"Do you think war is working," John Fortier said, in response to people who tell him the U.S. has no choice but to continue its wars.
If the U.S. wants peace in Iraq and Afghanistan, "give them roads, clean water, schools and jobs," using the money being spent on war, he replies.
John, a Korean War veteran and a retired school teacher, is also a peace activist who has been holding vigils each Friday evening in Redondo Beach, CA since before the U.S. invasion of Iraq in March, 2003.
In honor of this week's holiday for Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday, John held an additional vigil, for Dr. King was one of the greatest peace activists of his time.
A group of teenagers read John's sign referencing "MLK" and asked who that is. As a teacher, he patiently answered their question, but felt it was unfortunate that it was necessary.
Last night's vigil, the one I hold, was abbreviated because of rain, but John joined it for about 20 minutes. Even with a light shower slowly soaking us and water spotting his glasses, he was there to be supportive.
Before he arrived, among the horn honks and waves, was an interesting sight. A 25 ish Middle Eastern couple in a small red car was waiting at the traffic signal. They both had olive skin, dark eyes and black hair.
He looked strikingly as one would envision Jesus, a Sephardic [dark] Jew, his eyes so expressive as he read the sign, deeply touched by every word. Then they both looked up at me and I smiled softly and gently waved. They smiled warmly and waved back, seemingly moved by the vigil.
As men devoted to peace and love, I believe Jesus and Dr. King would support this and other vigils and participate in them. They are gone but not their lessons which teach us to love and respect one another, to resolve our differences peacefully, even turning the other cheek when necessary, and to speak up for and help those in need.
It is quite a responsibility to do these things but necessary if we are to make this a better world. Peace vigils, conducted lovingly, are but one way of doing this as we each seek our path in search of life's greater meaning.
Dick
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