4,000 Reasons Why We Need Peace in this World
March 26, 2008 by Anna Farmery
Filed under Military Deaths
So this weekend the US passed 4,000 deaths in Iraq, no matter what your belief is about the war on terrorism and the war in Iraq..I hope that we can unite in saying that 4,000 lives lost, is a sad day. It is a sad day for the world when we send our family, our husbands, our wives to face the potential loss of their precious lives.
I just wonder when we as a world will learn that war causes such tremendous pain, conflict never seems to solve problems, and that we all as human beings should value life and find a way to live in peace no matter what our religious beliefs, politics, background or past cultural history. 
I know that war has been a part of life since day 1 however, I still don’t know how “intelligent” human beings can not see the pain we cause each other…how life is a precious gift that we should value more than death.
I know that war will continue however, I pray that one day we all learn to live together on this large planet that surely can cope with our differences… In the meantime, my heart goes out to anyone who has lost a loved one on military duty, no matter what side…the pain is intolerable and I hope that Widows Quest can provide some comfort and strength in your hour of need..
I grew up with my boy-friends going to was in Viet Nam. My uncles served in the Korean war and my ex-father in law was among those that stormed the beaches of normandy. And now I have sons, daughters, and friends in my prayerbooks.
I’ve kept a prayer book since school in the 60’s when one of my best friends brother Dan Lafferty was killed in action in Viet nam.
I remember the day like it was yesterday, I was over at her house listening to records and talking about when Dan would get leave when this brown offical looking car with a flag on the antenna drove up their long drive way.
Debbie and I saw it first and just looked at each other, frozen, and we ran to get Mr Lafferty to come into the house quickly because we thought Mrs Lafferty was going to need him.
As Debbie and I stood in the back ground two fully dressed army soldiers came to the door. I saw the color drain from Mrs l’s face as they opened that big old wooden door.
I don’t know what was said but they handed them an envelope and left, and Mr L had to catch his wife. As I sat silently in the living room, with the music still playing on, Mr L opened the telegram which simply said We regret to inform you that your son dan Lafferty was kill in action. After that I dont remember much.
Finally 2 years ago, I made it to Washington DC and visited the monuments and was stunned at the number of men and women who had given their life simply because their country needed them.
Monument after monument, state after state, name after name, statue afte statue, the number is staggering, and thats not even counting Arlington National Cemetary, or Pearl Harbor, or the POW”s or those left behind.
My heart was sickened. I couldn’t keep the tears from flowing as I thought of Dan. As I read thru the names and finally found Dan’s name I used my onion skin paper and charcoal to imprint it. As much for myself I think as for Debbie and her family. I haven’t been in touch with her since high school but when I do find her I am going to send he that etching to let her know I have not forgotten.
When will enough be enough? Financially speaking as well as homeland security our country is in serious trouble. I.m wondering many times why we are not taking better care of all of the people we have right here at home.
Recently, and I know this is a long post and Im sorry but I just gotta share it. Our reserve troop of the 167th finally returned home after 2 years.
As our community is very close knit, a hugh celebration was planned. At first I hadnt planned on going to it but as I was coming out of the Texaco and all the police sirens were going, I walked to the side of the street.
Flags were waving everywhere, and then over 100 of the FreedomMotorcycleRiders Club, ex vets. cam thru 2 by two, and then the busses began with the troops on them.
Before I knew it tears were running down my face as I was waving with all my heart. They had treaveled over 1 million miles in iraq, were in 15 combats, and many other skirmishes I can’t remember now, and God brought everyone of them home.
Now I had no one on those busses, i felt compelled to go to the city fairgrounds to just let them see that people cared.
The normal speeches were given and then the soldiner were set free. As I stood there, all I could do was shake their hands and say thank you, many of them just hugged me with the kind of hug that was a thank you for caring.
I saw families reunited, Dad’s that had only seen their child born before shipping out, other Dads home just in time for his sons last ball game.
They went, they served and thank God they came home alive. But the spirit of the Lord was definitely in that place.
I left uplifted and the memories of the boys I once knew that didn’t make it back and the ones that left as boys and returned as men.
I have taken the time to count and my prayer book service men and women containd 1899 names since Viet nam.
Why, what was the progress, I dont understand. We come to the rescue as I am proud the soldiers are willing, to countried that don’t want us there, and others countries like france wouldn’t lift a finger even tho had it not been for Normandy, fance would have been demolished.
I want to understand but I just dont. I guess what I really would like to know is how many is too many? When is enough , enough?
Like the saying in the 60’s ” All we are saying is give peace a chance” is that so hard.?
Jackie b
What a wonderful comment…I cannot imagine what it must be like, I cannot imagine seeing those army officers arrive.
I struggle with the fact that these people are fighting for our freedoms or lives….and yet the public often go about their everyday lives without giving these families a thought.
It saddens me that in a world that has become small with the internet etc we have larger gaps in our understanding.
If peace is good for all, why don’t we see it…yet another area that humans make something so simple, so complicated.