob and Mary will do the usual PR for this event, as well. Bob to talk to Montessori Schools. Emily to post event on Facebook and website. Any volunteers for Instagram?
Other details such as volunteer status and signs, placement, etc. to be discussed at May meeting.
3. Peace Monument Update:
Unfortunately, we are rebooting after a necessary pause, while folks were out of town. We are in the process of looking for a new sculptor. Bob, Denise and Dick are making that a top priority.
4. High School student interested in being involved VFP:
Ideas for inclusion, projects,etc. :
Tim to meet with him on Sunday, April 19 to discuss possible volunteer work for Memorial Day event as well as the possibility of speaking to his class.
5. Discussion: Current Events/Issues/Concerns from members & Guests:
Tim talked with the National VFP and was told of a film called Earth’s Greatest Enemy, about the U.S. Military’s large role in environmental pollution. Tim is going to attempt to have it shown at State Theater.
Tim spoke with a member of VFP from Vegas who contacted him about our search to find new, younger members. She emphasized what we already knew about social media. It is the way to engage younger folks.
**We need members of our group who are willing to be consistently active and engaged on social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook!** Anyone??
She also recommended creating a quiet space for people to share their thoughts on various topics related to VFP mission. Keep it current and interesting and “mix it up” so that we aren’t just discussing the same events and projects. Perhaps staring a discussion in social media and continuing it at the meeting? Or choosing a different topic to discuss at each meeting? Or just leave the floor open as we have been during “Discussion” time?
Tim suggested billboard again. Those in attendance agreed it’s a good idea. “The true cost of war” seems to be a likely subject. Tim will look into pricing. Denise suggested asking other groups, such as MEJP and Indivisible if they’d like to be included in this project. That will be discussed at next meeting after we have more info regarding pricing, etc.
Denise told us of her upcoming travels to the Michigan Democratic Party Endorsement Convention in Detroit. Thanks for being so involved, Denise! Have a great time and report back to us!
6. Set the next meeting date and location:
Date agreed to be May 16, at 10 am. Denise suggested Oryana West and will be looking into the availability. Stay tuned for confirmation.
Minutes by Emily and Tim Keenan