Peace Vigil # 27, July 24, 2007

With Spadoman out of town, I loaded the signs and trusty Peace Flag and headed to town on a hot and humid day. It was difficult to leave the breeze that was blowing off Lake Superior and the cool shade of the northwoods to stand in the blistering sun at the corner of Chapple and Main St. The bank was flashing the temperature at 85 degrees, but it felt much warmer. The American and POW/MIA flags that fly over the post office were laying limply against their pole. I knew that our troops in Iraq and Afganistan endured endless heat and I had nothing to complain about, I was wearing shorts not full battle gear, I wasn't far from my loved ones and I didn't have to worry about IED's or bullets.
At 5 o'clock I stood alone, Peace Flag unfurled and my sign that announced today's Iraq casualty count -3,637. Soon "Grandma Pat" came with her pink sign that simply says "Peace". She has another sign she usually brings that shows her Grandson, deployed in Iraq and his beautiful young daughter, that sign asks "How many more?". Our other Pat showed up, it was her birthday and she wanted to be there as part of her "special day". Her favorite sign was made by our daughter, by request, it says "Honk for Peace". This Pat likes to encourage participation by the passers by! Soon that same daughter showed up with the 4 youngest grandchildren, they ran to the van to get their signs and soon birthday Pat had them waving at everyone driving, walking or riding bikes by. Her theory is that who can not respond to the children. She was right! We always get the honks, thumbs up and peace signs for people, but today they were waving like it was a parade! It was beautiful and fun. An hour had past quickly and with dinner to make and the desire to get some air moving around us, we reluctantly went our separate ways, but not before we sang the happy birthday song.
We were a small group, but knew we represented many.
Thank you for standing with us in spirit.
May Peace prevail on Earth.
Barb