July 21, 2009
I have vigilled almost every Friday over the past 3 years to see a just end to these unjust wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today I happen to be vigiling alone on a sunny, muggy, Moratorium Friday in the Ohio River Valley. Though somewhat uncomfortable to do alone on a busy street corner for an hour, it gives me time to think… of the many wonderful peacemakers who have shared this space at the World Peace Bell.
I’d like to name them and acknowledge each for their help and presence here and their myriad other works on behalf of peace: First and foremost, Sr. Alice Gerdemann, CDP, founder of IJPC; also, Sr. Dorothy , Sr. Janet, Sr. Paula, Sister Leah, SND plus a number of other Sisters of the Congregation of Divine Providence (who also taught me in high school here in Newport, KY). Thanks also to my Peace Camp friend, Tina Michael, free trade activist Angela Cassanova, Trasy Durso of the Womens Crisis Center, Jim from the IRS, Homeschoolers Holly and her 3 children… Salutes to returning GIs Caleb Bunton, Jake and Cassie and Brian. Then there’s Jill Dew, singer , Phil Lachmann and Missy Vogelpohl; Mike and Steve, a Preacher who talked metaphysics with me, the Mormans and the Agent in Black; and, of course, my partner, Marty Winter, who loves me in spite of everything.
I‘d also like to give a special thanks to Sean McDonald, an ardent writer and activist, for his months of faithful vigiling, bringing yard signs to give away from a display he made himself. He always covered for me every time I had to be absent . Anyone I forgot, send me an e-mail and let me have it! (@ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). It’s an omission of the brain, not of my heart.
Then again, vigiling alone makes me wonder: if 75-80 percent of the country opposes the wars we’re in, why have they not ended? Where are all those citizens today and how can we reach them? It seems our world is truly on the brink. We all need to be active. Let’s all organize big for Oct. 17th, 2009!
