A new Easton chapter of the national nonprofit Veterans for Peace is recruiting members—veterans, active-duty military, and civilians—interested in working to end military conflict around the world and developing tactics to promote social and environmental justice.
Easton residents Bruce Butler and Ben Mauro are behind the efforts to establish the local Veterans for Peace chapter, which offers membership to veterans, active-duty personnel and anyone else interested in advocating for peace.
Veterans for Peace has more than 100 chapters in the United States and six in Europe and Asia. Most recently, the organization has been promoting and celebrating the ceasefire in Gaza. Veterans for Peace likewise demands good-faith diplomacy in ending the war in Ukraine.
“There’s a chapter in Baltimore,” Mauro said, “but Bruce and I felt there was a need for a chapter to serve all peace-minded residents on the Eastern Shore.”
The group held an informational meeting on March 1 at the Easton Family YMCA. Among those attending were veterans of the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy.
The group’s next meeting will be on April 5 at 10:00 AM, Easton Family YMCA, 202 Peachblossom Road. All interested in learning more about the work of Veterans for Peace are welcome.
“We’re not anti-military,” Butler said. “We simply believe in doing as much as possible to promote a more harmonious world.”
Mauro admits that Veterans for Peace is facing a formidable challenge. “Our mission will not be completed in my lifetime or in the lifetime of many future generations, but we’ve got to start somewhere.”
