RIP David Cline... (Veterans For Peace)

[WillyT]

David Cline We Salute You

A leader, mentor, and friend passes away, 1947 - 2007

David Cline passed away early September 15, 2007. Most of you know that David was a giant in the Veteran’s anti-war and Peace movements. A national coordinator and long time member of Vietnam Veterans Against the War as well as former President of Veterans For Peace, David was a crucial part of the explosion in VFP’s growth and led us in our planning and actions as we have resisted the invasion and occupation of Iraq. David was a giant among people who motivated all of us to action by modeling leadership and providing inspiration.

David was my boss, mentor, friend and I loved him. He recruited me into VFP by simply being the person he was, a veteran working for peace. There are few people outside of my family whose death means such a loss to me personally. There are few in our nation whose loss means so much to our movement.

A quote David loved so much guided his thoughts and actions. He carried it in his wallet so that he could whip it out to motivate us at any time. Of course he also had it memorized.

"If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; or it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what a people will submit to, and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them; and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress."

-Frederick Douglass

David Cline we Salute You.

Letter from Executive Director, Michael T. McPhearson

Link: http://www.veteransforpeace.org/

If you watched the C-Span coverage this morning, you may have caught Michael McPhearson speaking on behalf of Veterans For Peace, and his mentioning of the passing of David Cline. You would have also seen him admonish folks to not let the anti-war movement become divided. He, by appearing and speaking so eloquently, did not appear to have a problem with the ANSWER Coalition. I think I'll just say simply... that I'm with him.

:patriot:

[Whoa_Nelly]

1. Thank you, David Cline

Rest in the peace you have now.

We will continue to strive for the peace you were dedicated to bringing our nation and the world.

[Hekate]

2. With all my thanks and respect for the VFP and David Cline

RIP for a peaceful warrior.

Hekate

:kick:

[proud patriot]

3. I will Carry On

:cry: he will be missed

[latebloomer]

4. Oh no!!!

David was a friend of mine back in the 80s when we were involved in some NJ peace actions together. He was an extraordinarily dedicated man who experienced great trauma during the Vietnam war and was able to harness his tremendous energies for the good despite having to wrestle with many internal demons.

Do you know what he died of? I am so sad.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. I saw him a few weeks ago and he looked bad

I was told he had numerous health problems. But I didn't hear specifics.

You are so lucky to have known him. I only worshiped him from afar and was thrilled to meet him this summer.

[latebloomer]

6. He was so down-to-earth,

so unpretentious, but amazingly intelligent, articulate and effective.

I see in the link he'd been drinking again-- last I knew he had stopped for quite a while--he always took terrible care of himself-- so, so sad.

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. Yes I saw Michael too

and had the same thoughts.

RIP Dave. You will be missed.

[WillyT]

8. Kick !!!

:kick:

[Glimmer of Hope]

9. Rip David Cline.