Have you noticed the peace vigil that happens at Centralia’s George Washington Park every Saturday from noon to 1 p.m.?
If you are going down Pearl Street and look to the right just past the George Washington statue and just before the stoplight, you will see six to 12 people holding signs related to peace. The peace vigil has been going strong for 23 years now.
We are not a closed group and don’t have any requirements or commitments. Rather, we are individuals who see ourselves as witnesses to peace in our community.
The primary organizer and the most faithful vigil attender is Larry Kerschner, a Vietnam veteran. He is a member of Veterans for Peace and aligns with the statements of purpose of that group. Some of these purposes include: to resist racism and repression in our home communities; to seek justice for veterans and victims of war; and to increase public awareness of the causes and costs of war.
Others who have participated in holding signs at the Saturday peace vigil are motivated by our faith, by social justice and by our vision of a peaceful community.
People can and do join the peace vigil at any time. However, this is why I'm sending this letter now: Things in our government are changing warp speed, most of it harmful, harmful to the economy both at the grocery store and larger purchases, harmful to six million people who won´t get their AIDS medication, harmful to our friendly relationships with countries such as Canada, and much more.
Coming to the vigil is an action to take, doing something. I invite anyone to come from noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday and hold up one of the available signs or use a marker and make your own. Peace.
Carrie Aadland
Centralia
