The memorial mile- 4000+ tombstones

[undeterred]

The Veterans for Peace chapter in Madison WI set up a memorial mile along Lake Monona in honor of the war dead lost in Iraq and Afghanistan on Veterans Day last fall. I heard that they were doing it again this weekend, so I drove by to see it around noon, and found that it was still being put up- so I joined in until it was finished a few hours later. In November the ground was soft and it only took 3 hours, but today the ground was dry and hard, so the work did not go so fast.

The veterans I met had served in several different wars; most of the ones I met today served in the Vietnam war. The tombstones are 5 across, more than 800 rows... when you are walking or driving by, it feels like they go on forever. They will stay up until next Saturday.

Madison is strongly against the war, so 98% of the people who passed by gave us the thumbs up. There were a couple who said it dishonored the troops- I guess thats the standard line for the unenlightened.

It was a sobering exercise. This only acknowledges the death of our own troops. Imagine if we put up a tombstone for every Iraqi killed as a result of the invasion. It would go for miles and miles.

Thank you, veterans, for your service. And thank you for working for peace.

http://www.madison.com/communities/madveteransforpeace/

[PeaceNikki]

1. Thank you.

Madison is such an incredible city.

[undeterred]

5. It really is.

It was great to join up with people I didn't even know - but who I knew would be kindred spirits. :hi:

[madeline_con]

2. "... said it dishonored the troops- "

Did anyone elaborate on that little jewel? :shrug:

[undeterred]

4. Not really

The vets try to resist the temptation to answer back - because of their dedication to peace! But the memorial is a symbol that everyone brings their own perspective to. Those who are not against this war can still honor the dead who served.

[uppityperson]

6. I wonder if the service at Arlington was dishonoring the troops too.

It is such a dishonor to spend time by their death markers. Extreme :sarcasm:

Next time I hear anyone spout that stuff, I'll ask them what they think about the Memorial Day service at Arlington.

[madeline_con]

8. I will make it a point to ask for an explanation.

I usually roll my eyes and try to get some distance between myself and "that type".

I'll ask them to clarify next time.

[uppityperson]

9. If you can do a naive, blankly confused look, that helps also.

See, little me? I'm soooooooooo stupid I just don't understand what you mean.

That sort of thing. Sometimes it helps.

[madeline_con]

11. I can paly the blonde card when necessary. n/t

[undeterred]

13. My card stopped working a while ago.

:shrug:

[But....]

3. ....

:patriot:

[PDittie]

7. I thought this was a post about

your ignore list being cleaned up by the mods.

A salute to our veterans. :patriot:

[ThatsMyBarack]

10. My parents live near there.

:patriot:

[undeterred]

12. The family of Rachel Hugo lives near there too.

This lovely 24 year old nursing student was an army specialist performing as a medic in Iraq when she was killed Oct 5,2007. Her great uncle said that she volunteered to go out with the troops when she could have stayed back on the base. Hugo's friends said she was the kind of person who would do anything for anyone.

[hootinholler]

14. One hour and eight minutes.

That is the run time of 4081 photos at the rate of one per second.

It should be a required slide show of every Federal elected official and the cabinet members.

-Hoot

[L. Coyote]

15. Imagine all the images from The News Hour in one video

And now in silence .....

[proud2BlibKansan]

16. Awesome!!

Way to go, Madison! Nice tribute.

[kmlisle]

17. Memorial mile in Gainesville Florida

We to have a Memorial mile in Gainesville Florida sponsored by the Gainesville Chapter of Vets for Peace. One great response from the community is the many many people who have turned out a four in the morning to help set up and who bring food and who bring food and help stand watch on our three day display. The project has involved over 100 volunteers. The responses are very much like the ones in Madison. We have had as least three families of fallen soldiers come to find their tombstones and talk to us.

Here are some photos of us setting up on Saturday morning with our local Marine Sargent in charge: ""
setting up at five am

""
The final result at 6:30am

for more go to:/http://vfpgainesville.blogspot.com

As for hiding the truth and not facing up to the consequences of what our leaders have chosen for us. That time is in the past for most Americans.
Mary Bahr, VFP Gainesville

[undeterred]

18. Our Vets for Peace got the idea from Gainesville Vets for Peace

Thanks for starting it, and than goodness for YouTube~!