Candlelight Vigil No. 240, 10/13/10

"My husband's cousin served 3 tours of duty in Iraq," said a 30 ish woman as she briefly joined the vigil with her 5-year-old daughter. "He was in the Marines. It changed him."

She said he was having trouble adjusting to civilian life. "I hope he gets some decent counseling," John Fortier told her and she nodded her head in agreement. "He went for the 1st tour of duty," she added, "And after that he felt an obligation to his comrades."

This vigil had meaning to this woman and our discussion also had a lighter side as her adorable little daughter told us she goes to kindergarten, which school, the names of her teachers and so on, as she gave us a wide grin, her sparkling white baby teeth there for all of us to see.

In recent weeks, we've had one well received vigil after the next, and we don't know why. But clearly there are a lot of people who are concerned about the impact of these wars, as again last night we received many horn honks and waves of support.

The vigil was joined by a 52-year-old Englishman who generally joins and by an early 50's couple who often do. The Englishman said last night he believes Iran and Syria are planning an attack on Israel and Israel should strike first. He views military attacks as appropriate in most instances.

What seems to attract him to the vigil is we make him feel welcome and he is free to express his opinions. But he also seems sincerely concerned for the well-being of U.S. and allied troops and their families and views these wars as disasters.

The early 50's couple come as part of their walk and join us because they are concerned for all the people impacted by these wars.

With so much support and so many heads turning to see the vigil and read the sign, the time passed quickly and we ran a little beyond our planned stopping point. It was well worth it, as people were reminded of the severe price others are paying in these wars.

Hopefully as a matter of conscience, they will support ending the carnage and a commitment to caring for the vast number of victims, some as small or smaller than that adorable 5-year-old girl who joined us.

Dick