Sunday, February 7, 2010

984

We are nearing 1,000 U.S. soldier deaths as a result of the war in Afghanistan.

A thousand U.S. deaths in a war doesn't sound that bad, does it? After all, over 50,000 died in Vietnam. Over 416,000 U.S. soldiers died in World War II.

I have a thousand postcards. Each will soon have the name of a soldier that has died due to this never-ending war. A thousand postcards is a lot of postcards.

Yes, 1,000 U.S. deaths is a lot. One death is a lot when it's your son. One death is a lot when you are a baby and you've never known your dad because he's been overseas your whole life. One death is a lot when it's your sister.

And the deaths are the tip of the iceberg. How will the thousands heal from the trauma of their experience in this barbaric drama?

Thousands and thousands of Afghan citizens have died. How will an entire country heal from the devastation that has engulfed it for so long?

This Sunday, Valentine's Day, I, along with other volunteers working with AFSC, will be hosting a vigil in front of the Colorado Capitol in honor of ALL who have died due to our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The 1,000 postcards - each with a name of a U.S. soldier who has died in Afghanistan, each with a message to Nancy Pelosi telling her "No more deaths, No more dollars" - will be displayed along the street in front of the Capitol so that passersby can see that 1,000 postcards, 1,000 deaths is a lot.


All wars are civil wars because all men are brothers - Francois Fenelon

10 comments:

  1. 253 British in Afghanistan
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8260060.stm

    179 British in Iraq
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8040620.stm


    Troops from other nations and who knows how many Iraqis and Afghanistanis?

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  2. Just looking at those figures and, considering the size of the UK, 253 is a lot ... but then again .... 1 would be too many.

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  3. Dancing,

    Thank you for adding the UK numbers. We could go on and on. At least 24 other countries have lost soldiers as they participated in the "coalition" in this war. 1,628 coalition casualties so far and more Afghan citizens than anyone wants to admit.

    We are holding this vigil with a focus on U.S. casualties as a way to attract attention, but we will also have the Eyes Wide Open exhibit which includes shoes that represent the Iraqi and Afghan citizen casualties. Perhaps we need to add many more boots and shoes to represent other coalition casualties and all citizens from around the world who are affected.

    The whole thing is insane.

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  4. If I were there, I would add one pair of shoes with one Union Flag (Union Jack) and a tag with the number of UK deaths.

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  5. Now why didn't I think of that last year!!

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  6. Hurray for you, Carol, and those who are also involved. I am with you in heart and spirit.

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  7. Thank you, Nick. I can feel your presence and support.

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  8. I guessed your post topic by the new photo in your banner. I'll be with you in spirit.

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  9. Thank you Goodnight Gram. I will think of you on Sunday.

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