War veterans fast in C. America protest

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6 SOCIALIST ACTION OCTOBER 1986 BOSTON-On Sept. 1, Charlie Liteky—a former Army chaplain, Vietnam combat veteran, and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor-began a water-only fast to protest the government's policy in Central America. By Sept. 13, he had stood for 12 days on the steps of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

Liteky gained national attention when, on July 29, he renounced his medal of honor at the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. He said at that time, "My action is directed toward the inhumane foreign policy of my government, a policy that casts shadows of shame over the heritage of this country and places the United States outside the company of civilized nations."

Liteky returned the award he had received for saving the lives of 20 of his fallen comrades while under heavy fire. He said that he hoped his actions would draw attention to the U.S.-sponsored slaughter of innocent people in Nicaragua and be able to save lives once again.

Liteky has been joined in his "fast for life" by three other veterans. They are George Mizo (in Washington, D.C.) and Brian Wilson (at the United Nations), both Vietnam vets, and Duncan Murphy, aged 66, of Sulpher Springs, Ark., a veteran of World War II.

These men have vowed to continue their fast until there is some significant movement by the American people to join their protest of the "inhuman and illegal undeclared war in Central America." In a joint statement they declared, "We must protest against those who have learned nothing from the bloodshed and the carnage and the sacrifice that was and always will be Vietnam."

On Sept. 7, Boston-area veterans began a "Vigil for Life." Ninety combat vets pledged to stand eight-hour watches around the clock on the Boston Common throughout the month of September. They intended to demonstrate to the White House and the American people that their fellow veterans on hunger strike are not alone in their demands for an end to the bloodshed in Central America.

As one vet stated, "Because of our experiences in fighting the war in Southeast Asia, we have a duty, an obligation, to raise our voices in opposition to the immoral war in Nicaragua-it's that simple. We have to let the public know that the war in Central America has already begun." He added, "It already is another Vietnam."

The sponsors of the vigil asked that messages of support be sent to the hunger strikers at: Veterans Fast for Life, P.O. Box 53271, Temple Heights Station, Washington, D.C. 20009.

To date thousands of letters and postcards have been received from Europe. Articles about the "Fast for Life" have also appeared in several major Central American newspapers. A biweekly International. six-month sub available for $ Write to : CA 94110 magazine published under thè auspices We offer a special introductory offer of thre scription is $22, and one year of Internatic 42. Subscribe now! 3435 Army St., 308, of the Four : issues for $3 nal Viewpoin

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