Getting '' the people's '' attention that war is an obscenity was foremost to about a dozen of us VFP members from various chapters around the country, as we converged Oct 1 2010, on the NEWSEUM in Washington D. C. After planning logistics for weeks prior and making banners, the largest being 17' X 25, the early afternoon banner drop action has come and gone, but not without raising eyebrows and consciousness.

The news traveled quickly via numerous formats throughout the world after the large banner successfully dropped over the seven story high balcony edge covering much of the FIRST AMENDMENT words inscribed on the front of the building facing Pennsylvania Avenue. However, inside is where the action began with precision only 6 minutes earlier. High above on the second floor atrium balcony, two large banners dropping signaled myself and two others to begin yelling '' EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT - VETS FOR PEACE DROPS ANTIWAR BANNER AT NEWSEUM - GET YOUR SPECIAL EDITION OF WAR CRIMES TIMES HERE !!! '' We handed out several dozen copies to patrons in the atrium lobby before being escorted out the door by security. I had a few dozen left in my bag knowing that people walking in front of the building where the largest banner would drop at that moment they'd be easy to dispense. Much commotion had ensued one of the ropes hadn't made it over the top, down the left side of the banner.

With lots of persistence and courage, members at top and bottom continued the drop attempt while security tried to stop the effort with radios/sirens/yelling/wind. Finally, with both side ropes holding the massive banner tight the physical mission was accomplished. The crowd outside cheered as cameras began shooting and police now arrived in force. Within only moments it seemed, the whole banner/ropes fell to the sidewalk. ( video and pics can be seen on VFP NATIONAL website ). More action takes place, including an OBAMA motorcade that passed in front on Pennsylvania about 20 minutes later. In the end, there were ''no arrests'' and ''no confiscated banners''.

Some banners and a ''huge'' VFP air balloon blimp were used at the following day march/rally '' ONE NATION''. Our anti-war contingent group ( VFP, MFSO, IVAW, ALLIES) of about 2-300 or so was dwarfed by the hundreds of other groups(job/unions/health/etc) totaling over 200,000. Some of us worked the crowd, carrying our ''F'' (5'x10') banner completely around the reflecting pool and in front of the Lincoln Memorial stage. Yes, a couple eyebrows raised. However, smiles, cheers , money, hugs and kisses by the thousands came our way, suggesting that a needed consciousness was ''REALLY '' raised.