Dear Brother and Sister activists,

    At a time when it would be too easy to be thinking of Barry McGuire’s "Eve Of Destruction", I’d like to relate my experience of last night’s candlelight vigil. I mention music because that was paramount last night, and especially germane to my soul-enriching, and also tearful, encounter with a (approximately) 7 year old.

    While the wonderful singing was taking place, I first noticed that one young girl, maybe 6 or 7, seemed to know the words to Dylan, Guthrie, etc., and sang enthusiastically that we should study war no more, wondering how many roads, where the flowers have gone, and assuredly that this land was hers too. I really wondered if she was just kind of following along, but noted that distinctively pronounced enunciation which one gets in school – i.e. she knew the words.


    Then, another one was standing at my side, and asked what "that" was (referring to the boom mic being held over the circle leading the songs). I explained in pretty explicit detail, she asked a bit more. Then said, "well, it looks like a dust mop". Yes, it did. Which was immediately followed by her asking me if I knew, "Oh, Freedom". I had to fudge on that, because I knew of it, but certainly couldn’t sing it. But, explaining that "Oh Freedom" is the song she is going to sing at her school recital, gave me a bit of its history. And then came, "I’m sad. I don’t want a war." So, of course I cried.

    She, and the other young girl continued to sing, to check back in with their parents, to lift their candles with the group. Had I been asked why I was there, it would have been easy to answer. I could simply point to either of those young people and say, "for her and her sisters and brothers here and in Iraq." Before the evening was over, I spoke with her mom, and found that what she knew of the songs was learned at her Buffalo Public School. So, what is it with these schools ?

    When it was almost time to depart, I asked if I could trade candles, I wanted to carry hers next time, to remind me why I am doing what I am.

Peace, GB