---
title: On the Fourth of July, we celebrate freedom, not war.
description: Veterans for Peace advocate for a ban on armored vehicles in parades, emphasizing peace and condemning the normalization of militarism in public celebrations.
image: https://www.vfp46.org/hubfs/517712375_1153952680109182_1965328941854796797_n.jpg
---

[Skip to content](https://www.vfp46.org/blog/on-the-fourth-of-july-we-celebrate-freedom-not-war#main-content)

![Veterans For Peace Chapter 46 Monterey](https://www.vfp46.org/hs-fs/hubfs/VFP_Monterey_Art_2inch_Slant.jpg?width=300&height=240&name=VFP_Monterey_Art_2inch_Slant.jpg)Homepage

- [Home](https://www.vfp46.org)
- [Board](https://www.vfp46.org/board-of-directors)
- [Blog](https://www.vfp46.org/blog)
- [Gallery](https://www.vfp46.org/gallery)
- [Current Events & Activities](https://www.vfp46.org/current-activities)
  
    - [Operation Northstar](https://www.vfp46.org/operation-northstar)
    - [Reclaim Armistice Day](https://www.vfp46.org/reclaim-armistice-day-2025)
- [Donate](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VFS7QETBMN9AW)

[Join VFP](https://www.veteransforpeace.org/take-action/join)

- [Home](https://www.vfp46.org)
- [Board](https://www.vfp46.org/board-of-directors)
- [Blog](https://www.vfp46.org/blog)
- [Gallery](https://www.vfp46.org/gallery)
- [Current Events & Activities](https://www.vfp46.org/current-activities)
  
    - [Operation Northstar](https://www.vfp46.org/operation-northstar)
    - [Reclaim Armistice Day](https://www.vfp46.org/reclaim-armistice-day-2025)
- [Donate](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VFS7QETBMN9AW)

[Join VFP](https://www.veteransforpeace.org/take-action/join)

This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached.

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

![](https://www.vfp46.org/hs-fs/hubfs/517712375_1153952680109182_1965328941854796797_n.jpg?width=2048&height=1363&name=517712375_1153952680109182_1965328941854796797_n.jpg)

Demilitarize

# On the Fourth of July, we celebrate freedom, not war.

![Justin Loza](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e)

 Justin Loza

July 14, 2025

Watching armored vehicles roll through our streets during a holiday meant to honor liberty and independence created a sense of DREAD instead. These killing machines were built for combat, not to be celebrated in community parades.

 

As a veteran, I believe we honor this country best by promoting peace, not by glorifying the instruments of war.

 

Maybe if we didn’t normalize militarism, we’d be more appalled as a society by the recent domestic deployment of U.S. troops on American soil for seemingly no legitimate reason. [#StandDown](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/standdown?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZVmuzc2pNcCuq0UZ2uynP0t4sfSxJdvEHKDsfNN1HFMSYPj_RWFCTB-TvRaYGYNvwSFoExIZ9At9L6pmnAm_KGs4OttqpZ9f63RfEmSe54ZA49WZ6j84q4wc1EOp6UxIdcb4SbbZ2adjdu81Z0T9cw3MuF2PJBoLa95j_T-uKdCObbVVqOvRtqt9q3aiAWK9Pt5EIsceWmICud5ofRocNRt&__tn__=*NK-R)

 

[City of Monterey - Government](https://www.facebook.com/cityofmonterey?__cft__[0]=AZVmuzc2pNcCuq0UZ2uynP0t4sfSxJdvEHKDsfNN1HFMSYPj_RWFCTB-TvRaYGYNvwSFoExIZ9At9L6pmnAm_KGs4OttqpZ9f63RfEmSe54ZA49WZ6j84q4wc1EOp6UxIdcb4SbbZ2adjdu81Z0T9cw3MuF2PJBoLa95j_T-uKdCObbVVqOvRtqt9q3aiAWK9Pt5EIsceWmICud5ofRocNRt&__tn__=-]K-R) We’re calling for a ban on armored military vehicles in parades and public celebrations. They do not belong on our streets unless there’s a true emergency. Celebrating the people in the military is good alternative than to allow this equipment to continue to be used.

 

Here’s a succinct list summarizing the killing potential of each vehicle that we saw rolling down our street:

 

- M3 Half-Track – Built for combat, typically armed with heavy machine guns.

- Willys Jeep – Sometimes mounted with machine guns for recon/escort.

- GMC CCKW Truck – Occasionally armed for convoy protection.

- DUKW Amphibious Truck –Occasionally armed for beach landings.

- ![](https://www.vfp46.org/hs-fs/hubfs/517397264_1153958613441922_6434570934872863118_n.jpg?width=2048&height=1365&name=517397264_1153958613441922_6434570934872863118_n.jpg)
  
   Hover message
- ![](https://www.vfp46.org/hs-fs/hubfs/517394283_1153952910109159_8608840076782524721_n.jpg?width=2048&height=1363&name=517394283_1153952910109159_8608840076782524721_n.jpg)
  
   Hover message
- ![](https://www.vfp46.org/hs-fs/hubfs/517712375_1153952680109182_1965328941854796797_n.jpg?width=2048&height=1363&name=517712375_1153952680109182_1965328941854796797_n.jpg)
  
   Hover message

 

[#VeteransForPeace](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/veteransforpeace?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZVmuzc2pNcCuq0UZ2uynP0t4sfSxJdvEHKDsfNN1HFMSYPj_RWFCTB-TvRaYGYNvwSFoExIZ9At9L6pmnAm_KGs4OttqpZ9f63RfEmSe54ZA49WZ6j84q4wc1EOp6UxIdcb4SbbZ2adjdu81Z0T9cw3MuF2PJBoLa95j_T-uKdCObbVVqOvRtqt9q3aiAWK9Pt5EIsceWmICud5ofRocNRt&__tn__=*NK-R) [#peaceispatriotic](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/peaceispatriotic?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZVmuzc2pNcCuq0UZ2uynP0t4sfSxJdvEHKDsfNN1HFMSYPj_RWFCTB-TvRaYGYNvwSFoExIZ9At9L6pmnAm_KGs4OttqpZ9f63RfEmSe54ZA49WZ6j84q4wc1EOp6UxIdcb4SbbZ2adjdu81Z0T9cw3MuF2PJBoLa95j_T-uKdCObbVVqOvRtqt9q3aiAWK9Pt5EIsceWmICud5ofRocNRt&__tn__=*NK-R) [#Demilitarize](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/demilitarize?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZVmuzc2pNcCuq0UZ2uynP0t4sfSxJdvEHKDsfNN1HFMSYPj_RWFCTB-TvRaYGYNvwSFoExIZ9At9L6pmnAm_KGs4OttqpZ9f63RfEmSe54ZA49WZ6j84q4wc1EOp6UxIdcb4SbbZ2adjdu81Z0T9cw3MuF2PJBoLa95j_T-uKdCObbVVqOvRtqt9q3aiAWK9Pt5EIsceWmICud5ofRocNRt&__tn__=*NK-R) [#fourthofjuly](https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/fourthofjuly?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZVmuzc2pNcCuq0UZ2uynP0t4sfSxJdvEHKDsfNN1HFMSYPj_RWFCTB-TvRaYGYNvwSFoExIZ9At9L6pmnAm_KGs4OttqpZ9f63RfEmSe54ZA49WZ6j84q4wc1EOp6UxIdcb4SbbZ2adjdu81Z0T9cw3MuF2PJBoLa95j_T-uKdCObbVVqOvRtqt9q3aiAWK9Pt5EIsceWmICud5ofRocNRt&__tn__=*NK-R)

 

Photo credit to Oldtown Monterey

## Share this post

<https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vfp46.org%2Fblog%2Fon-the-fourth-of-july-we-celebrate-freedom-not-war><https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vfp46.org%2Fblog%2Fon-the-fourth-of-july-we-celebrate-freedom-not-war><https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vfp46.org%2Fblog%2Fon-the-fourth-of-july-we-celebrate-freedom-not-war><https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vfp46.org%2Fblog%2Fon-the-fourth-of-july-we-celebrate-freedom-not-war>[mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vfp46.org%2Fblog%2Fon-the-fourth-of-july-we-celebrate-freedom-not-war](mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vfp46.org%2Fblog%2Fon-the-fourth-of-july-we-celebrate-freedom-not-war)

## Keep reading

### [![](https://www.vfp46.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Capital%20Party.png?width=878&height=587&name=Capital%20Party.png) Direct Action News Veterans Against Fascism Following a local veteran’s patriotic evolution to his arrest at the U.S. Capitol.](https://www.vfp46.org/blog/following-a-local-veterans-patriotic-evolution-to-his-arrest-at-the-u.s.-capitol)

### [![](https://www.vfp46.org/hs-fs/hubfs/peaceful%20patriots.jpg?width=1543&height=640&name=peaceful%20patriots.jpg) Operation Northstar News Op Northstar in the news](https://www.vfp46.org/blog/op-ns-news-1)

[![Veterans For Peace Chapter 46 Monterey](https://www.vfp46.org/hs-fs/hubfs/VFP_Monterey_Art_2inch_Slant.jpg?width=300&height=240&name=VFP_Monterey_Art_2inch_Slant.jpg "Veterans For Peace Chapter 46 Monterey")](https://vfp46.org)

- [Home](https://www.vfp46.org)
- [Board](https://www.vfp46.org/board-of-directors)
- [Blog](https://www.vfp46.org/blog)
- [Gallery](https://www.vfp46.org/gallery)
- [Current Events & Activities](https://www.vfp46.org/current-activities)
- [Donate](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VFS7QETBMN9AW)

<https://www.linkedin.com><https://www.facebook.com><https://www.twitter.com><https://www.instagram.com><https://www.tiktok.com>

---

Privacy Policy · Legal · © 2025 Veterans For Peace Chapter 46 Monterey Inc. All rights reserved.

 

**Veteran For Peace Chapter 46 is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible. Tax-exempt id 86-3658953.**

Monterey, CA 1364 Fremont Blvd. Seaside, California 93955

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Justin Loza",
    "url" : "https://www.vfp46.org/blog/author/justin-loza"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2025-07-14T06:13:15.145Z",
  "datePublished" : "2025-07-14T06:04:17.000Z",
  "headline" : "On the Fourth of July, we celebrate freedom, not war.",
  "image" : [ "https://www.vfp46.org/hubfs/517712375_1153952680109182_1965328941854796797_n.jpg" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://www.vfp46.org/blog/on-the-fourth-of-july-we-celebrate-freedom-not-war",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://www.vfp46.org/hubfs/VFP_Monterey_Art_2inch_Slant.jpg"
    },
    "name" : "Veterans For Peace Chapter 46 Monterey Inc"
  }
}
```