David Cline 1947-2007

David Cline, former president of Veterans for Peace and co-founder of Vietnam Veterans Against the War passed away this weekend. He was a wonderful friend to many of us, a great leader and public figure in the peace movement.

He never hesitated to call me comrade and mean it sincerely. I remember working with Dave on the Vietnam Agent Orange Relief & Responsibility Campaign's tour of the U.S. just a few months ago, he always kept great spirits and humor despite his illness.

One of the most touching moments I have ever experienced is when Dave gave his Purple Heart medal to Nguyen Van Quy, a Vietnamese veteran and Agent Orange sufferer who came to the U.S. to testify in the lawsuit against the chemical companies responsible for the poisoning of Vietnamese and U.S. soldiers alike. Mr. Quy just passed away this July.

Dave always knew who his friends were, and who was the real enemy.

You will be missed, comrade.

For more information about the memorial services, making a donation in his honor, visit the Veterans for Peace Webpage.