GfP Newsletter March 2008

Dear GFP member and supporter,

Today is Saturday, Feb. 15th, the 75th day of 2008. There are 201 days left in the year.

Did you know this is "Buzzard Day"? The day the buzzards return to Hinckley, Ohio.
Trivia, yes.

But there are highlights on Feb. 15th in history: The most recent was today's funeral march that our anti-war peace groups (PPJ - People for Peace & Justice), GFP (Grandparents for Peace) and Vets for Peace) carried out on St. Augustine's busiest tourist street downtown (St. George Street) and along the Bayfront. A coffin, draped with the American flag, was carried by four black-robed persons, accompanied by solemn drumming. There were signs, of course, and flyers, and NO arrests. Tomorrow we will have the coffin and flyers about the Winter Soldier project on the sidewalk outside of the Cathedral. Hopefully NO arrests. And Wednesday evening, from 5-7, we will be at the Gazebo in the Plaza de la Costituzione
with a silent vigil reminding everyone that 5 years ago, the U.S.A. began the immoral war against Iraq -- a war not only based on lies, but continued with lies and deliberate misinformation. When will it ever end?

Some interesting historic events:

On March 15, 44 B.C Julius Caesar was assassinated by a group of nobles that included Brutus and Cassius.

On this date:

In 1493, Crhistopher Columbus returned to Spain, clncluding his first voyage to the Western Hemisphere.

In l920, Maine became the 20th state.

In 1943, President Wilson met with reporters for what has been described as the first presidential press conference.

In l956, the Lerner and Loewe musical "My Fair Lady" opened on Broadway.

In l964, Elizabeth Taylor married Richard Burton. It was her 5th marriage, his 2nd.

Ten years ago, Dr. Benjamin Spock, whose child care guidance spanned half a century, died in San Diego at age 94.

Five years ago, protesters in Washington, D.C. and around the world, demonstrated against plans for a war with Iraq.

One year ago, in the Senate, Republicans easily turned back Democratic legislation requiring a troop withdrawal from Iraq to begin within l20 days.

When will the Iraq war ever end?

What can you do to stop the war? Stay informed. Talk to your elected officials. Write letters to your local newspaper. Vote for Obama. He is not the perfect idealist by any means, but (in my opinion) he will do the most to slow down the military industrial complex, to convert it to environmentally sustainable production, to prevent a new arms race, and to heal our domestic and foreign policies. (Obama for America, P.O.B. 892708, Chicago, IL 60680.)

On the legislative front, the National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund - 501c(4) remains a priority for me. Melani Hom, the Communication & Outreach Director, says: " I challenge you to reflect on your religious and/or ethical beliefs, and begin to continue to live out what you believe as true. Through your financial support, you can help us establish vocal strength, a powerful reputation and a realistic angle to achieve our goals." (Address: 2121 Decator Place NW, Washington, DC 20008.)

Have I told you about The Smile Train? It works in desperaly poor countries, like Ethiopia, Inner Mongolia, Rwanda, Bangladesh and Peru, where hundreds of millions of families live on less than $1 a day, Working with local doctors and hospitals, the Smile Train provides free nedical equipment,\and free training. The Smile Train performs free cleft lip or palate surgery on children in these countries, where, in as little as 45 minutes, a child can be given a new smile and a life without shame and suffering. (Address: 26 Fifth Avenue, NYC, NY l0016.)

The Helen Keller Foundation Int'l is the world's foremost non-pofit organization working to prevent blindness and malnutrition. It is a heartbreaking reality that up to 500,000 children go blind each year beause of vitamin A deficiency; 70% of them die within one year of losing their sight. A child goes blind every minute; an adult every 5 seconds. Yet for only $l per year, the HKF saves sight and lives through massive community-based distribution systems.

More than 600 HKL professionals and volunteers work in 23 countries on 3 continents, reaching tens of millions of people every year. (Address: 351 Park Ave.S, NYC,NY. l00l0.)

We have had two outstanding concerts in St. Augustine. The first, a delightful husband and wife, the Castelbays. I met them last summer at the Elderhostel at Campobello. Julia plays a Celtic harp, and Fred plays guitar, fiddle, and woodwinds: "a musical journey through time and across the Atlantic, blending the timelss trad itions of Maine's nautical legacy and its poignant Celtic heritage." They will be back again next spring. Contact me if you would like them to perform in your community.

The second was the internationally famous Anne Feeney, life-long "union maid" labor and peace activist, with an absolutely unique voice and a limitless inspiring repertoire.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Ides of March, Winter Soldier, and soon -- Easter.

Peg