The author of this piece is Vietnam Veteran and former Naval Aviator Gene Marx. He has served as a member of the Veterans For Peace Membership Committee and was the past Secretary of the VFP National Board of Directors. He lives in Bellingham, Washington, with wife Victoria, and is the chapter coordinator of the local Veterans for Peace Chapter VFP-111. Marx is a former federal employee (Federal Aviation Administration) and the father of two sons, his oldest a nurse, his youngest a train master and two-tour Iraq War Veteran. He became politically active following his youngest son's first deployment. Activities since retirement have included some work with local Progressive non-profits and campaigns, and some writing and managing of websites and blogs. His passion though continues to be anti-war activism with wife Victoria and the Veterans for Peace - locally and nationally.