Missing News
Washington -- Members of Military Families Speak Out from across the U.S. held a solemn procession from Arlington National Cemetery to the White House on Saturday to bring President Obama the message that they want him to bring an immediate end to the war in Iraq that has already claimed the lives of over 4,200 U.S. troops and more than a million Iraqis.
Marchers carried flowers – blue to symbolize Blue Star families who currently have a loved one serving in the military; gold, symbolizing Gold Star families whose loved ones have died as a result of the war in
In a statement before the march, Larry Syverson of
Dr. Javad Razani of
Celeste Zappala of Philadelphia, PA said "Our walk from Arlington to the White House is a symbol of the walk that families of the fallen make everyday- we mourn and miss our heroes, our lives will never be the same, and we promise in their name to do everything we can to bring the troops home and never again commit to a needless war- this is the message of our feet and the tears in our eyes." Zappala is the mother of Sgt. Sherwood Baker who was killed in
Stacy Bannerman of
Paula Rogovin of
When the group of about 50 marchers stopped in front of the White House, many began to cry as they held up photos of relatives who were killed or wounded in the war. “To be a member of a military family is a form of torture,” one woman called out. “Dear Mr. Obama,” read a hand-written sign, “We worked hard for you and the CHANGE you promised. Now we beg you to bring our troops home. This is the change we need. It is too late for our Jason, but so many other precious lives can still be saved. War is not the answer in
The only immediate response from the government was issued by a SWAT team officer who ordered the peace marchers to move away from the White House fence. But another, more understanding officer arrived on a bicycle and asked to speak with one of the grieving mothers, who had previously been arrested while trying to lodge a war protest to the Bush administration. The bicycle cop’s diplomatic approach provided the group a bit more time to hold up their banners, flowers and protest posters as close as the public can get to the Obama White House.
For further information:
http://www.mfso.org/article.php?id=1293
[The media is asleep at the keyboards but ePM isn't- Originally Posted Wed, 02/11/2009 - 05:51 Bumped. CM1]
Comments
Roxy
February 11, 2009 - 10:36
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Jan
Thanks for bringing us this account. And thank for being there for the families. This is so tragic, and I agree completely with the sign:
“We worked hard for you and the CHANGE you promised. Now we beg you to bring our troops home. This is the change we need. It is too late for our Jason, but so many other precious lives can still be saved. War is not the answer inIraq or Afghanistan .”
Connecticut Man1
February 11, 2009 - 12:51
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And I finally
figured out how to bump and send to the top of the page... Took me a few minutes! lol
Jan Barry
March 3, 2009 - 20:43
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Still learning how to navigate
so I don't send what I want to post into outer cyberspace. So thanks for the assist to bring this article to readers' attention.