Once again our friendly photographer (Matt Button) at the Aegis came through! Our vigil made the cover of the Aegis in yesterday's edition (Wednesday, Jan. 17th). A HUGE picture with a very appropriate sign that gets our message out to anyone that even glances at the photo. Thank you Mr. Button for the great coverage!      

We had a great turnout at Friday's vigil. 52 people, and a lot of new faces. It is so encouraging to have our group remain so dedicated to the cause, and it seems like at every vigil a new reminder comes along to validate what we are doing. Many of you may not have known, but there was a wounded soldier at the vigil. He has been healing for over a year from gun shot wounds received to his leg. I wish I had longer to talk with him, because he seemed like such a dedicated soldier who is involved in a war that he knows we shouldn't be in...but as all good soldiers, he is compelled to continue on as his commander and chief orders him to. He told me about his friend who lost an eye and part of his face to an IED that exploded. I thanked the soldier for being at the vigil and I told him that his being there meant a lot, and that being as he was active military, no one would expect him to hold a sign of protest. With that said, he pushed up to the signs and grabbed one and said "Hell yeah, I'll hold a sign. We  need to get those guys out of there." ...

It gave me goosebumps when I saw the determination in his eyes and could feel the realness of the emotion from someone who has actually been there. It was then that I realized how incredibly lucky we are to have soldiers, such as him, willing to defend our country. Soldiers who are dedicated, brave, and determined to fight for their country and their fellow soldiers.  Yet our country is sending these incredible men and women into a situation where they are being picked off like ducks in a shooting gallery, in a country where violence is immanent and our presence there is not wanted nor needed, and is only inflaming the situation.   How can our country continue to misuse these soldiers and abuse their dedication in a war that no one truly wants? How can they send 21,000 more of them?

    So once again, thanks for being the "crazy peaceniks"  that you are. It becoming clear that the rest of the country is finally starting to see the light and they are realizing that we  aren't as "crazy" as they thought we all were...we've just been paying attention. 

    If you get the opportunity, please call, write or email your representatives again and tell them to bring the troops home immediately. If you're not sure who or where to write, go to www.just4peace.org and on the left side, click on "contact elected Maryland officials".  (To save time...type your  message on one email, then copy and paste it on the other officials' emails.) Also, on the website is a link for more info for anyone interested in carpooling to the March on DC on Jan. 27th. 

   Take care,

    Susan and Mike