Pete Wagener spoke at a 2006 Veterans Day event sponsored by the Veterans_for_Peace. His stories about what he learned in his 4 years with the Marines, in facing his alcoholism, and in the course of the 5 years he spent in Russia, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, are personal and powerful.

Pete was affected foremost by his own, personal experiences in the military, but he also credits the writings of a highly decorated Marine Major_General_Smedley_Butler  with influencing his drift into criticism of war.

Pete was raised, and is still active, as a Catholic. He met his wife in Russia, in the course of pursuing business possibilities there. Pete is interested in people and connections, careful but powerful in the judgements he draws from his experience, and loves to share the stories of his experiences.

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