Two VFP members honored for activism by Wisconsin peace and justice network

Two Veterans for Peace members will be honored with 2009 Peacemaker awards Oct. 3 by the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice (WNPJ), a statewide network of 170 organizations working for social change.  

Jason Moon, 35, is a leader in Milwaukee’s chapter of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW), a member Veterans for Peace (VFP) Chapter 102 and a  board member of VFP’s Homeless Veterans Initiative to find and assist homeless veterans in the Milwaukee area.  He testified at the national Winter Soldier hearings in 2008.   A singer-songwriter, he also uses his musical talents and organizes benefits to promote peace.  

Will Williams, 65, a member of Madison’s Veterans for Peace Chapter 25, uses his own experience in Vietnam to speak and counsel young people about the realities of military service and challenge promises of recruiters.  He has spoken across the state, linking peace, prison reform, and immigrant rights.   He and his wife, Dot are part of a singing group called The Gospelaires, which also performs at peace and social justice events.  

The Peacemakers of the Year presentations will be at 3:15 p.m. on Oct. 3 at Goodman Community Center, 149 Waubesa St., Madison, at the conclusion of WNPJ’s annual Fall Assembly, which begins at 10 a.m. 

A special reception to honor Joe Elder and Esther Heffernan, winners of WNPJ Lifetime Achievement awards, will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the same location, with speakers and music and John Nichols, columnist for The Capital Times and The Nation.as emcee.  All events are open to the public.