350.org goes to the Sandwich Fair

On 10/10/10, we joined with old friends to make our statement and participate in the international Climate Solutions campaign 350.org. The day was glorious -- sunny and cool.  We marched in the 100th Sandwich Fair Grand Street Parade, surrounded by the colors of a New Hampshire autumn and the heritage of 100 years of an small agricultural fair in an early New England town.

We gave away seedling trees and lots of positive suggestions on how to stop the madness and become alive, responsible citizens of one world.

In planning, we wondered what kind of reception we might face. Too political for a Sunday parade? Dismissed in this pre-election climate of conservative rhetoric?

But the fair goers were of a more open mind and we, people of a certain age who have been peaceworkers for a long, long time, felt welcomed and supported and cheered.  I came away more hopeful than I have been for many years.

At the end of the parade, we hauled the earth back to our spot by the Mocha Rizing cafe. In this picture, I see us -- a small group straining uphill in the aftermath of the show, getting back to work and the next phase -- because this is work that is never done.

October 15, 1969: Moratorium March

October 15, 1969.  Millions marched to protest the Vietnam War.

Forty-one years ago today, I was working at a radio station, recently graduated from college and married for just a month.  Barry and Rob marched in parades held in Springfield and Amherst, Massachusetts.  I burned a candle at my desk.

What we didn't know then was the war would last 6 more years.  The following May, students would be killed at Kent State by Ohio National Guards.  We still had to look forward to Nixon, Watergate, a draft lottery, and more war.

My friend Michael was already dead by October 15, '69.  Johnny was not.  He was alive that day, but not for long.