Madison Veterans for Peace

Clarence Kailin Chapter 25

Memorial Mile Concluded ...but will we need to install it yet again? 6/05/2009 -Paul McMahon

-Paul McMahon photos

The Mile is gone, dismantled on Saturday, May 30th. Will it return next Veterans' Day? How many times more will it return?

Our deepest gratitude to the community for the assistance given by so many to install it, watch over it day and night, then respectfully retire it. Someone was present at the watch tent nearly every hour, day and night, for the entire week. This was in itself remarkable.

Despite the dampness and frequent rain, many stopped to pen their thoughts in the remembrance book. Here are several:

5/23/09 Just thanks for doing this. It's very moving.-Wayne B. ...My son was sent to Iraq. Thank God he returned home safe and healthy. Thank you all for your "service". God Bless all.-May S. ...Thank you for reminding us of all those that have died in Iraq/Afganistan.-Dorothy H. ...An important initiative!-M. E. O,Capt/RNON (ret).

5/24/09 ...Last year I took pictures of the memorial and sent it to friends. They were very impressed. Am humbled by the service and bravery represented here. A thought provoking display. Will share the photos I took with my familiy. Yellow ribbon tied in honor of Cousin Phillip.

5/25/09 ...Thank you for bringing to light the true meaning of what Memorial Day should be. Blessings to you.-MD ...Thank you for doing this marvelous work! Please take a photo and send it to Obama!- P. C. ...Thanks, a striking and important memorial. As a longtime resident of the neighborhood, I'm glad to see such a creative use of an iconic stretch of road.-D.C.

5/26/09 ...So wonderful, moving, and important!! Let's continue to hope and pray...-D. and J. ...Thanks for doing this.--Bernie.

5/27/09 ...Thank you for being the conscience of those who fail to remember the real cost of war. This was a touching visual reminder.-Daniel D.

5/28/09 ...This is a profoundly moving and effective piece of work. Thank you for doing this and all else. -Marna, War Resisters Support, Ottawa, Ontario

5/29/09 ...What an impressive and important work of art. It stunned me when I first saw it, and I'm glad it's back. Too many have suffered.-Andrea B. ...A very moving and meaningful display. It is too easy to forget the real human costs of war, when it is in another land. This brings it home and inspires us to seek peace. ...Beautiful. I cried when I saw this. Thank you for all you do.-Larry S. ...Moving reminder of the price paid for Bush's folly. May the Mile end soon!-Meg S.

5/30/09 ...Thanks so much for doing this. Our wounded and dead should not be invisible. Work for Peace!-Corliss O. ...I so appreciate your keeping the memories alive of all our people who have made sacrifices.--B. Sc.

To see the YouTube video posted by Madison Guy (our thanks) go to "Related Links" and click on the appropriate citation, or paste this address into your browser: http://www.wnpj.org/node/2057.