I agree with you both; I remember the vibrancy of unions in the 50s. Not everyone was in the union but everyone talked about them.

On the other hand, when Rap says: "Perhaps it's time again for Unions and Veterans to quietly demonstrate their muscle, perhaps again with parades." maybe that is the clue as to what has gone wrong. The people IN the movement need to become not only visible but need to demonstrate their pride in it.