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Memorial Peace Procession at
Jones Beach on May 24, 2008 At Jones Beach on Saturday May 24, Pax Christi LI joined by the Suffolk Peace Network, Veterans for Peace, Code
Pink LI, LI Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives and others mourned the victims of war in a solemn peace procession on the board
walk. Stopping several times to read the names of the soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, 150 people marked Memorial
Day by remembering and mourning the dead. This 4th annual Peace procession coincides with
the military air show at Jones Beach. In the midst of a celebration of instruments of war and the recruitment of young men
and women to go to war, the peace witness calls forth the meaning of Memorial Day to remember all those who have died and
to save future generations from the scourge of endless war. From the start of this silent peace procession, the peace
people and veterans from Iraq Veterans against the War, were taunted by a group of ten war supporters. For them, patriotism
is endless war in Iraq. It is “victory” no matter how many more U.S. Soldiers or Iraqis are killed and maimed.
The war supporters were angry and abusive, jeering the veterans as traitors and the rest of us as communists. All along the
way, they were yelling, “Shame on you. Shame on you.” There is, indeed, shame about U.S. policies of war and torture
being carried out in our name. While sorely tempted to respond and argue, peace participants met their screams and bullying
with peaceful silence and witness. Amidst the war marketeering and recruitment, military planes thundered overhead. For a short
while on this day, there was a powerful presence of peace and nonviolent witness in a response to militarism and violence. Crowds observed the procession
and accepted our flyers on what is mostly just a day at the beach. And the war goes on and on. Margaret Melkonian Pax Christi Long Island Co-Director LI Alliance for Peaceful
Alternatives www.longislandpeace.org ******************************************************
Letter to the Editor ( Newsday June 20, 2007)
Bombers made sounds of death at show
The president of the American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport wrote to announce that, if
a previous writer was offended by anything that occurred at the Memorial Day air show at Jones Beach, it was because she "didn't
understand" it ["Cheers for the air salute to military," Letters, June 10].
I am part of no group and president of
no museum, and, of course, I'm a woman and a mother, so this might be over my head, but let me take a shot at it anyway.
Unfortunately,
I took my two children to that air show, thinking that they would enjoy the stunt planes. I had no idea that bombers would
mar the horizon, nor did I know that the military announcer would claim that one of these bombers was the "sound of freedom."
I shuddered.
I shuddered because the sound filled me with the certain knowledge that this "sound of freedom" was the
last sound a lot of other children have ever heard. I saw no honoring of any troops, but rather a glorification of war and
of death.
And I was deeply sorry I had exposed my children to this. But perhaps I just "don't understand."
Jennifer
Traynor
Northport
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
(LI Newsday, Monday, June 4th )
Air show mars Memorial Day
On this past Memorial Day weekend, as on those in recent years, the armed forces put
on a major display of military weapons and air power at Jones Beach. Recruiters from every branch were on hand, military vehicles
displayed and military aircraft exhibited their capabilities. Crowds and the media applauded.
I would like to know
how this show honors the spirit of Memorial Day, which was dedicated to those fallen in war.
I would like to know how
this show honors the young men and women who are dying and being wounded this very day while the big show goes on.
I
would like to know why the crowds are cheering.
Sheila Croke
Greenlawn
Letters to the Editor
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( appeared in Newsday, Sunday June 3rd.)
Remembering fallen heroes
Memorial Day reminds
us of the lives that have been lost in service to our country. This Memorial Day weekend, I participated in a memorial demonstration
at the annual New York Air Show at Jones Beach.
This memorial was organized by Pax Christi, Long Island Catholics
for Peace. I am a member of CodePink, Long Island Women for Peace, and we, along with members of other local peace groups
such as Veterans for Peace and the Suffolk Peace Network, marched in solemn recognition of the lives lost in the invasion
and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan.
CodePink has created a ribbon chain with the name and age of each soldier we
have lost. We carried the ribbons and paused to read the names of the dead.
The most disturbing comment I heard was
"these people should not be allowed here." That we were remembering the dead was lost on some people on this day called Memorial
Day. Freedom of speech is still, I thought, of great value to Americans.
The air show does nothing to remember or honor
lives lost. In stark contrast, it is a publicity stunt for the military replete with war toys and sign-up sheets from recruiters.
Susan M. Donnelly
Melville
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Dear Peace friend,
For those who were able to come to Jones Beach for the Time
to Remember procession, I hope you would agree it was an impressive and emotional event.
We are grateful to Brian Crowe for leading us with the bagpipe, for the
Long Island Veterans for Peace, carrying their beautiful banner, to those who distributed over 750 flyers, to John Phillips
and Rick Sackett for making a photographic record and to Code Pink for bringing the garland of names of those killed
in Iraq. The garland , painstakingly created, stretches at least 100 yards and was borne with great dignity by about
forty persons as we walked for over a mile along the boardwalk. We stopped frequently to read the names of those who died
in the tri- state area - over 400 names. The names were read next to the recruiting stations, armored vehicles and weapons
on display.As the reader finished, we closed by saying: "We hold each of you in our hearts, Presente! - We
hold the Iraqi victims in our hearts, Presente! "
Even though some seem untouched and in fact untouchable,
others were very respectful and attentive.
One Marine said his eyes filled with tears when he saw the ribbons. That's just
one person. We overheard many explaining to their companion, and parents to their children ,- those are the names
of the soldiers that died.
When the day is over and they are driving home , not only will they will
remember the aerial acrobatics, but the long. long line of names.
The beach is so worthwhile because we have the opportunity to put information
into someone's hands. So if you think of other peace actions we could do at Jones Beach or other beaches,
or public gatherings during the summer months, please send them in. Maybe at village parks where there are concerts...
And also if you have ideas of how we could improve the procession, please send
them as well.
Thanks to everyone for your peace witness.
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