Dear friends,

There has been much debate over the true costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and still the debts continue to mount up. Our communities suffer in many ways – economically and socially. But the real suffering is born by veterans. José Narosky said it best: “In war, there are no unwounded soldiers”. We do not create peace by blaming them and increasing the divide. Instead, we create peace by focusing on our common humanity, reaching out to honor them for their choice to serve and working to make sure they are cared for once they return home. They are our neighbors, our family members and our friends. They signed up for various reasons, and they had many different experiences, some good, some not. But all of them made the choice to serve in an extremely challenging way, and they all carry a piece of the wounds of our wars.

Next Friday is Veterans Day, and the ceremonies in Missoula will focus on the idea that “they fought for a place we all call home”. This year’s ceremony is important because Dan Gallagher has asked me to speak. Dan and I have spent much time over the last year talking about where we have come from as peace advocate and veteran, and how we can draw our communities closer together. This invitation is both an honor for all of us in the peace community and a big step toward bridging a gap of understanding. Listen to our one-hour commentary on the subject on KUFM at 1 pm on Thursday, November 10. You are invited to participate in the conversation at bridgingthegap.jrpc.org. And then, please come to the courthouse next Friday at 11 am to honor Missoula’s veterans, to support peace and to focus on our common humanity rather than the issues that divide us.

In their honor, a wish for peace,

Betsy