I went to the Memorial Day event scheduled by the IVAW and Veterans for Peace. About 50 persons were present, lots of cameras and reporters and photographers. In Chicago the Veterans Memorial has been created in a lovely green space by the river-Wabash and Wacker Drive. It consists of grassy steps edged in granite and a fountain, flags, etc.
The weather was rain forcasted but it held for the hour long memorial. Soldiers from Iraq spoke of their experiences to remember friends who had died. Two Goldstar parents spoke, one who lost a son and a mother who lost a daughter in Texas and has never been told why.
Some statistics given today:
50% of female soldiers are raped.
1000 attempted suicides a month by returned soldiers. Reported to VA system, so we can accept that the rate is higher.
AFSC had the boots from the IL soldiers who have died. They have now began to add white boots for those who have committed suicide, 11 suicides to 150 deaths so far.
Lots of camera persons and media so maybe some folks will see the memorial today.
The most moving part of the memorial for me was to throw a carnation into the river to remember those who have died. I was okay then when I stepped aside down the rail above the river 20 feet below, I began to cry. The carnations of diverse colors floated below me and I thought of Gilda and her son Alex and I wept. Another MFSO mom came to me, hadn't seen her in a while. Her son was sent back to Iraq after being diagnosed with PTSD. We hugged, she is on anti-depressants. I listened to her story and offered my support to her.
Let us hold each other in prayers and thoughts and work to end war.
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