To the editor:
On March 19, 2003, the United States invaded Iraq. The U.S. had already invaded Afghanistan, where troops still remain.
A group of Aroostook County people, who opposed the war and its cost and waste in lives and resources, immediately began a weekly protest on the Aroostook River bridge in Presque Isle, part of the Bridges for Peace movement.
This March 19 marked the end of the 12th full year of war protests on the bridge. Rain or shine or snow, heat or cold, and always wind, a group has been there to exercise its right to speak out against government folly. Through declarations of victory and success, through increasing body counts, through surges and other policy fiascoes, the group on the bridge has been a consistent voice against the folly of war.
Consider the costs [the source here is costofwar.org.] These figures are for the U.S. only:
• over 6,800 soldiers killed in combat. Thousands of civilian contractors have been killed as well.
• Somewhere between 106,000 and 137,000 wounded, injured or medically evacuated;
• $4.4 trillion, including projected benefits to disabled and other veterans. Much of this is borrowed money, but this figure does not include interest costs, which will make the total even greater;
• 970,000 veteran disability claims registered.
And what has the U.S. gained for all this loss? What has anyone gained?
The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are not over. They continue to be waged at great cost to the people of this country (and certainly the peoples of Iraq and Afghanistan,) costs that will continue for many decades in caring for soldiers physically and psychologically wounded by these wars.
And still we hear more talk of war: Syria, Ukraine, Iran, the transnational ISIS. Do we never learn?
Twelve years on the bridge is not something to celebrate, but we do honor the commitment to peace and non-violence of the many all across this country and the world who have participated in anti-war protests over the last 12 years. Imagine if everyone in Aroostook who thinks we have had enough war were to turn up on the bridge.
So we invite you to join us, any Sunday, from noon to 1 p.m., on the Aroostook River bridge in Presque Isle, as we begin the 13th year of this bridge for peace.
Steve DeMaio, Easton
John Cancelarich,
Presque Isle
Betty Dexter, Mars Hill
Mike Lyng, Lee, Mass.
Jim Fitzgerald, Ashland
