As Iraq War Ends, So Does Years-Long Local Vigil to Protest It
Monday night marks the final vigil along Babcock Boulevard in McCandless in which North Hills residents have displayed their opposition to the Iraq War.
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North Hills natives hold vigil against the war in Iraq.
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Every Monday for the last eight years, North Hills residents have held a peace vigil to protest the war in Iraq along Babcock Boulevard on the grounds of Divine Providence in McCandless.
With the war ending, Monday night marked the last time that Pittsburgh North People for Peace and the Sisters of Divine Providence would come together to sponsor the vigils.
North Hills Patch was on hand to speak with some of those who have held vigil to show their opposition throughout the Iraq war.
Among the thoughts shared with us:
- Mary Sheehan
- Resident of McCandless
- Held weekly vigil here for the last eight years
- “The Iraq war just seemed so senseless and really brought up the whole issue of war all over again. We went through Vietnam and didn’t learn, and here we are again. It’s a sense of relief that it’s finally over, but it’s very sad at the same time—all of the loss over the years, all of our troops that were killed and the more than 100,000 Iraqi civilians that were killed. It’s sad."
- Sister Leticia
- Sister of the Divine Providence in McCandless
- Held weekly vigil here for the last three years
- “I always pray for peace but also for justice. Sometimes wars are necessary but I don’t think it’s a way to solve problems in the World. We need to dialogue and talk, find other ways.”
- Jack Sheehan
- Resident of McCandless
- Held weekly vigil here for the last eight years
- Vietnam Veteran
- “We got into that when we shouldn’t have. This is step one, we still have a long way to go . . . [To the American troops] I would say thank you. Thank you. They put up with a lot and made a lot of sacrifices. I hope people remember that.”
- Joseph Moffitt
- Resident of North Hills
- Held weekly vigil here for the last eight years
- “I saw no sense in the wars . . . there is still too much militarism in this country and in the world.”
- Janet Brink
- Resident of North Hills
- Held weekly vigil here for the last year
- “This war never should have started . . . Why should people be dying? I know they are defending something they believe in, but is that the only way to do what we need to do? We are intelligent enough to find alternative ways to solving conflict.”
Did you "honk for peace?"
Tell us in the comments.
ED
7:59 am on Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Looks like whole group has been trying to relive their misspent youth protesting the Vietnam War. At least for the time being they can get back to the senior citizen's centers. However, they better keep their signs because you never know when there will be another war for them to protest against.
Anne Kuhn
10:57 am on Tuesday, December 20, 2011
It is truly a shame that the trillions spent on war (as well as the banking industry under Bush's watch) have left all our young people scrambling for jobs and money for schooling. Those with more time have stepped up to say what has to be said, Thou shall not kill. Peaceful dialogue and understanding are the paths to take.
Carol Rosenberger
2:54 pm on Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Eight years worth of Mondays. That's a commitment worthy of respect. Thank you for reminding the world of this war which many have forgotten so easily while others bore the burden.
Carol Rosenberger
ED
10:52 am on Wednesday, December 21, 2011
"Thou shall not kill."...The correct translation should be, Thou shalt not murder". There are numerous instances when killing is justified, so God would never issue a blanket prohibition.
ED
10:59 am on Wednesday, December 21, 2011
"Peaceful dialogue and understanding are the paths to take."...If I recall correctly Neville Chamberlain tryed that with Adolph Hitler and it didn't work out so well.
ED
11:45 am on Wednesday, December 21, 2011
"while others bore the burden"...Just exactly who are the "others" who "bore the burden"? It couldn't be the members of the armed forces, all of whom applied for their job, willingly. If one applies for a job where the main responsiblities include killing people and breaking things then it isn't a "burden" when you are told to do that and you've got to expect that the people you are killing and whose things you are breaking might not like it.
ED
12:15 pm on Wednesday, December 21, 2011
"It is truly a shame that the trillions spent on war (as well as the banking industry under Bush's watch) have left all our young people scrambling for jobs and money for schooling."...You are entitled to your opinion of Bush, but the fact is he did almost nothing without the advice and consent of Congress which was pretty much split between the Republicans and Democrats during his administration.