Vigil Report - Best Wishes

Many thanks and kudos to the stalwarts who braved the Solstice cold and dark!

Five of us gathered at the usual places - seems strange to be standing in the street before the huge Christmas trees that spill over the sidewalks. We did not see (or hear) any of the Troop Support group.

Got a lot of discreet toots and friendly waves, and one sporty mustang stopped while an older Purple Heart veteran lowered his window to say he was completely in support of us and what we were doing. Every little bit helps.

Let's continue to talk about alternate vigil plans for next year, such as Saturday noon for greater exposure.

For the last week of this year, let's continue in the same place and time.

See you next week, weather permitting.

Meanwhile, we wish you all a very happy Christmas and Holiday season, and all the best for a new year of PEACE!

Ted and Grace

Holiday Week Vigil

Dear friends:

We feel it's very important for us to Vigil during Christmas week and hope that as many as possible will be there tomorrow night...6:30, starting out from Town Square.
It will probably be quite cold, and a sacrifice during the busy pre-holiday time. But it won't compare with the sacrifice being made by our troops in Iraq. Please try to be there.

We also think it will be healing for us to share with one another our commitment to Peace on Earth, and the beauty of the season.

In peace and love,
Ted and Grace

PS - If you can't make the Vigil, we suggest that you view Heidi Mayo's interview on PACTV, starting at 6:00 PM.

Pillar Fight

Georgie is at it again: I suppose we should be happy that at least he's come out of his hole, even if its only so that he could tell us how hard he's been working.

And what has he been working on - why Victory in Iraq, don't you know: a detailed (as far as he will go at least), three-pronged strategy for defeating the terrorists, re-building the country, and spreading democracy. Kind of like a series of fertilizer treatments, to kill the crab grass, encourage the good grass to grow, and make the lawn nice and green so it fits in with the neighbor's lawns.

The 38 page report that they distributed today, concludes with several pages of what they call "The Strategic Pillars":

The first pillar is "Defeat the Terrorists and Neutralize the Insurgency", which even I think is an improvement on their previous strategy of attracting terrorists and ignoring the insurgency. Of course they just kind of ignore their past mistakes, and hope no one notices. "Heck," their spokesmen say, "this has been the plan all along. Honest!".

The second pillar is "Transition Iraq to Security Self-Reliance", which is a hoot: kind of like saying, 'transition the junkie to a drug-free mobile home park'. Easier said than done. And what happened to those hordes of well wishers that were going to greet our troops like Jesus on his way into Jerusalem? And you know how that turned out.

The third pillar is "Help Iraqis Form a National Compact for Democratic Government", which is awkwardly put, but I think means that we are going to lead the horse to water, and then make him drink, as soon that is, as we get the water running again, and the oil, and electricity. Once the lights stay on, Democracy is a cinch.

Pillar Five is "Help Iraq Strengthen its Economy", which is something I think we should have thought of before we bombed the crap out of every major city in Iraq. But hey, its kind of what the new owners of a sports franchise would do after paying the big bucks for the team: raise ticket prices, knock down the old stadium, and build a new one with taxpayers money, being sure to add plenty of sky boxes for rich sponsors. Right now they're negotiating with a major corporation for naming rights: not for a stadium, for the whole country. They were all set to go with Enronia, but that pillar of society had its own problems.

Pillar Six is "Help Iraq Strengthen the Rule of Law and Promote Civil Rights" and after they're sure that this pillar is up, they're going to try and do the same here in America. It's going to be difficult though, what with the way George has been dissing the Geneva Convention, arguing for the right to torture prisoners, laughing at the world court, hiding prisoners all around the world and letting the local Taliban screw with everybody.

And then on the same day that they offer up Pillar Seven -"Increase International Support for Iraq", it's revealed they've been paying millions to a contractor who pays Iraqi journalists to slip in propaganda pieces into Iraqi newspapers. Oh well, at least they're trying. And anyway, after Abu Ghraib and the discovery of the secret torture prisons run by our favorite Iraqis, I don't think they are really serious, or care, about their reputations.

And this was always, the report insists, part of their master plan all along. Even that 'Mission Accomplished" banner and George posing in San Diego harbor, were part of their brilliant plan for victory in Iraq.

"You see I was pretendin," George seems to be saying, winking and grinnin, and squinting at the teleprompter. "I was pretendin we had already won, to fool the terrorists in to thinkin they had already lost, to lull them into a false sense of security, so we could sneak up on em and hit them with this big plan here, and these pillars.."

"And lord knows in a pillar fight -at least the kind like me and Condi have down in Crawford after the misses is asleep, the guy with the biggest pillar wins every time.

Vigil Report, November 23, 2005

It was pretty cold out, but no wind.

Only 5 of us were present, but we proceeded as usual, though we decided because of the falling temperature to stop at 7:00. None of the "Troop" group were out when we began, but there were two on station when we passed by after 7.

My heartfelt thanks and appreciation to those faithful stalwarts who braved the cold this evening. One of them told me afterwards, "It really isn't very cold."

I'm proposing another benchmark to determine whether we turn out or not:

- if the temperature is below freezing;
- if it is raining hard;
- if it is snowing hard.

Please chime in with your thoughts and preferences on this, using "reply to all", so all will be aware.

Our very best wishes to you all for a wonderful, happy Thanksgiving. See you next week.

Ted & Grace

Maintaining Momentum?

Dear Friends,

You should have been there! It was almost balmy in downtown Plymouth, and dry, though the wind was gusty.

Only 6 of us showed up, but we kept the routine. We missed you!

The troop support group had about 10 or 11.

We have a good and vital message for our fellow citizens, let's keep turning out to show it in numbers big enough to make them notice. Let's not get lulled by sliding poll numbers for Bush and recent positive stirrings in the Congress. This will be a long pull, and besides our internet activities of petition and praise(where merited) we all have chosen to stand up and stand out for the ideal of PEACE. LET'S DO IT!.

Those of us right in Plymouth ought to invite a friend of like mind to join us, to swell the numbers and heighten the impact. We have plenty of signs, and Grace has made a trial run of peace symbols on poster board to hang around the neck. Our witness does have an effect - a young teacher from Norwood saw the Globe article and is starting a vigil there. She called for tips and suggestions.

We're happy to report that we have heard from "our" soldier in Iraq, with his picture enclosed. Brings it a lot closer.

Hope to see you next Wednesday.

Sincerely,

Ted

Vigil Report, November 9, 2005

Dear Friends,

Despite cold and misty weather, about a dozen showed up and decided to proceed as planned. Two had parked near Shirley Square, and we met and stood with them there. Some tested the walking option, and reported good visibility and reception at Rtes. 44 and 3A. "Troops" group was also out.

Heidi is happy with the response to her "Sponsor a Soldier" program, but we decided, at her request, not to go ahead with the press release idea, since the response to such wide dissemination could overwhelm her. Word of mouth seems to work fine, so keep spreading the word as you start writing to"your" soldier. Sent my first note today.

Trying to think of options for distinctive outer garb with peace signs to go over heavy winter clothing. One suggestion - homemade tabards, cut out of felt, with peace symbols glued on. We could all agree on a uniform color. Any other ideas?

In peace,

Ted

Pilgrim's Peace?

As many of you know, Thanksgiving morning in Plymouth features a wonderful recreation/ritual called Pilgrim's Progress: the slow processing of costumed descendants of the Mayflower passengers, from the waterfront to a spot on burial hill appproximate to the original site of the settlement's first fort/meetinghouse.

There, at approximately 10:15 a.m., the Pilgrims pause and conduct a short service of sorts, as they believe occured in the 17th Century: readings and psalm singing recalling that fist thanksgiving nearly 400 years ago.

It is, I think, a perfect place for a silent, peace vigil: a gathering of quiet, respectful proponents of peace who wish to complement this tradition, not disrupt it.

Depending on the weather, there are often dozens of tourists from all over the world at this ceremony and all about the town are TV crews and reporters gathering what is usually background information for their evening news stories.

Shouldn't the images that go around the country, and the world, include the friends of peace? Wouldn't this be an easy, and natural extension of the work we are already doing?

If you think so, please be there on Burial Hill in Plymouth that morning, and bring your friends and family. YOu will still have plenty of time to get back to your family celebration, long before the bird comes out of the oven.

Frank Mand

Vigil Report, November 2, 2005

Dear Friends,

It's getting colder, but it was still a fine night out there. About 12 of us were present, and were accompanied about half the time by a Boston Globe photographer. By prior agreement among ourselves, we proceeded to Shirley Square and remained there until 7:25, when we re-crossed the street and returned to Town Square, all without incident. Good quiet was maintained throughout. Again, when you bring new people to join our vigil, please impress upon them that ours is a silent, peaceful vigil.

The "Support Our Troops" demonstrators were on station as usual in front of the Post Office.

Looking toward the coming cold weather, suggestions were made to start earlier, but the consensus was to retain the 6:30 time to allow working members to participate fully. There was a suggestion to keep moving to stay warm and to spread our visibility by walking as far as Route 44, with a stop there, and a stop at Shirley Square on our return to Town Square. Your input on this will be welcome.

We're hoping that colder weather will not deter us from continuing with our vigil. We have certainly created an awareness in our community of the futility of the war in Iraq and the need of a policy for disengagement. It's worth the discomfort!

In peace,
Ted Curtin

Vigil Report, October 26, 2005

Dear Vigilers,

Heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all who turned out for the special solemn vigil in honor of the 2000 of our soldiers who have died in Iraq, all of our soldiers who have served there, and the thousands of Iraquis who have died in the crossfire in this misbegotten war. Special thanks to Rev. Sarah Clark, who arranged for us to use First Parish Church and who conducted such a simple, moving call for peace, and to all those who rose to express their own deep thoughts on the many deaths and their hopes for peace. There was a very nice turnout, which included members of the press. I was interviewed for WATD, but don't know when it will be aired.

It was a very moving experience.

Peace,

Ted

2000

The sad, but seemingly inevitable death of the 2000th soldier in Iraq was announced by the U.S. military today - Tuesday, October 25th.

As previously announced, and discussed in the posting just previous to this one (below) a special vigil will be held tomorrow (Wednesday) at 6:30 p.m., in the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Plymouth, on Leyden Street (downtown).

Please also contact your friends and associates - being careful not to offend anyone who is opposed to these efforts, and invite them to participate.

For further information, please contact the Curtins, using the information listed on the blog's description, to your left. Note also that a MoveOn-sponsored vigil listing has been established.

Vigil Report: October 19, 2005

Dear Friends,

Thanks to the twenty people who attended this evening. We all missed Ted who is recovering from tangling with a great dane though still in a lot of pain.

We were met in town square by Robert Knox, reporting for the Boston Globe South, along with his photographer. Mr. Knox interviewed a number of the participants.
In my conversation with him, I emphasized the absolute silence of our vigil and our agreement not to verbally confront the members of the "Support Our Troops" group which assembles at the same time at the Post Office. I was disappointed that both of these agreements were broken this evening by some participants. We were delighted that some brought friends with them, but it's necessary to emphasize to them the silent nature of our vigil, which was clearly announced before we proceeded.

At a gathering in the square following our vigil there was discussion of the observance of the 2,000th soldier death in Iraq: some of us are not in favor of this and we respect your choice not to participate. Those choosing to participate discussed the suggested lighting of candles. It was agreed the most practical way to do this was as suggested by Rev. Sarah Clark...that twenty of us stand with large candles behind a sign reading "Each of these candles represents 100 soldier deaths in the Iraq War". If you are able to be one of these twenty people, please volunteer as soon as possible. As outlined previously, on the day following the announcement of the 2,000th death in Iraq we will gather in front of First Parish Church in Town Square at 6:30 in the evening, with the candles and any signs we wish to carry. We will then process into the church for the peaceful observance of the event, which will include appropriate readings and meditations. Your suggestions are welcome.

Hopefully Ted will be back to lead us next Wednesday at 6:30. See you there.

In Peace,
Grace Curtin
(photo courtesy of Irene Caldwell)

Vigil report, Oct. 12, 2005

Despite the threatening weather, we went down to the square in case anyone showed up. A few did, and since it wasn't raining, and the wind was fairly mild, we decided to stay a while. As we approached M&M corner, a few of our companion demonstrators appeared at the Post Office and took up their station. they waved fistfuls of small American flags and carried a Service flag and a Marine Corps flag, plus a "Honk if you Support the troops" placard.
We stayed quietly at that corner until 7:15, when we adjourned, having had some supporting waves and even toots, and no adverse comments. It appeared that the other group was being interviewed by someone as we left.
Looking forward hopefully to better weather, but preparing warm clothes for next week. Hope to see you then.

Ted

Visibility?

Look to Heidi Mayo's picture from the last vigil for an important lesson: easily discerned by you, and probably by passerby during the actual vigil, are the bold peace sign tee-shirts, and the large lettering on the "PEACE" sign. Whatever we do, wherever we go, we should focus on that kind of visibility. Especially as we seem to agree on the importance of a quiet, non-confrontational procession, easily understood symbols are key to our effectiveness. We want to be seen, not heard.

Of course I understand that everyone has a personal story, a unique perspective on peace, and the other progressive issues of the day. But I think we should quiet our individual voices for the sake of the overall effectiveness of our gatherings.

I personally don't want anyone to honk for me, my sign, or my beliefs. I know too well how little is gained from what they call 'visibility' as it is normally practiced during poltical rallies. What I hope we could impress people with, to some small degree, is our quiet determination. Peace, I think, cannot be won, or secured, or accomplished: it is something that you simply have to accept, to allow, to permit. This quiet, consistent, symbolic vigil in its own way is granting permission for others to do the same.

Frank

RE: Vigil Report, Oct. 4, 2005

I worked late and was unable to attend. I think we should keep with our
route, not be frightened off by others. Perhaps a few honk for peace signs
will be one non-violent way to balance out the other honk signs! I have to
admit an hour is a long time for me to stand, so I may join for a half hour
rather than an hour. Sorry but I do have to pay attention to my body, and
long standing is difficult for it.

Peace, Sarah

standing together

Here's a picture of gathering last night.

The funniest thing about those "counter protesters" is that we agree with them - we support the troops, so we really were all standing together! It was hard to hold silence when this mother yelled that her son was in Iraq. The discussion would go something like this, "You want peace, don't you? Doesn't everyone?" On this we can all agree.

Outside the ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing there is a field.
I'll meet you there.
(Rumi)

Heidi www.peacethings.com

Vigil Report, Oct. 4, 2005

Dear Friends,

 

It's been a beautiful, "soft" night. Twelve of us gathered at the Town Square at 6:30.

 

As we prepared to step out, a group of people waving "Support our Troops" placards gathered on the corner in front of the Post Office. We decided to proceed directly to Shirley Square without pausing at M&M Sports corner, so as to distance ourselves from possible confrontation. As always, we processed and demonstrated in complete silence. Again we got many approving waves and toots from passing cars.

 

One pedestrian passed behind us three times, muttering something about 9/11.

 

At 7:15 we processed to the corner of Leyden St. across from where the other group still stood. We had no exchange with them, though they occasionally yelled slogans. A few of their signs say, "Honk for our Troops," which brought many responses. One older driver of a pickup waited until the light changed, then turned on his stereo with the Green Beret song as he drove past us.

 

All of us remained silent throughout, which most seem to feel is the serious, dignified, PEACEFUL appearance we want to convey, since we are a vigil for Peace and Justice.

 

Some of us adjourned afterwards to Bella Piazza, a small restaurant/coffee shop near the corner, and discussed our progress and tactics. While some favor a move to another location, to distance ourselves from the other group, others are for holding our place in quiet vigil, no matter what they do. We'll check out the lighting situation in some other high traffic spots before next week.

 

If you have any ideas or suggestions in this regard, please chime in

 

Sincerely, in Peace,

 

Ted

Peace Protest in Washington D.C.

My spouse and I stayed with friends in Queens on Friday night. We met our DC bound bus at 6:00 AM on Saturday. Thousands of peach marchers boarded buses from a dozens of locations in NY. Our bus rode around the march site prior to dropping us off so we were able to observe the lay of the land and see buses from from as far away as Alabama, West Virginia, Michigan and others.

It was an awe inspiring experience being with so many people speaking out for peace and justice and standing proudly together to send a message to the Bush regime.

One of the first things to catch our attention was a cemetery set up by Cindy Sheehan's group. Among the white crosses were pairs of combat boots with names (some had pictures) of soldiers who died in this unjust war.

One word about counter protest marchers; all fifty or sixty of them were scattered along the sidewalk in their assigned counter demonstration spot.

Peace marchers got verbal especially when they reached the front of the White House shouting 'SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!', 'MY HOUSE NOT YOURS', etc. There were sharp shooters on the roof of the White House, one was in a crouching position with his rifle pointed at us. They, like the counter protesters, provided comic relief.

Jeanne OBrien

(This post was transferred from an email message, and included many more pics of the protest in D.C. I will endeavor to post more, and to provide other means of viewing these images. Frank Mand)

Any Pictures?

I won't be able to make it to the vigil tonight, but I promise to wear my peace tee-shirt to the Red Sox game.. I'd also like to ask if any of the participants in the vigils have taken any good 'digital' pictures? If so, send them to me at Dogd@Aol.com, or post them yourselves to this site. Thanks, Peace Out, Frank Mand

a new banner

Here is my banner for military families for peace.


Visit
Military Families Speak Out

Visit Peace Things to get peace sign gear.

Vigil Report: September 21, 2005

Dear Vigilers,

We had a good turnout tonight, despite the absence of those attending Bridgewater vigil and those on their way to Washington.

About 10 of us gathered at Town Square at 6:30 on a beautiful night. A few new members joined us, and we had three veterans and the mother of an Afghanistan Vet now serving in Iraq. After reviewing our previously agreed upon route and silence mode, we processed to the corner at M&M Sports where we paused for a while. Continued to Shirley Square and took up station behind the granite posts, facing out toward the streets. After about half an hour, we continued back along the east side of the street to the corner of Leyden St.

There were no hecklers, and we got quite a few toots and waves of approval.

After breaking up, several of us adjourned to a nearby restaurant/coffee shop to discuss suggestions made. It was generally agreed that we should continue to meet at Town Square at 6:30 PM.

Frank Mand offered to set up a blog with the title Plymouth Peace Vigil, if it's available. Watch for an invitation to join.

Another new member is a source for Peace paraphernalia of various kinds, and we plan to ask her about getting Peace symbol T-shirts as a uniform. By this message I invite her to comment on size range available and pricing.

Before we left home, I viewed part of my interview on PACTV on the Rob Bielen Hour, and it seemed to be coming across OK. Rob joined us in the vigil tonight

Thanks to all of you who came, and those friends who joined you. Let's keep trying to spread the word, make our neighbors aware that there is an alternative to the quagmire Iraq has become: PEACE!

Ted

The Peace of the World

It is not possible to create peace in the Middle East by jeopardizing the peace of the world.

(Aneurin Bevan (1897-1960), British Labour politician. speech, Nov. 4, 1956. At rally protesting Britain's armed intervention in the Suez dispute.)