Winnowed down our worldly goods, enough for two carloads for Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity. Dwight inadvertently put this scarf on the Goodwill pile, but I rescued it. My dad wore it while serving in the Home Guard during World War II.
Category: War
Unlearned Lessons
Spent the morning at the Minneapolis Institute of Art seeing the Vietnam War through the eyes of artists opposed to the war at the time. There’s too many lessons still to be learned.
Nagasaki Peace Park
Origami peace cranes, Peace Park, Nagasaki.
Remembering
Cycled through Fort Snelling National Cemetery, surrounded by 225,000 graves of military veterans and their immediate families. Later this month, a flag will be placed at each veteran’s grave marker for Memorial Day.
We All Win
Walked through “Little Mogadishu” (the Cedar Riverside neighborhood) on my way to buy groceries. As with earlier immigrant groups, the Minneapolis economy benefits from Somalis working hard for better lives for themselves and their families. We all win.
Wartime Presidents
Listened to Michael Beschloss, presidential historian, talking to a packed lunchtime Westminster Town Hall Forum about wartime presidents. He reminded us how presidents have started wars on a false pretext, and without the congressional approval required
Walking in Silence
Today I walked through a solemn space filled with sounds of flowing water, wishing for an alternate history that does not lead to this place. Circular route to entrance, water a constant theme. Underground. Concrete pressed with cedar panels. Bench. Falling water. Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims.
Walking in Silence
Posted Walking in Silence.
An Empty Chair
Posted An Empty Chair.
Honoring
Paused at Sheridan Veterans Memorial where plaques remind us of each war. This modest memorial honors all veterans and does not glorify war.