A Day of Peacemaking

I had talked to my friend Linda and she reminded me that this weekend the Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) were holding a 40th anniversary weekend in Chicago. Of course, that was enough for me-set the unpacking for another day and off to Roosevelt College on Michigan Ave. across from Grant Park for a day of being with peacemakers! All with gray hair, a lot of pot bellies, some beards and a few women veterans who spoke up when the speakers would leave them out!

It was very good to hear the stories and to see them affirmed by the panel of Iraqi Veterans Against the War! (IVAW). The day included a panel of Peace Poets. Absolutely marvelous the book is "Winning Hearts and Minds" an anthology of the veterans own writing. They told the story of how they collected the money to self publish-not done often in the 60's. They gave credit "the women writers' were having to self publish, so we learned from their experience" Makes me feel good. (You may find used copies) Another poet gave me a CD of his work! no charge I had just thanked him for his contribution. It is a copy of a LA radio show interview. His name is Horace Coleman. Another VV told of writing his memoir entitled, I believe "A Hard Rain Falling," a Beatles song. I believe he said it was now being reprinted for the 8th time, he was happy to find it in the local Borders.

Of course the stories of the Iraqi vets tore at my heart and I cried during their presentation. I marvelled at their bravery and courage. I felt I had truly failed my own son so very seriously wounded in Iraq. I know when he asked me when he was home on R&R, "Do you want me to go to jail?" He was obviously thinking of not going back, instead of telling me what was in my heart, "Yes, let us work it out " I told him what I thought Jason wanted me to say, "No I don't want you in jail." My heart breaks for those words and ever will. I am guilty as charged. For the Iraqi vets told of how their mothers were against their going and acted on it! Writing letters, getting investigations, doing whatever they could. I did not, I was completely lost in depression and neurosis and anxiety. All I did was weep. I could take no action at all to save my son.

When Jason joined the Army, Dow had said as we argued and I wept, "This is a good decision he will learn leadership skills." I looked up out of my soul's pain, "Leadership? Jason will learn how to lead men to murder." And I wept and continue to weep, my grieving will never end. For his loss and for those Jason and his men killed and wounded and the Iraqi families destroyed for the American greed for oil to support our unsustainable lifestyle. Jason's life as political means for political ends. Iraqi lives. I commit to stand along side those who work to abolish war.

The Iraqi vets told stories:
1. A vet who said, "If I had not found IVAW, I would not be here, I would have committed suicide. And told the story of his PTSD. I cried as I listened to his suffering.

2. A Army vet a medic who began suffering from PTSD in Iraq because of the horrors of war. His duty included tending to Iraqis dead and injured because of our actions and car bombs, etc. He went AWOL for 16 months, has just been discharged with VA benefits. The army decided not to court martial him or reduce him in rank. Sen Obama supported him. The vet is from Chicago and I had met his mother at a MFSO meeting. (Military Families Speak Out)

3. the vet who is head of the Chicago chapter. He joined the guard for educational benefits, sent to Iraq, he returned in confusion. He has an art exhibit with his work at the Peace Museum in Chicago. He is an artist, now doing street art-Operation First Casualty. the Vets reenact actual patrols within cities and crowded places. The patrol shouts orders and re-live the stress they felt while on patrol in Iraq. But they believe the civilians here can feel what it must be like for the Iraqi people when our army is on patrol in Iraq. No weapons but in fatigues. They have done the street theater in NYC, LA, Chicago and in front of the White House.

4. A vet who was a history major studying the Vietnam War. He joined the military because "I knew I could be a more powerful spokesman for peace if I had combat experience." Served his time, got discharged and started to work against the war within a week. An excellent speaker, he most eloquently tied the wars together through the experience of men who have lived combat. I do not know how his family feels, but I was proud of this young man. His aunt was putting him down recently; "Stop this stuff and go to college" His mother told her, "Would you rather have him in school studying history or have him making history?" My heart sang "YES."

5. Two of the vets presented the strategies being developed by the IVAW to end the war including:
-get the supporters of the war voted out of Federal office
-develop chapters of IVAW on army bases
-They now have over 20 chapters and IVAW started in 2004.

I am so proud of these men and women of two generations who are living and working for and being peace. "Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the Children of God." I feel that if these veterans can forgive themselves for the acts of war and find healing, so I can forgive myself for failing as a woman in becoming silent and not speaking out against war within my own family. I seek healing and peace, too.

I am so energized that I feel well prepared to take Non-violence training for the first time tomorrow. I feel I won't do well but I will try to learn. I know that is all that is asked of me is "to act." It is sacred to live peacefully and to be peace in the world for others.