Veterans for Peace would like to bring you up to date on our restoration of the legendary sailing ketch, the Golden Rule, and ask for your support.
The Golden Rule was the very first of the environmental action and peace vessels put to sea. In 1958, she set sail from California in a history-making effort, ultimately successful, to halt atmospheric nuclear weapons tests in the Pacific Basin. All of the crew members played important roles in the peace movement and the 1960's struggles for civil rights. Two of them, James Peck and Albert Bigelow, were among the 13 original Freedom Riders in the South.
After 1958, the Golden Rule passed out of public view and, badly neglected, finally sank in a storm in 2010 in Humboldt Bay, California. Shipyard own Leroy Zerlang raised the wreck and convinced the owner to sign over the title to "Veterans For Peace Golden Rule Project," making it our boat, and yours too. The effort was designated as a National Project of Veterans for Peace early in 2012, and VFP members from around the country, as well as many non-members, have joined together to restore the feisty little ketch.
The re-born Golden Rule will ride the waves as a living museum, floating classroom, and powerful symbol of resistance to militarism. She will help us to educate future generations on the risks of nuclear technology, the importance of the ocean environment, and above all, the power of peace-making. Much more information is available on our web site http://vfpgoldenruleproject.org/
We are looking for help in organizing our first voyage (south from Humboldt Bay to the 2015 VFP Convention in San Diego), and with fundraising. You need not live in California to lend a hand. We could also use assistance with our web site and publicity. Next year we will need crew and sailing instructors.
If possible, we would like to have an all-VFP crew. You need not be a sailor - we can teach you the ropes. Mainly, you need to be in reasonable health, and in accord with the mission of VFP, and the Golden Rule's peace-making message.
The Golden Rule Committee is hugely grateful for VFP's support. Thus far, we have raised and spent close to $102,000 - far less than the cost of the original 1958 boat and voyage, which cost $380,000 in today’s dollars. This frugality is due entirely to the efforts of our volunteer restoration team, several of whom have invested years of their lives in the project.
Although the restoration is 85% complete, we still need $25,000 finish the job. While most of the major systems are installed, we still need sails, rigging, an exhaust system, hardware, ports and some other items. In particular, since safety is our top priority, we want to have professional help with the rigging.
You will be impressed with the result. The restored Golden Rule is going to be much better than the original with a new diesel engine, prop and shaft, not to mention gleaming brightwork, new sails, hand-forged solid bronze belaying pins, and much more. She will be a work of art of which VFP can be proud. She will be no museum piece, but rather will carry the news of a peaceful world to come.
As George Orwell observed, "Whoever controls the past, controls the future." We see the Golden Rule Project as a vital part of our effort to both redefine the past, and influence the world that is to come. It falls to us.
Your donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent of law. Please make your check out to "VFP Golden Rule Project" and send it to "VFP Golden Rule Project, P.O. Box 87 Samoa, CA 95564"
Very Sincerely, Veterans For Peace and the Golden Rule Committee