Standing Up for America in the Hot Sun of a Red State

Scottsdale and Phoenix Arizona are no place to stand in the afternoon sun on a June day. The heat and light are brutal. The 30 or so Arizonans who stood witness outside Laura Bush’s fund raiser for the truly odious Senator Jon Kyl and held a vigil for Iraq casualties outside Kyl’s Phoenix office showed both patriotism and endurance. The Arizona Alliance for Peace and Justice, Code Pink, Women in Black and Veterans for Peace were at each event, braving the hot sun. (Those of you at YearlyKos who thought Las Vegas was hot, add a few degrees and stand in the sun for thee to four hours and you’ll get the idea.

We greeted the Jaguars, Mercedes, Lexi and all manner of Escalades (Chevy trucks at Cadillac prices), Navigators, Tahoes and other large SUV’s as they entered the Scottsdale Hilton. Laura came in the back way, of course. Like her husband sneaking into Baghdad. By chance two demonstrators were at the back entrance to remind her of reality as she rode by in her black SUV. Three Secret Service agents came out to say “hello”. When they asked who was in charge we just laughed. They were friendly enough but I’m sure they were checking us out. The agents told a cameraman to stop filming but he asserted his right to film in a public space without missing a frame. The agents, all wearing dark suits soon left for the air-conditioned sanctuary of the Hilton. I guess they found us harmless enough.

The fund raising crowd, when they looked at us at all, were disdainful, we are an irritant to their privileged lives. At times incoming vehicles were stuck in front of us as traffic backed up in the parking lot; the drivers resolutely stared ahead, not wanting to be reminded of the actual results of the war they are supporting. We wished them “a nice lunch while the kids die”. Scottsdale Road traffic gave us more than the usual number of obscene gestures and downturned thumbs. One guy drove by, head out the window, screaming at us across six lanes of traffic, red faced. On the other hand, we also got supportive honks, cheers and friendly waves.

Three hours later, we were at Kyl’s Phoenix office on Camelback Road to erect a memorial to the casualties. Rush hour traffic was much friendlier than during the lunch but most of it just passed by. Many looked but did not respond, people on their way about their normal lives. A bagpiper and three drums made us hard to ignore. The memorial is a strong visual, holding photos, flowers, ribbons, dog tags, other memorabilia and flags. It was behind us so most passing drivers probably did not see it. The memorial is portable and will be part of future vigils.

Toward the end of our vigil, a driver waiting at the light spoke to us. He said he had served in Iraq to protect our right to speak out and would return if asked. He wasn’t hostile but he was animated. He even stayed a few seconds into his green light to finish speaking. Between traffic noise and my poor hearing, I only caught a few of his words but I could feel his intensity; Edwina beside me picked up more. She responded with a simple “thank you” as he drove off. Not being entirely sure what he said, I said nothing. Later, I thought about what I would say to this soldier. Simply put I would say “thank you” (Edwina was right in her choice of words) and “I hope you are not disillusioned”.

“Thank you” is something a society owes to those who defend it. Security is a fundamental purpose of organized society, often requiring sacrifice. That leaders sometimes betray or squander this sacrifice makes it no less important or honorable. Those who serve warrant our eternal gratitude. I will make sure to thank them at every opportunity. I have been sincerely gratified by the many thanks I have received in recent years for serving in Vietnam. The thanks take some of the edge off my cynicism and doubt about my service. We owe that to our soldiers. They sacrifice for us.

That’s why I hope the gentleman in the car is not disillusioned. Our service men and women want–and need–to know their sacrifice means something. They deserve leaders who will not betray or misuse their sacrifice. I went to Vietnam believing that what I did there would not benefit my country and have long felt that the nation wasted m–and all others’–sacrifice in that conflict. Today’s soldiers serve with a more positive outlook but I fear that their mission is the same lie and will leave them disillusioned.

Today’s veterans were sent into harm’s way based on lies and deception. They are being used in a way that further endangers America and degrades our standing in the world community. The negative consequences of the Iraq occupation will burden this nation for years. That is no fault of the soldiers. They do what the nation asks. They deserve leaders who do not squander their sacrifice, their gift to the nation.


Cross posted at Daily Kos.