Notes From Peace Demonstrations: John Fortier's Peace Vigil, 9/7/12

 Dear Reader, John Fortier is a Korean War Veteran, retired school teacher, and a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He has hosted a peace vigil in Redondo Beach, California alongside Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) nearly every week since President Bush launched the Iraq War in March of 2003. John shares with us a personal story from his 9/7 vigil:



Hey, Dick ~
The weather was beautiful; the public support was generous; and Grant said to say hello: "Hello."

The anecdote that comes to mind concerns a guy on a bicycle stopped in the Knob Hill right turn lane waiting for a break in traffic so he could move onto PCH. I must have looked willing or eager to talk, because he started right off saying how nice it was to see me out there, how I spend a lot of time there, how a lot of people must enjoy and appreciate seeing me there, etc.. He sat through a whole green light making very friendly and complimentary remarks, and some observations on the conventions. 

I told him how much I enjoyed doing it, rain or shine, and how I always felt better when I left the corner than I did when I arrived there. When I told him how much I appreciated supportive remarks like his, I think he was a little embarrassed, but not in an uncomfortable way. I just think he hadn't expected his comments to be that important to me. As he was leaving, he said he lives on Avenue A and sees me out there a lot and always looks for me. I told him he's pretty sure to see me there 4 to 6 on Fridays, and maybe on some other 'special occasions', like Labor Day, Dr. King's birthday, 4th of July, etc..

I have a hunch he'll come to my attention in the future, and that will be my pleasure.

John
PS - Next Friday maybe you'll tell me how your evening today went.