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by Sarah Goresch, Guest Blogger
My best friend's name is Tyler. His dad worked all over the world as an architect, and his mother for a small pottery shop part time; therefore, he was the family's main source of income. In 2001, he was involved in a fatal car accident on his way home from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and was pronounced dead-on-the-scene.
The family had to sell a large portion of their precious assets (antiques, boats, jewelry, paintings, etc) just to maintain a middle class standard of living. When it came time for his older brother, Darrel, to graduate from High School in 2005, the family had no way to finance him in further education.
Two days after graduation day while his friends were out celebrating, Darrel, signed up for the Marines knowing that they could not only finance, but also fulfill his dream of going to college. Months after basic training, he was shipped off to Iraq to fight in the war on terror.
Since his day of departure, the song “Letters From War” by Mark Shultz has being playing in their home twenty four hours a day, seven days a week (literally) and they will continue to play, as Mark Schultz says “until he comes home“.
December 22, 2006, Darrel was killed in combat by an Iraqi civilian. The moment Darrel was brought home via coffin his mother turned the song off.
So what is my point? My point is that if the Department of Peace is passed.
No. Scratch that.
When the Department of Peace is passed, no family will ever have to worry about whether or not their loved one is going to return from home from defending their country in army fatigue or in a box being carried by six military officials.
When the Department of Peace is passed, war will only be a senseless card game played by the elderly to pass the time.
When the Department of Peace is passed, every man, woman and child can
truly live in peace.
Therefore, in memory of Darrel and the entire Ceublla family, I will continue to do whatever it takes to end war; not just temporarily, but for good.
Make Sense. Make Peace. Make History.
“An angry generation will not bring peace to the world.. We want to stop war!” - Marianne Williamson
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