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Barry Romo

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Barry Romo (July 24, 1947 – May 1, 2024) was an American antiwar activist. He joined the US military as a second lieutenant in 1967 and was initially a strong support of the Vietnam War, but within four years had become a leader of Vietnam Veterans Against the War.[1][2]

Biography

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Romo earned a Bronze Star medal for his role in a battle in Tam Ky Province. At a demonstration in Washington in 1971 that he had helped organize, he joined about 700 soldiers in throwing away their medals in protest, hurling them over a fence in front of the Capitol.[3]

In December 1972, Romo returned to Vietnam with Telford Taylor, a Nuremberg War Trials prosecutor, and the pacifist singer Joan Baez, delivering Christmas packages for 535 prisoners of war.[4]

Romo worked for the veterans effected by Agent Orange, homeless veterans, and for veterans' post-traumatic stress disorder treatment,[5] supporting Iraq Veterans Against the War, and Chicago Homeless Veterans Standdown.[6]

Romo died from a heart attack on May 1, 2024, at the age of 76.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b Murphy, Brian (2024-05-08). "Barry Romo, Vietnam veteran who then fought against the war, dies at 76". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  2. ^ "Barry Romo, Vietnam War veteran and antiwar activist, dies at 76". Chicago Sun-Times. May 10, 2024.
  3. ^ Sandomir, Richard (May 15, 2024). "Barry Romo, Decorated Vet Who Turned Against the Vietnam War, Dies at 76". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  4. ^ "Vietnam Veterans Against the War: Commentary: Vietnam Veterans Against the War Mourns the Passing of Long-Time Member and National Leader Barry Romo". www.vvaw.org. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  5. ^ Sandomir, Richard (2024-05-15). "Barry Romo, Decorated Vet Who Turned Against the VietnamWar, Dies at 76". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  6. ^ "Vietnam Veterans Against the War: Commentary: Vietnam Veterans Against the War Mourns the Passing of Long-Time Member and National Leader Barry Romo". www.vvaw.org. Retrieved 2024-05-19.