by Don Wheeler
I am thinking back one year ago to Memorial Day 2007.
The John Edwards campaign spearheaded a nationwide event for the weekend entitled "Support The Troops - End The War". The idea was to protest the war in Iraq, speed the end and also to honor those who had served. There was even a website with the same title which has only recently been reclaimed.
Paddy and I took a leap of faith and decided to sponsor a picnic at our home.
The website showed "balloons" on a US map signifying all the events for the weekend. As one scrolled over these balloons, some details appeared. You could then click on the balloon for complete information. As it turned out, we were sponsoring the only Memorial Day picnic in northern Indiana. As you can imagine, it was hard to anticipate what kind of crowd would turn out.
Never one for pessimism, I thought it important to have a good supply of food on hand. I went to GFS for a couple cases of burgers (they're good - by the way) and a case of hot dogs (so-so). I laid in chips, buns, plates and utensils. I had a microphone and a small amplifier at the ready in case the group was large and people wanted to speak.
Well the big crowds didn't come, and much of the remaining supplies were used at our church picnic a couple weeks after. But the event was very pleasant - populated by 20 -30 Unitarians and/or Edwards supporters.
As part of the event, I commissioned a lawn sign: "Support The Troops! Bring Them Home" and http://www.supportthetroopsendthewar.com/. This was done at the last minute, and in fact, the sign designer stashed the sign in a dumpster so I could pick it up after hours - which I did without incident.
But in one of the most unfortunate typos imaginable, the lower line read: http://www.supportthetroopsandthewar.com/ .
The sign designer of course later corrected the mistake and was extremely apologetic.
The corrected sign has graced our front lawn ever since and as I placed it back after cutting the lawn - I hoped to soon be able to put it away for good.
May it be so.
Monday, May 26, 2008
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1 comments:
What a timely post! On a day like today -- so much sunshine and breeze and good feeling, it's hard to imagine life in a war zone. We've had various anti-war signs up in our yard and on our very public (busy street) front door over the past years. I can't tell if it upsets our conservative neighbors, but I do know that whenever they put out yard signs for a candidate, it cheers me to know folks I like care enough to make a public statement about politics, even if it opposes mine. Those signs are one small indicator that people are paying attention. I like very much the way Don describes what it means to be an engaged citizen -- we need more of that, on all sides. That's how we'll get beyond "sides," in fact.
Now that I have a niece and a nephew in the military, and know other folks obligated to fight this war, I'm more careful than ever to make it clear I am anxious for this war to end for the health and safety of ALL people.
Hoping to make the downtown protest today ...
~ April
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