Blue Star Moms & friends honoring the troops
The following was written by Johanne Duchesne. She is a brand new member of the Blue Star Mothers of NH and attended this past weekend’s Gathering of Mothers in Concord in support of the troops in the face of the demonstrating antiwar protesters.
This word PEACE seems to have many meanings these days.
When one hears, “Rest in Peace” you would think that it is something being wished to someone who has passed away – wishing them an eternal rest, in PEACE.
But, then you have these “PEACE” activists who in their efforts to make a point about the casualties of war have stripped our soldiers of their dignity and of their eternal rest in PEACE. I am referring to a recent demonstration on the front walk of our State Capitol on March 15th. A Peace Activist group without permission from the families of our fallen soldiers saw fit to attach their names to pairs of boots and placed them in the walk to the front steps of the Capitol.
As a member of the Blue Star Mothers organization, I was there with other Blue Star Mothers, including two Gold Star Mothers and veterans in a show of support for our troops. The Activist’s demonstration caused the Gold Star Mothers much distress and anguish. One Mom in her grief ripped the tag from the boots and the other took the boots with her son’s name and carried them with her as we walked.
We were told that if the Mothers did not want the names of their sons or daughters included in their demonstrations that they would have to contact the organizer to have the names removed. By what right do these people have to use these names anyway? Oh yes, I guess that would fall under our right to free speech –which by the way is one of the privileges as Americans that our troops have fought and so many have lost their lives to defend. Ironic, isn’t it?
Johanne’s son, Jonathan, enlisted into the Army in 1999 and served 3 years with the 82nd Airborne. He is now in civil service as a patrolman with the Manchester Police Department.
Antiwar peaceniks dishonoring their memory (GG file photo)
