Soldier's dad: Support Dem plan

The father of an Army medic stationed in Iraq on Sunday asked his fellow Idahoans to support the bill up for a vote in Congress this week to establish benchmarks to begin withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq.

"It's hard to maintain morale with a lack of a mission," Frank Sesek told several hundred people gathered in front of the Idaho Capitol to mark the fourth anniversary of the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq. The Democratic plan, with its timetable for Iraqi action, "would present a mission for our troops." Sesek spoke on behalf of his son Colin, who was supposed to be coming home from Iraq in August but who will now be there through the end of the year due to the Bush administration's escalation of the war. He also noted that although Colin signed on as a medic, his unit is so shorthanded that he spends most of his time on infantry duties. 

Colin's mother, Ann Flickinger, began her remarks, "I'd like to say first of all I am not anti-military." Flickinger noted how she comes from a long line of military veterans and herself served in the National Guard from 1971 through 1994. She expressed dismay over the war profiteering in Iraq, noting how soldiers sometimes go hungry if their duties keep them out past posted mess hall hours, and how Raytheon has years left to deliver on a contract for hardware that the troops needed yesterday.

After four years of failed strategy in Iraq - and competing with a glorious spring day better suited for yard work or picnicking - this year's anniversary rally seemed both smaller and more somber than the one held last year. A bagpiper played, people held tombstones, and several men carried an empty coffin up the statehouse steps to symbolize the war's unending casualties. Colin Sesek's brother, Evan,  described his family's grief just yesterday as Colin learned that another member of his unit had died. Most Americans are now "heartbroken and speechless" over the war, Evan said. "But now more than ever, we can no longer afford to be speechless."

Above, marchers carry a coffin from the Grove to the Statehouse in downtown Boise to mark the start of the fifth year of war in Iraq. At left, a young girl holds a paper daisy next to the Liberty Bell replica on the Statehouse steps. Sunday's events were sponsored by the Idaho Peace Coalition and Veterans for Peace.

Comments

[Kitt]

Channel 2 had the most coverage by far. It was the first story that led. KTVB led with DUIs. KIVI led with, um, can't remember. Diane put the crowd at 200. I thought there was more like 300-350, but I'm not great at estimating.

[Julie Fanselow]

I think it was closer to 200 than 300. It was far smaller than in past years. I mostly blame the weather, but war fatigue is certainly a factor, too.

[Diana Rowe Pauls]

War fatigue? It seems to me that too many Americans are not paying attention to the war at all! I know that surveys are reflecting that Americans are unhappy with the situation, but on a day to day basis, it is a nonissue for the average citizen. The media plays a large role, in my opinion, when they publish the itty bitty article of the death of an Idaho son in section B or C, page 7 or when today's front page places the article about the local community college basketball team over the article about the war anniversary. Ask around and see how many of your friends/neighbors/co-workers can name one fallen hero... or how many Idahoans have died in Iraq... or when was the last time they wrote a deployed soldier or Marine (much less sent a care package!). Ask them if they've "adopted" a family whose loved one is serving in Iraq. They talk the talk, but they are not willing to walk the walk.

It's been a rough couple of months for me regarding the war issue, please understand that I'm feeling a bit bitter about Americans in general, Idahoans in particular, and how soon they forget the price some families have paid...

[Julie in Boise]

Diana,

You know, I think I meant war fatigue among those of us who have opposed this insane war all along, since the fall of 2002 now. I know I literally had to force myself to go yesterday, and many other "usual suspects" were AWOL.

And I think you are absolutely right that the American public in general has essentially forgotten that there's a war going on. Most of us have not been called to sacrifice anything but our time and dignity in lines at the airport - well, that and the loss of our nation's good name and stature in the world community.

Believe me, those of us here on the blog have not forgotten the price your family paid, nor that paid by the 3,000+ other families who have lost loved ones in the war.

I hope you get a good turnout in Twin tonight. Virtual hugs across the southern Idaho desert ...

[Diana Rowe Pauls]

Thank you for the hugs! I know that those of us who have connected via the "internets" (I laugh every time KO repeats that!) share my frustration... but it seems we are such the minority. I am looking forward to tonight... hopefully, there won't be another media snafu like last time!