If You Happen

If you happen to be in Holyoke in the coming weeks, be sure to take a moment to drive by the Lutheran Church/School on Northampton Street. They have set up a memorial to those U.S. soldiers who have died fighting in Iraq. The massive display of flags has an impact that numbers on a page never will.

Whether you are against the war or in favor of the war, I think it's important to remember that the war is affecting families all over this country--mostly the poor and middle class. While some praise the lack of a military draft, the so-called "volunteer" army makes it easy for many citizens to glide through this war without having to worry about having a family member in the line of fire. This detachment from the war makes it easy to take a stand for-or-against without having to make that decision with a sick feeling of fear and trepidation in our guts.

But, also, do not forget the many Iraqi people who have died, been wounded, and displaced from their homes. Innocent victims, inconvenient statistics of an occupation that's dubiously called a liberation.

I can't even begin to imagine living in a chaotic war zone. Let alone losing family and friends to this madness. I've linked to her before, but once again I'd like to direct you to Baghdad Burning for a glimpse into the daily life in Baghdad.

As you know, I'm not a political blogger, so I will stop here, happy to have written this but knowing there is much more to say and far more articulate ways  of saying it.