Siouxlanders gather to promote peace
U.S., Iraqi casualties remembered on war anniversary
By Molly Montag Journal staff writer | Posted: Thursday, March 20, 2008
Judy Stafford recites an excerpt from "Mother's Peace Day Proclamation" during theThe Siouxland Peace Coalition's memorial service to remember all those who have lost their lives or been injured in the Iraq War, Wednesday, March 19, 2008, at the Sioux City Wilbur Aalfs Library. (Sioux City Journal, Jerry Mennenga)
SIOUX CITY -- Local peace advocates say nearly 4,000 U.S. military members and an untold number of Iraqi civilians have been killed in five years of fighting in Iraq, but they vow to keep praying for a peaceful resolution to the war.
About 30 people gathered at in the Gleeson Room at Wilbur Aalfs Library on Wednesday, the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq, for a Siouxland Peace Coalition memorial service for all those who have been killed, injured or emotionally affected by the war in Iraq.
Nearly 4,000 U.S. military members have died and more than 29,000 have been wounded.
"That's 4,000 too many," said Sister Mary Lee Cox of Sioux City.
The service included songs, peace-themed prayers from several religions and excerpts from the writings of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and abolitionist Julia Ward Howe.
Although the day's service wasn't a political rally, some attending felt strongly about withdrawing troops from Iraq and ending the war.
Judy Turner of Sioux City said she has been against the war since the beginning. The United States needs to get out immediately, she said.
"It's the fifth anniversary of a war that is very sad -- the loss of lives," she said. "I don't want to have to be here for the 10th anniversary."
Judy Stafford, coalition spokeswoman, said even one person thinking about peace is a significant step in promoting the concept.The difference starts with each one of us, she said.
"If somebody started thinking about the alternative to war -- thinking about peace -- I don't think you could ever go back," she said.
Patty Redmond of Sioux City said she embraces the whole concept of peace, which she plans to incorporate more into her life. Although she said she would love for all the soldiers to return to their loved ones, Redmond said she would focus on the one thing she could control -- herself.
To her, that means incorporating peace into her life.
"My hope for today is to instill in myself more peace in my own relationships (and) my own communications with people," Redmond said.
Siouxland Peace Coalition formed about six years ago, made up of people who opposed going to war with Iraq.
Stafford said the memorial service was not a protest and the group is not against the U.S. troops stationed in Iraq.
Currently, about 158,000 U.S. troops are in Iraq. The number is expected to drop to about 140,000 this summer.
Instead, Stafford said, the group encourages people to promote diplomacy, question candidates about alternatives to war and look at the amount of money spent on the war. So far, the U.S has spent approximately $500 billion.
"Our group focuses on policies and the decision-makers -- not the young people who are doing their jobs," she said. "We're here to honor them."
Bernard Allassouma of Sioux City said he was thinking during the service of the families who have loved ones in Iraq. Many countries in the world are in need of peace, he said, including Sudan and Afghanistan.
"We should pray for our soldiers every day -- not only today," he said.
Allassouma, a senior biology student at Briar Cliff University, encouraged people to pray for peace and love.
"We need love in this country," he said. "We need to love one another, and everything will be OK."
-- The Associated Press contributed to this report.
ONLINE:
-- For more information, visit www.siouxlandpeacecoalition.com.
About 30 people gathered at in the Gleeson Room at Wilbur Aalfs Library on Wednesday, the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq, for a Siouxland Peace Coalition memorial service for all those who have been killed, injured or emotionally affected by the war in Iraq.
Nearly 4,000 U.S. military members have died and more than 29,000 have been wounded.
"That's 4,000 too many," said Sister Mary Lee Cox of Sioux City.
The service included songs, peace-themed prayers from several religions and excerpts from the writings of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and abolitionist Julia Ward Howe.
Although the day's service wasn't a political rally, some attending felt strongly about withdrawing troops from Iraq and ending the war.
Judy Turner of Sioux City said she has been against the war since the beginning. The United States needs to get out immediately, she said.
"It's the fifth anniversary of a war that is very sad -- the loss of lives," she said. "I don't want to have to be here for the 10th anniversary."
Judy Stafford, coalition spokeswoman, said even one person thinking about peace is a significant step in promoting the concept.The difference starts with each one of us, she said.
"If somebody started thinking about the alternative to war -- thinking about peace -- I don't think you could ever go back," she said.
Patty Redmond of Sioux City said she embraces the whole concept of peace, which she plans to incorporate more into her life. Although she said she would love for all the soldiers to return to their loved ones, Redmond said she would focus on the one thing she could control -- herself.
To her, that means incorporating peace into her life.
"My hope for today is to instill in myself more peace in my own relationships (and) my own communications with people," Redmond said.
Siouxland Peace Coalition formed about six years ago, made up of people who opposed going to war with Iraq.
Stafford said the memorial service was not a protest and the group is not against the U.S. troops stationed in Iraq.
Currently, about 158,000 U.S. troops are in Iraq. The number is expected to drop to about 140,000 this summer.
Instead, Stafford said, the group encourages people to promote diplomacy, question candidates about alternatives to war and look at the amount of money spent on the war. So far, the U.S has spent approximately $500 billion.
"Our group focuses on policies and the decision-makers -- not the young people who are doing their jobs," she said. "We're here to honor them."
Bernard Allassouma of Sioux City said he was thinking during the service of the families who have loved ones in Iraq. Many countries in the world are in need of peace, he said, including Sudan and Afghanistan.
"We should pray for our soldiers every day -- not only today," he said.
Allassouma, a senior biology student at Briar Cliff University, encouraged people to pray for peace and love.
"We need love in this country," he said. "We need to love one another, and everything will be OK."
-- The Associated Press contributed to this report.
ONLINE:
-- For more information, visit www.siouxlandpeacecoalition.com.
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Dick wrote on Mar 20, 2008 11:12 PM:
You Should Know Better wrote on Mar 20, 2008 1:40 PM:
Have a nice day. "
Bill Burkhart wrote on Mar 20, 2008 5:08 AM: