Peace Demonstration No. 257, 2/9/11

"I'm in the Marine Reserves,"  said a 25 ish, 5 ft, 8 in muscular man who walked up with his girl friend. "But I served on Active Duty for 51/2 years. I was in Iraq in 2005 and I'm going to Afghanistan this Summer. Thank you for doing this."

When we told him John Fortier is a Korean War veteran he added, "Thank you for your service Sir."

After this couple walked away a 25 is man walked up and said, "My brother was in Iraq. He came back okay. He's in the Army Airborne and has been in the Army for three years. He's going to Afghanistan." Then after an instant of silence he added, "Thank you," as he stared at the vigil.

This was how last night's vigil went, including horn honks, waves, two fingered peace signs and thumbs up. The response was so strong, we extended the vigil an extra half hour to accommodate everyone.

"What you are doing is beautiful," said a 56 year old, 5ft, 10 in, medium build woman as she stood in front of the sign and the tears ran down her cheeks. She then gave me a bear hug and did the same with John.

"My ex-boyfriend was a firefighter, good looking and really had it together. Then as a Marine sharpshooter, he served three deployments in Iraq. He was never the same. He came back mentally crippled and couldn't function in society. Now he's a drunk and lives on the streets. I had to put him out for my safety and security."

This was the most emotional time of the vigil. But one of its nicest moments came when a 40 ish man in a small gray sedan stopped at the red light. He had his precious five year old daughter in the car and he smiled and gently leaned over and pointed to the vigil. He then waved and so did she.

As I stepped on to the street to talk with them, he lowered his window and this gorgeous tiny girl told me her name and how old she is, as she revelled in the attention. My heart jumped with joy. When the signal turned green, they waved goodbye and I stepped back on to the sidewalk. John said a car in the far right lane had been anxious to drive where I was walking but he waited impatiently, apparently shuffling around in his seat.

Yet he never honked his horn in frustration and this has happened so many times in the five year course of the vigil. Drivers see what is happening and however anxious they are to get home, they wait silently.

As the vigil ended, a 40 ish woman, a passenger in a small sedan looked at the vigil with eyes as wide as saucers and said to us, "Amen." Dear reader, Amen to you as well. Thank you for your interest.

Dick

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