Patch Letter: For Love of Country - Every Friday?
Patch user Tarik Trad asks for two local activist groups to stand together, instead of divided.
For nearly a decade, two groups of caring, passionate and patriotic citizens have assembled at the opposite corners of Honolulu and Ocean View Avenues in beautiful downtown Montrose to make a point.
Every Friday afternoon, pedestrians and drivers alike in our tree-lined, Mayberry-esque surroundings, witness a peculiar ritual: the gathering of a handful of proud, flag-bearing military veterans (and their supporters) on the southeast corner in a silent face-off with an equal number of lively, flag-bearing peace activists (and their supporters) on the northwest corner. Occasionally, drivers will honk their horns to show solidarity with one side or the other, but it is never really clear to which side their support belongs as the street corners are a mere 15 yards apart.
I do not claim to understand the rich complexities of their relationship nor am I trying to mock this delicate situation. While I have an idea why they choose to do what they do, I do not know if they have ever met or have spoken with each other. I categorize this arrangement as peculiar because, from my perspective, these two groups do nothing more than simply gather and stare at each other.
Don’t get me wrong. I am quite aware of the symbolism presented here. As a native Californian and 20-year resident of this neighborhood, I totally respect the loyalty and dedication on display. After all, these are my neighbors. The right to peaceably assemble is guaranteed in the First Amendment of the Constitution. While one side of the street may feel the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are unjust and the loss of American lives unacceptable, it is just as fair to say their right to protest has been maintained for more than 235 years through the strength and continued service of our armed forces protecting American lives and its freedoms.
I just find it heartbreaking that these two groups have so much in common – love of country and our troops stands out clear – yet seemingly find it more important to represent opposite ends of the spectrum than to look for common ground. In addition, I find their lack of dialog and communication both deafening and, quite frankly, unproductive.
John Wooden, the late UCLA basketball coach, often chided his players to “not confuse activity with achievement.”
While I do not claim to have all the answers, there is a great danger to let our disagreements divide us. There must be a way to end this local stalemate in a way that benefits our community and our country while also setting an example to the rest of the world on how to peacefully overcome our differences. If that means the rest of us have to go out on the northeast and southwest corners with signs that say 'Please Talk to Eachother,' then so be it. Whatever it takes to get to the business of helping our neighbors and making America better than ever.
Nicole Charky
12:52 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Thank you for sharing, Tarik. I think you make some valid points that I hope will encourage more discourse about the subject in Montrose. Maybe these folks should sit down for coffee or Froyo?
anni siegel
8:42 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Yes, thank you Tarik and Nicole.
The pro war contingent joined our Peace Vigil (started January 2006) a few years after we'd been standing for Peace every Friday evening, from 5:30 pm. to 7:00 pm. The Peace Vigil hopes to remind people that War is NOT an Answer. We stood together (with the Pro-War People) for a couple of Friday's. Rather than stand with us or stand on a different day, or at a different time they chose to stand opposite us...
And every so often we do cross the street to speak with each other...so thanks for asking. Oh wait, you didn't ask...
Jeanne Lavieri
10:25 pm on Friday, January 27, 2012
Yes, we have talked. I have made many trips across the street and had some long, thought provoking conversations. My sense of the purpose of the counter protesters is that they feel that we are being disrespectful to the somberness of the Viet Nam Memorial by standing near it. In fact, they even remove the flag on Fridays because they fear that our expression will harm it. They would like us to choose another place. We do protest in other places at other times. We stand by the memorial precisely because of its serious meaning. We are hoping that this nation can find methods other than military force to solve conflict so that we won't have to erect more memorials mourning the death of soldiers. We are very respectful of the meaning of the site. We would find it more in keeping with the constitution and the spirit of free expression to have the flag present when we are there. We have been bringing our own.
To say that the wars that this nation has participated in have protected our right to protest is an oversimplification at best. We don't need to destroy and occupy other countries to protect our constitutional rights.
It would be lovely if this venue became a forum for expression of all involved. And, by all means do come down to Montrose on a Friday evening and speak and listen to everyone. That would be a step towards making peace in Montrose and beyond.
Roberta Medford
7:44 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
Another interesting evening up at the corner. Jeanne (of the thoughty comments above) and I visited across the street to share this editorial and comments with our friends there.
The veterans at the corner are part of a local effort to upgrade the war memorial at Two-Strike Park; information can be found at http://www.twostrikememorial.org
Tonight during our chat across the street I expressed my wish that the war memorial, in addition to honoring the fallen by individual name, could also express a hope for peace, that no more names need be added to future war memorials. It would make a better legacy for the future, and, I believe, aid fund-raising for the memorial by broadening the appeal. (My practical side speaking!)
I wonder what other readers think. Maybe we will hear from them here.
Sharon Weisman
7:28 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012
I think it's a great idea. Much like a tree planted in memory of someone continues to grow, 'planting' the idea of peace might grow into a better world.