Dear Reader, This Peace Vigil is held each Friday night by John Fortier, A Korean War veteran and retired school teacher on Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo Beach, CA. He has held these vigils, and additional vigils as well, since just before President Bush launched the Iraq War in March, 2003.
WAR IS NOT
THE ANSWER
Tonight was not a good night to forget to bring a little notebook to my Friday 'protest' on the corner [PCH & Knob Hill]. I've been encouraged to keep a record or journal of my experiences while I sit up there with my "War Is Not the Answer" and peace symbol signs, but I never remember to. Usually it doesn't matter much because the time
[4 - 5:30] usually passes without anything out of the ordinary happening.
Tonight was different. The honks, waves and V signs were considerably more numerous than usual, but it was other little events that made it interesting. One was a visit by a couple of young boys, one black, one white and both around 13 or 14. I had chatted with the black kid before and was impressed by the depth and scope of his awareness and concerns. When he left I gave him a couple of the poker chip peace sign pins I make and carry with me. We exchanged names but I have not remembered his and I suspect he may have forgotten mine too.
Tonight he walked up with a different partner and showed me a metal peace sign he had on a cord around his neck. I wear one too, but his is a very impressive 3 inches in diameter; mine is 1. I asked him where he got it and was surprised by his answer - The Party House in Torrance. [I'm glad to hear that because that store has lots of young people customers for costumes and party decorations.] We talked about Egypt and Tunisia some, and the dilemma they create for this country. Backing strongmen has some advantages, but when the oppression by those strongmen on their people becomes so great that the people resist what do we do? A lot of adults don't show the interest and concern of this young man. I hate to think we might have to wait for the 13 year olds to grow up and run the show and get it right. When he was leaving he asked if I had another peace pin he could have; he had given his away. Now he has several more to find good homes for.
Another event was not unique but special. Several times a lady driver and a male passenger, when going east on Knob Hill, have honked, waved and thrown V signs. The lady is around 50ish and the guy anywhere from 20 to 40. The lady is either the mother or care-giver of the passenger,who appears to have some serious physical or mental difficulties. Their waving is always enthusiastic and generous and it's always an pleasant energizing experience for me .
Tonight when they were stopped by a red light, he waved the whole time they waited for the green. The lady yelled something to me, but I couldn't understand and cupped my ears in my hands to let her know that. She yelled again and I responded with, "I can't understand you, but I really appreciate your support!" That motivated her to really shout out, "It will be nice when some day you won't have to be sitting out there." I answered with, "That's will be a wonderful day. Thank you", as they were driving away.
Not long after that a little non-event event happened in that same place. Two young ladies were stopped at the light and the passenger gave me a timid little V wave. I returned it with a sort of theatrical both arms extended double V wave. She said something that made the driver look at me with a big smile and a V wave. The passenger began rummaging around like she might be looking for a camera in a purse on her lap, but the light changed and they made a left turn north on PCH. I suspect she might have been looking for a camera of some kind because having my picture taken has become fairly common. Some ask if I would mind, some don't, but as long as they have my signs in the frame, I'm happy as a clam.
The last happening this evening is a little embarrassing. A young man, about 25 or so, pulled up on a bicycle and said a pretty heavily accented hello and a couple of supportive comments about what I was doing. I asked where he was from, how long had he been speaking English, and what he thought about current events. He said he was from the French language part of Belgium, was here in the states looking for work as a model, liked the states very much, and was surprised that I knew that Brugge was there [only because of the movie by that name], and Flanders Fields. I also told him I admired their firearms industry and enjoyed their waffles. That was when he tried to hand me some paper money, five one dollar bills to be exact. I told him no, no, no, no. I said that I would not accept money. I was not homeless or hungry or broke and lived two blocks away in a house of my own with my wife and a dog. He enjoyed my saying that but was unstoppable. I came home with $5. That's $5 I have to find a very special use for.
Maybe I'll go buy a nice little notebook.
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