Peace Vigils - From Crawford to Boston to DC to the World
You are invited to join Carlos Arredondo as he and other Gold Star families (families who have had a loved one killed in Iraq or Afghanistan) in the following events. The goal is to build a foundation for peace and justice, not just in our own country but globally. Gold Star Families for Peace member:
Carlos Arredondo of Roslindale, MA, learned his son Lcpl. Alexander Arredondo, USMC was killed in action on August 25, 2004 in An Najaf, Iraq. It was Alex' second tour of duty. He had recently turned 20. That day was also Carlos' 44th birthday. When advised of his son's death, Carlos, due to anguish and grief, burned a USMC van and himself in the process. These images were broadcast worldwide and resonated for many as the ultimate anguish of a father. Carlos is joining the tour effective 8/15/05 attending vigils and speaking held in Amherst, Massachusetts. His aim is not to meet with the president but to have the public remember the war, a man made tragedy, that has in many ways impacted the security of the USA to the threats of natural tragedies. The leaders have contributed to this tragedy and so has the public. It's time to be involved and become a part of government. Carlos also continues to speak to honor his son, who will have Camp Alex named for him in Cambridge, MA on Saturday the 16th. We hope you attend some or all of the events listed. Events continue until Monday the 26th of September in DC. Friday, September 16th
11AM - 1PM
Visits with Congressional Representatives
2 PM
Meeting with Governor Mitt Romney requested
Speaking to students about "truth in recruitment"
Opening Night Event
6:30 PM Vigil in Watertown Square with the military families and vets (take the trolley from Harvard Square)
7:30 PM Forum and Welcome with all members of the Tour: St. John’s United Methodist Church, 80 Mt. Auburn St. (2 blocks out of Watertown Square)
St. John's United Methodist Church
80 Mt. Auburn St.
Watertown, MA 02472
Saturday, September 17th
9 AM
Catholic Mass in honor of Alex Arredondo, KIA in Iraq, August 2004, and his family
St. Thomas of Aquinas 97 South St. Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
All faiths welcome, no cameras in the church
10 AM
Interfaith service in honor of Gold Star Families, including local Gold Star father, Carlos Arredondo
First Church in Jamaica Plain Unitarian Universalist 6 Eliot Street Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 (tentative)
All faiths welcome
2 to 5 PM
Help set up Camp Gold Star on Cambridge Common and be there to welcome the Bring Them Home Now Tour when they arrive
7PM
Rally at Boston University Both Cindy Sheehan and Carlos will speak at this event
Law School Auditoriium
675 Commonwealth Ave For further information click on the following link. http://www.bringthemhomenowtour.org/index.php ***********************************************************
Bring Them Home Now Tour Asks Military Mom to Speak Out
September 15, 2005
I am a mother of a 19 year old 3/25 Lima Co. Marine serving in Iraq. One third of his Unit has been kia or injured. In early August after losing 22 Marines in less than a week, fearing for my son’s life and driven by conviction, I began my journey to change the direction our country has been going.
click here to read more
Central Tour: Pittsburgh
September 13, 2005
Today was the last full day for the tour in Pittsburgh. Everyone on the Central Bus has been extremely impressed with this wonderful city. It's rolling hills, beautiful bridges, and its 19th century architecture are some of America's best kept secrets. Much thanks to the David Meieran of Pittsburgh End the War, the Thomas Merton Center, the Friends Meeting House on Ellsworth, and the Sisters and caretakers of the Mt. Nazareth Center in Bellevue for making our stay in Pittsburgh wonderful and loving.
click here to read more
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Food Needed
There is an URGENT need for food.
If you are near Covington and can bring food to Camp tomorrow it can be immediately delivered.
As always, canned goods (vegetables, soups, etc) are ideal.
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A Success Story
Brendan, director of the VFPRoadTrips Forum, writes:
I received a distressed message from Sky, one of the forum’s more active members. She was worried about a young woman, this woman's mom belongs to the same American Indian Movement Mailing List that Sky does. It turns out that this young woman in Gulfport was trying her best to provide the community with the things that no one was providing and was worried what the future would hold.
I simply forwarded the known information, not much, to the fearless crew on the ground in Covington.
Their response:
"We are going there tomorrow... first thing."
No questions asked.
So here is the reply Sky just got from the young woman’s mom.
Sky,
You and all the people from Veterans for Peace made a whole lot of people, mainly kids, very happy. Thank you soooooooo much , i am supposed to tell you you are an angel.Carina called me just as i walked in the door coming back from SLC with kim, and she is ecstatic. Everyone screamed thank you all in the background, there are things now no one has thought of sending like Gatorade, juice and propell water, the people there are a happy community tonight, and the kids thank everyone for the schoolbooks.
thank you sooo much again.!!!!!
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