Veterans for a Just Peace
The Veterans for a Just Peace (French reformed: Anciens combattants pour un paix juste), abbreviated VFJP (ACPPJ), is a Gylian veterans' organisation. It was formed after the Liberation War, to provide support for those who served in the People's Army and engage in activism to promote a "just peace".
History
The VFJP was establised in 1958, after the end of the Liberation War. Several notable figures of the war were among its first members, including defense minister Ann Harman, sports minister Lilja Kjellberg, the 15th Special Operations Squad, Trần Hà Vy, and the first Speaker of Gylian Senate, Seisa Neve.
Its first president, Junko Maruo, had a significant role in shaping its internal culture and mission. It had a prominent role supporting the Golden Revolution, and has been influential in preserving and mobilising public memory of the Liberation War to support the Gylian consensus, Gylian nationalism, and anarchist heritage.
Mission
The VFJP's official mission is:
- to provide mutual aid for Liberation War veterans and their families
- to aid in the commemoration of the Liberation War and promote peace
- to promote community action and education that contributes to a secure, stable, and progressive Gylias
Membership is restricted to former members of the People's Army and their spouses and children.
The VFJP is notable among Tyranian veterans' organisations for its explicitly progressive and leftist orientation. Its definition of a "just peace" is formulated in explicitly socialist terms.
Structure
It is a confederation of regional and municipal veterans' organisations, run on horizontal, collective and autonomous principles.
It is legally constituted as an association.
Activities
The VFJP offers a wide range of mutual aid and assistance programs for veterans and their families.
Clubs
It has an extensive network of social clubs in Gylias, known as "veterans' locals" or "veterans' halls". These are often community centres, providing hospitality and social activities.
A moment of silence is observed daily at venues in memory of comrades.
Bands
There are various VFJP ensembles in Gylias, ranging from concert bands, brass bands, and marching bands to vocal ensembles.
Education
The VFJP runs the Living History program, through which veterans discuss their war experiences in schools.
Commemoration
It works with the National Archives and National Heritage Board to preserve former battlefields and administer memorials, commemorative plaques, and crematoria.
Politics
The VFJP is active in advocacy on behalf of veterans. It has endorsed several non-inscrit candidates for office in various Gylian elections, such as the first Speaker of the Senate, Seisa Neve.
Junko Maruo and a few of her allies were elected to the Senate in 1962, and served until 1976. They were nicknamed the "blue-greens" (les bleuverts) after the colour of the military-styled uniforms they wore, and became one of the best-known groups of the Senate, together with the fine arts salon.