Last night Jen, my Dad, and I joined more than 100 fellow residents in a peaceful candlelight vigil to honor the 2,000 American troops killed in Iraq, as well as the 30,000 Iraqis killed, and countless others who have been maimed physically and emotionally by this avoidable and pointless war. We gathered outside the Post Office on Broadway and walked in solidarity to the war memorial and then the Spirit of Life Statue in Congress Park. It was a somber yet important event, and the least I can do to show my support for the troops who continue to put their lives at risk in this war. I wonder if the impatient assholes sitting in their SUVs blaring their horns while our procession crossed the street in front of them — not to be confused with the array of single-honk supporters — really support the troops, as all those yellow magnet ribbons claim?
For a small town, Saratoga had a really impressive turnout. Local TV and newspaper media covered the event. If you look really closely, you can see all three of us in both photos on page A3 of the Saratogian today. And the local ABC affiliate (News 10) started its segment last night with a close-up of my right hand lighting my Dad’s candle, while Jen’s hand shielded the flame from the wind. Later in the segment, there’s a clear shot of the three of us walking down Broadway (above photo).
