The Oak Park Peace Fair

MFSO-Chicago members Marge, Katy, Ginger and Gold Star Mom Rosemarie joined Georgia from MFSO Wisconsin at the Oak Park Peace Fair on September 10. The turnout was perhaps not as large as last year but perhaps it was due to the clouds and threat of rain that scared folks off.

There were several peace and political groups that had tables...and a few candidates and special political visitors stopped by. Code Pink, in lovely pink garb, offered to give Bush a "pink slip". We tabled right next to our favorite people Vets for Peace and Vietnam Vets Against the War. They had a tent (leave it to those military guys) in case of rain. Katie shared stories with people about her son Jason's long recovery. Marge took pictures (and more pictures - too many to post all but take a look at the slide show) and Ginger and Rosemarie greeted visitors to our table and talked with people - about the toll of war on family and service members. Rosemarie brought a picture of her son, Brian who died in Iraq after his helicopter was shot down by an RPG. The helicopter, used by the IL National Guard in civilian missions, was not armored for war and along with Brian, several others were killed as well.

Georgia was a featured speaker. And when she took the stage, the members of MFSO-Chicago stood with her - in solidarity. She spoke of her son, who suffers from PTSD and the lack of help he receives from the government who sent him to war. She also spoke of her friends...and ours who have lost family members in Iraq. We held pictures of a few of the many who have died or wounded in Iraq: Brian - Rosemarie's son, Stephen - Summer's son and Jason - Katy's son.

Along with the sadness we all feel when we gather, there was a tiny bit of joy since Georgia brought her grandbaby...a beautiful ray of sunshine in a cloudy day.