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
Friday, November 25, 2005
Friday, November 18, 2005
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
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
Thursday, November 10, 2005
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
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
Monday, November 07, 2005
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
Thursday, November 03, 2005
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)