Notes From Peace Demonstrations, 1/12/12

The Los Angeles Times this morning published a front page story entitled, "U.S. intelligence report on Afghanistan sees stalemate: The sobering judgments in a classified National Intelligence Estimate appear at odds with recent optimistic statements about the war by Pentagon officials." http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-intel-afghan-20120112,0,6949277,full.story This comes as no surprise to those of us who closely follow the disastrous Afghanistan War and hope for its end. The good news is this top level intelligence report, now in public hands, will put pressure on President Obama to finally end this 10 year debacle.

Peace Demonstration No. 303, 1/4/12

"A candle for you guys," said a 30 ish man, a passenger in a car that pulled up in front of the vigil and despite the heavy traffic, inched by so John Fortier and I could see the bright flaming wick within his hand, cupped by his other hand. It was a wonderful gesture he made in mirroring a vigil candle that for 6 years, has burned in remembrance of those killed or seriously wounded in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the pain and loss felt by their families.

Peace Demonstration No. 302, 12/28/11

Last night's vigil hosted by John Fortier and me drew numerous horn honks and waves of support, some of the best response the vigil has received in its nearly six years. It was joined by the 50 ish couple who often join, usually for a few minutes. I told them and told John that the inner voice within me is saying it is time to end this vigil.

Peace Demonstration No. 301, 12/21/11

"That is so nice of you to do that," said a 30 ish woman, her eyes wide open in almost disbelief as she looked at the vigil from her SUV and spoke to John Fortier and me. "Thank you for remembering the soldiers, especially this time of year."

Peace Demonstration No. 300, 12/14/11

"In Peace, Sons bury their fathers. In War, Fathers bury their sons." Herodotus (484 BC - 425 BC), ancient Greek historian, sometimes called "the Father of History." From today's wars, Americans and their allies, and Afghans, Pakistanis and Iraqis are burying their sons and daughters and other family members. Each vigil is in memory of them and the pain their families must bear.

Peace Demonstration No. 299, 12/7/11

"You guys are doing a great thing," said a 54 year old man after he walked up and read the vigil sign. "And I'm not the only one who thinks so," he added as he joined the vigil for 15 to 20 minutes.

Peace Demonstration No. 298, 11/30/11

"God bless you guys," said a 40 ish woman from her white SUV. "Thank you for doing what you're doing. People need to be reminded these wars are still going on. I hope they end soon." Then as the signal on Pacific Coast Highway turned green she waved and honked her horn in support of the vigil as she drove off.

Peace Demonstration No. 297, 11/23/11

Hello Dear Reader. Last night's vigil along busy Pacific Coast Highway in the Los Angeles area, brought numerous horn honks, waves and shout outs of support, on a night so chilly, that John Fortier and I both probably had pink noses and pink cheeks by the time it ended. In writing this vigil summary on Thanksgiving, a special holiday in which Americans express their gratitude for all the good things in their lives, I would like to share with you a story that illustrates why we hold these vigils.

A Remarkable John Fortier Peace Vigil, 11/18/11

There were 3 striking elements to John Fortier's Redondo Beach, CA peace vigil last night including an event I've never before experienced:

Peace Demonstration No. 296, 11/16/11

"It just makes me mad because a lot of people don't understand. They don't see this stuff. They just go about their daily lives while there are still people dying every day for them. It upsets me a lot." These are the tearful words of U.S. CPL Steven Cornford, an Iraq War veteran, who on Easter Sunday, 2007, suffered a severe shoulder wound during a blazing gun battle. These were among his comments about the American people, for since coming home he has learned that despite the enormous sacrifices of his comrades and him, many of them know little about these wars nor care.

Peace Demonstration No. 295, 11/9/11

A driver, a 55 ish, black haired olive skinned man, perhaps of Middle East heritage lowered his passenger side car window and asked what the vigil is about. After I explained it to him, he looked me in the eyes, raised his right hand and raised his right index finger. "No. 1," he said is the Iraqi, Afghan and other victims of U.S. forces. He asked us to remember them, as we also remember the U.S. soldiers and their families.

Peace Demonstration No. 294, 11/2/11

In summarizing last night's vigil, I'd like to tell you the story of 19-year-old U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Jorge Ortiz, a combat photographer. On January 15th, 2011, Jorge was in Afghanistan photographing captured weapons when he stepped on a hidden explosive.

Peace Demonstration No. 293,10/26/11

"Thanks guys for doing that," said a 40 ish man with a strong heartfelt tone in his voice as he stopped his bike at a red signal and spoke with John Fortier and me. It turned out he and his wife are in the Air Force. She is being deployed to Afghanistan and he is being deployed to Kyrgyzstan, which is near the Middle East and was part of the old Soviet Union.

Peace Demonstration No. 292, 10/19/11

 Among the many waves and horn honks of support, two were particularly moving. The 1st was a 40 ish man in a huge white truck with his 10 ish son sitting alongside him. The man waved and warmly smiled at the vigil and his son was interested in what his dad was doing. The boy's eyes absorbed the vigil and his smile glowed. Afterward, surely there was a father-son chat and a boy who will long recall what he saw.

Peace Demonstration No. 291, 10/12/11

"My brother is in Afghanistan," said a 20 ish man on a bike. "He's in the Army. Right now he is bored but he trains the Afghan police. It's one of the most dangerous jobs over there. I could never do what he is doing. But thank you for remembering our troops. You're out here and there is no political stuff."

Peace Demonstration No. 290, 10/5/11

"You are preaching to the choir," said a 60 ish man as he read the sign. "[But] I've been out of work for 7 months and I applied to an aerospace firm. Hopefully, if I get a job, it won't be war related."

John Fortier Peace Demonstration, 9/30/11

Dear Reader, John Fortier is a Korean War veteran, retired school teacher and peace activist who has held a peace vigil virtually every Friday since President Bush ordered the invasion and occupation of Iraq in March, 2003. In this informal email, he comments about the generosity of a poor maid.

Peace Demonstration No. 283, 8/17/11

On Tuesday explosions rocked Iraq, from one end to the other, killing at least 106 people and injuring 337 more. It was some of the worst violence of the 8 year old U.S. war and occupation of Iraq and it took place despite a heavy U.S. military presence.

Peace Demonstration No. 282, 8/10/11

"Thank you for doing that," said a 40 ish women about the vigil, as she smiled and waved from her car. "I work in a pet store and I have a customer whose husband is about to leave for Afghanistan. She is very young, only 23. I have another customer whose husband just got back from Afghanistan."

Peace Demonstration No. 281, 8/3/11

Last night, John Fortier, a Korean War veteran and peace activist and I held the latest vigil under bright blue sunny skies, a 70 degree temperature and a very busy Pacific Coast Highway street corner in Torrance, in Southern California.