Note: Every Thursday night, my friend Dick Kazan holds a Candlelight Vigil in southern California with a sign that reads:
"My candle is lit in memory of all who have died or been seriously wounded in the war in Iraq. It is also lit in consideration of the pain and loss felt by their families." ...Here is an excerpt from last night, Vigil #64
"Impeach George Bush," the 45 ish man said with frustration as he cringed his face and shook his head. "He is pursuing his mission and I can't figure out what it is. Have we accomplished anything there?
"If so, I can't figure it out nor can I figure out why he is still in office." These words passionately flowed from this man from the moment he read my sign. As he finished speaking, he sighed aloud and tried to calm himself.
During each vigil, some people respond with horn honks and waves, while occasionally others feel so strongly about the Iraq war, they are compelled to express themselves, as this man did.
However most people drive or walk by without acknowledging the vigil. Yet for some of them, the sign will make an impression and it may reinforce their thoughts or cause them to question what they've seen or read in the news about the war. The important thing is to engage them in thought.
But there is a greater purpose. From the outset of the war, President Bush issued an Executive Order forbidding the media to show pictures, videos or film of the dead U.S. soldiers in their caskets or in body bags. To this day, most media outlets still comply.
This attempt at keeping the dead invisible isolates the families who mourn them for so often in life, out of sight is out of mind. We tend to forget and therefore the families don't receive the sympathy and support they deserve from our society.
And so when my candle is lit and the sign is displayed, it serves as a gentle reminder that people have been killed in Iraq and more are dying there every day. And for me it becomes an expression of personal feelings.
I recall Jose Gutierrez, a poor orphaned boy who grew up on the streets in Guatemala. As a teenager, he came to Los Angeles and was adopted by the Mosquera family. Living in a loving household, he thrived, made friends and became a good student. He proudly joined the U.S. Marines well before the Iraq war and his intent was to become an architect. Instead, at only 22, he was shot and killed, becoming one of the 1st U.S. soldiers to die in that war.
I recall Regina Reali, an Army Reserve Sgt. who was so "lonely and scared" in Iraq and was "adopted" by two 6th grade classes. She and they had such fun exchanging gifts and letters until just before Christmas of 2005, her Humvee was blown up and she was killed a week after her 25th birthday.
And I recall the Iraqi woman from several weeks ago, who with her daughter drove up to my vigil, and poured her heart out to me, as tears welled up in her eyes. She was deeply saddened by the death and destruction in Iraq and fearful for how many more men, women and children would die.
For me, the vigil is an hour of contemplation that includes prayer and it is a time each week, I hold dear in my heart, the people I referenced for you today, and many others as well. Perhaps in your own way, you too will feel deeply for the lives that were lost and for those who mourn them and in your heart, you will join with me in search of peace.
Dick
More Reflections from Candlelight Vigils at
http://saneramblings.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=2 
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