Iraq War Grief Daily Witness (photo) Day 375

11 Comments

1. 

   RubDMC on August 13, 2006 at 2:12 pm

   

   The candle that DianeL first lit many months ago, and which has become such an important part of these diaries since, is still available here.

   You can copy that image into your own comment (you can leave it on my server), craft your own image, and/or rate this one – not for mojo, but to leave a small mark after taking this moment – as a sign that you know, but do not approve, and are not resigned.

   “It is like trying to ignite – to pass on the responsibilities as much as possible to everyone else.” – Ravi Shankar

   • 

     dada on August 13, 2006 at 2:14 pm

     

2. 

   Damnit Janet on August 13, 2006 at 2:16 pm

   

   This past TH, I witnessed so much… but along with the overwhelming of everything at the Seattle National VFP convention… I saw an interrogator, a young man, give himself up. To say he wasn’t going back – he was RESISTING. I saw him surrounded by Iraq Veterans Against the War, brought into the fold of support and understanding. I’ll never forget that single moment of pureness.

3. 

   jimstaro on August 13, 2006 at 2:27 pm

   
   Light A Candle For
   Peace, Tolerance, Understanding
   and For The Children – Innocence Lost,
   And The Perpetual Conflict Future We  Have Given Them!

   Freedom Park Rally, Charlotte NC, 8-12-06

   Though smaller than it would have been, some people went up to DC for that National Rally {there was also a pre-season Pathers home game and a major concert, priorities you know}, it was Well Received as a prelude to an ‘Impeachment Rally’ that will be held in the same park on Sept. 30th with National Speakers.

   Below are two photo’s of the Memorial for those who have been Killed in Iraq/Afganistan from North Carolina:

   

   

   The two above, plus 14 others can be viewed HERE

   WAR IS FAILURE
   From: Dennis Serdel
   To: GI Special
   Sent: August 11, 2006
   Subject: WAR IS FAILURE by Arny Stieber
   Written by Arny Stieber, Vietnam Infantry 1970, Vietnam Veterans Against The War Washtenaw, Michigan Veterans For Peace 93.
   Letter published in the New York Times 1-13-2005. made into poem form by Dennis Serdel, Vietnam 1967-68 (one tour) Light Infantry, Americal Div. 11th Brigade, purple heart, Veterans For Peace, Vietnam Veterans Against The War, United Auto Workers GM Retiree, in Perry, Michigan
   WAR IS FAILURE

   I wrote a letter
   to the editor
   of the New York Times.
   To the Editor
   I am a Vietnam veteran
   I recently woke up
   to the reality
   of being a pawn.
   War is not glorious
   if it were
   the children of our leaders
   would be there.
   War does not bring peace.
   If it did
   after all these thousands
   of years
   we would live
   in a peaceful world.
   At best,
   war is the failure
   of our leaders
   to solve problems.
   At worst,
   war is a vast
   money-generating machine
   that has no regard
   for life.
   The military does
   what it is told
   to do by politicians.
   The only protection
   it has is
   “We The People.”
   Let’s protect our troops.
   Our politicians
   have failed.

   MAMA?
   From: Dennis Serdel
   To: GI Special
   Sent: August 11, 2006
   Subject: MAMA by Dennis Serdel
   Written by Dennis Serdel, Vietnam 1967-68 (one tour) Light Infantry, Americal Div. 11th Brigade, purple heart, Veterans For Peace, Vietnam Veterans Against The War, United Auto Workers GM Retiree, in Perry, Michigan

   MAMA?

   Doc had no division between Vietnam and the USA,
   when he “came home,” the dreams came, the pain came
   and would not go away,
   he did not feel “safe now.”
   Some former friends stopped by
   but many of the faces
   Doc could not recognize
   treating them as hostile.
   There were the weapons
   a .45 on the kitchen table,
   the 12 gauge pump leaning in the corner.
   Doc smoking pot, drinking heavily,
   giving himself shots.
   The sockets round his eyes were charcoal
   from lack of sleep, he didn’t shave or brush
   his teeth, word got around
   that he was dangerous.
   Doc’s pain was migraine pain, bloody limbs
   and split back skin, booby traps
   and blown up men. The pain that works itself
   through all the medications pain.
   The blown off legs and a young man’s face
   that asked, Mama?” just before he dies pain.
   One day Doc picked up the .45 and shot himself
   in the temple, but nobody knows if the pain went away.
   At the graveyard, a 21 gun smoky salute.
   His parents were given a red white and blue
   triangle.
   People mumbled something about peace now,
   but they didn’t know if the pain went away.
   Life didn’t stop the pain, why should death
   stop the pain, maybe nothing stops the pain.

   Prayer For Peace

   

   Rub I Believe You Would Enjoy This, As Will Others!
   An Interesting Interview

   Friday August 11, 2006

   World-reknown poet and Tennessee native Nikki Giovanni joins us on this edition of Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins. Giovanni will be in Charlotte this weekend to participate in the Charlotte Literacy Festival (info on that at http://www.realeyesbookstore.com). Giovanni is one of the most widely read poets in the country, and draws on her experiences as a young black girl growing up during the Civil Rights movement. We’ll talk about her youth and influences, her writing and her views on Civil Rights then and now. Join us for Charlotte Talks at 704-926-WFAE (9323) or 1-800-603-WFAE (9323) or email charlottetalks@wfae.org.
   Listen Here

   Although tyranny may successfully rule over foreign peoples, it can stay in power only if it first destroys the national institutions of its own people.
   ~ Hannah Arendt

   “One has to stand up and speak out for one’s convictions.  Inaction at a time of conflagration is inexcusable.”  M. Gandhi
   Silence is Permission!  Wake Up and Speak Out.

4. 

   ask on August 13, 2006 at 2:51 pm

   
   3 explosions in Iraq kill 20, wound 70

5. 

   momagainstthedraft on August 13, 2006 at 3:25 pm

   What a beautiful boy…this mother’s heart grieves.

6. 

   BrendaStewart on August 13, 2006 at 4:26 pm

   I just say peace is ascertainable.  I want it to be insight for us all.  All of in the world that suffer the regrettable death at the hand of those who do not respect life.  Semper Fi marine.  see you when we begin to mend the hearts of those who do matter.

7. 

   Damnit Janet on August 13, 2006 at 5:08 pm

   Photos taken since W declared Mission Accomplished

8. 

   momagainstthedraft on August 13, 2006 at 6:06 pm

   From the Front page of the San Jose Mercury News Website.

   http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/

   I guess we are supposed to feel all good inside…”look what we did for this poor little boy”…all I can think of is “It should never have happened in the first place”.

   (((DJ)))…I look at Kurt Dechen’s picture and am reminded of my own sweet Matt with his beautiful smile.  

   • 

     Damnit Janet on August 13, 2006 at 6:10 pm

     Yup, same big smile.

     As for the once in a while goodness we do for a victim… it doesn’t outweigh the attrocities that are happening every day over there… and here.

     Where were they while Wesley wasted away.. while dozens of kids in Lake Co… wasted away on their couches due to lack of a basic need… Healthcare.

     That story is a bandaid… you know. It’s too bad they cut so much funding for head injuries for our own troops. Mothers are facing paying for their own flights to DC to get to Germany so they can see their child die.

     ((((Momagainstthedraft)))))

9. 

   shermanesqe on August 13, 2006 at 6:31 pm