"I like your cause very much," said the high school boy in the back seat of a tiny white car packed with five teenagers. "I have a friend who is in Iraq right now," added a teenage girl with alarm in her voice.
"I also have a friend who is in Iraq," said the high school boy in the back seat. It's scary!" They were friendly kids and as they drove off waving and saying "thank you," it was clear none of them intended to follow in the footsteps of their friends who are soldiers in Iraq.
Meanwhile this week in Iraq, on Monday 4 U.S. soldiers were killed, as were 4 Iraqis and 25 Iraqis were wounded. On Wednesday, the day of the vigil, 7 Iraqis were killed and 25 more were wounded, as the death and destruction continues.
Imagine what it was like for the 4 American families when each heard their doorbell ring and opened the door to find 2 soldiers with grave looks in their eyes about to bring the worst possible news. Their hearts raced and blood rushed to their heads as they gasped for air and their eyes exploded in tears. Soon their loved ones would be returned home to them in caskets.
Then picture Iraqi families, most of whom will get the horrific news about the death of their loved ones when someone rushes to their door sobbing and calling for them to come see what happened. And if they do, they'll be sickened by the sight as they see their loved ones laying in pools of blood or as burned body parts, as the stench of death permeates the air.
In each case, the result will be a deep sense of loss and a lifetime of heartache. And for what?
"That's a bad thing," commented an 18-year-old as he read the sign. "But I don't know much about it. It takes the lives of soldiers 18-years-old on up."
"Yes," I replied, "and it takes the lives of Iraqis including their children. And it has made orphans of many other children."
"How long have you been out here," he asked. "About three years," I stated. "That's great," he said. He was bright and cordial and a pitcher on a local baseball team, who plans to pitch next year for Oregon University's baseball team.
As we parted company, it seemed a shame he and so many other young people don't pay much attention to the war. But thank goodness he is safe from it. I wish everyone could be.
At 7 pm a large white SUV pulled up and the driver blasted his horn in support. It was nice, although not a subtle way to bring the vigil to an end.
"What are you selling," asked a 70 ish woman as the sign was being put away. "Nothing," I replied with a smile and turned it around for her and her 70 ish male companion to read.
"How long have you been doing this," he asked. "3-years," I replied. "Have you done any good," he inquired. "Yes he has," said the woman in a firm voice. "He has kept the message in front of people."
"Yes," I added. "As a reminder so these people will not be forgotten. But there's more. Last week for example, an 8-year-old boy read the sign and his eyes opened as wide as tiny saucers. His dad then gently explained it to him.
"This little boy will remember what he saw and perhaps in 20 or 30 or 40-years, he will stand-up for a cause he believes in."
They nodded their heads in agreement, and with that I wished them a nice evening and concluded the vigil.
Dick
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