Melbourne "Peace Corner" 8th Anniversary of War in Afghanistan Vigil
Ray Myers
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Ray Myers
Peace Vigil
8th Anniversary of War and Occupation in Afghanistan
Nationwide Events Mark 8th Anniversary of War and Occupation in Afghanistan,
Communities Nationwide will commemorate those lost in Afghanistan
- both military and civilian.
Who: The Peace Coalition of Brevard
What: Peace Vigil -8 Years Of War In Afghanistan
When: Wed. October 7th 6-7pm
Where: "The Peace Corner" 1700 West New Haven, Melbourne Fl. (Just West of
the Melbourne Square Mall)
Participants are asked to wear black. No signs please. We will display two large banners and solemnly stand holding flowers. We will read the names of the Florida soldiers killed in Afghanistan, currently 51.
For more information about this event contact
vim...@cfl.rr.com or 321-720-3520
Please forward and distribute widely to your lists.
Eight Years Too Many
On October 7th, eight years ago the "global war on terror" began in Afghanistan as a military response to the September 11 attacks. We have been at war in Afghanistan as long as WWl, WWll and the Korean Wars combined.
Since the start in 2001, the U.S. has spent over $262 billion on war in Afghanistan. The human cost of this war has also great; thousands of Afghan civilians and more than 830 U.S. soldiers have lost their lives.
Currently there are 68,000 U.S. soldiers and marines in Afghanistan. There have been 190 American fatalities this year, the highest total in nearly eight years. This year's Pentagon budget for Afghanistan is $65 billion and total costs now exceed $228 billion.
After 30 years of war the Afghan people lack basic services, food, rule of law and institutions that can be trusted. The Taliban and insurgents gain recruits because there isn't basic security or jobs.
While public opinion is quickly turning against this war, the Pentagon and the White House are openly debating our current policy in Afghanistan and deploying more U.S. troops. We must push the debate toward a new, smarter approach.
Diplomacy and credibility will achieve success in Afghanistan, not air strikes, combat and a surge in troop numbers. We must not send more young people into an open-ended conflict.
Obama should heed the advise of the last Soviet general to leave Afghanistan when he spoke on the 20th anniversary of the Soviet with drawl (2/14/09)
"Afghanistan taught us an invaluable lesson...It has been and always will be impossible to solve political problems using force. We should have helped the people of Afghanistan in improving their life, it was a gross mistake to send troops into the country."
Retired Red Army General Boris Gromov
On October 7th The Peace Coalition Of Brevard will join nationwide demonstrations, memorials and vigils to mark the eighth anniversary of the war in Afghanistan. Join us in bearing witness to the human and economic cost of this war. We will mourn the casualties, both U.S. military and innocent civilians.
We need to bring our soldiers home from Afghanistan and Iraq. We need to take care of their needs when they return. We cannot afford these wars - either morally or financially.
Vicki Impoco
The Peace Coalition Of Brevard
WBurt...@aol.com
Bill
Ray Myers
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Ray Myers