January 1, 2007
More
than 100 people braved icy streets and chilly winter temperatures on
Monday for a candlelight vigil mourning the deaths of 3,000 U.S.
servicemen and women in Iraq. The gathering, sponsored by the Coalition
for Peace, was held along O Street at Woods Park in Lincoln. It was one
of 324 events held in 46 states to express sorrow for the loss of life
among both Iraqis and Americans.
Behind banners reading,
"Iraq: Too Much Death, Too Much Suffering," and "Bring the Troops
Home," the mixed crowd of young and old received an overwhelmingly
positive response from passersby. Supportive honks and peace fingers
were frequent.
"Wherever one stands on the current
conflict in Iraq, this tragic milestone serves as a stark reminder of
the great human toll it is taking," David Orr, pastor of First
Mennonite Church, told the crowd. "The brave and courageous deaths of
so many raise sobering questions for all Americans. They press us to
courageously ask ourselves, ‘What are we doing?' They challenge us to
bravely find a new way that will lead to peace."
Participants took turns reading the names of the 31 Nebraskans who have
lost their lives serving in the conflict. "We cannot read the names of
all 3,000 American who have been killed in the Iraq war nor of the
countless innocent Iraqi men, women and children who have perished. So
we will honor them all by reading the names of the 31 men and women
from Nebraska who have fallen," Orr said.
Bob Boyce, whose
son is a U.S. Marine who will begin his third tour of duty in Iraq
later this month, said, "We honor those who've died, both Americans and
Iraqis. Words can't express how difficult it is for those affected by
the uncertainties" of deployment and the sorrow of the loss of a loved
one.
Both of Nebraska's U.S. Senators and Congressman Jeff Fortneberry sent representatives to address the gathering.
Don Nelson, the State Director for Sen. Ben Nelson, said that it was
timely that the gathering was taking place shortly before the opening
of the new session of Congress. He pointed out that Sen. Nelson will be
in a position to play a pivotal role in the Iraq debate as the new
chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee military personnel
subcommittee. "Sen. Nelson has serious concerns about the so-called
‘surge.'"
Thanking the vigilers for honoring the U.S.
soldiers who have died in Iraq, Sen. Chuck Hagel's State Director Todd
Wiltgen spoke very briefly. He said that the senator's stand on the
conflict is well-known.
A letter addressed to the vigil from
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry was read by his District Director Josh Moenning.
Rep. Fortenberry's statement said that in Iraq "a critical re-thinking
of all strategic options" is needed.
Read or view the KETV report on the event.
Current information on US casualties may be found at icasualties.org. Iraqi civilian deaths are recorded at iraqbodycount.org .