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Editorial: Peace Ad Sparks Response

By Cathy Anderson

In two issues of November’s Newton Kansan, Peace Connections included a small ad on a page dedicated to the efforts of people in the U.S. armed forces. The first ad had a message ("Peace be with you") which the Kansan inadvertently left out. The second ad had a message that prompted some readers to contact us.

The message was "We wish to say thank you to the men and women who have served.  Without your efforts and conviction we would not have many of the freedoms we have today."

Later, I heard that the ad had generated criticism. I thought that militarists were angry that we were reminding soldiers that they fight for the rights of peaceniks, but I was 180 degrees wrong. People—specifically, Mennonites--thought Peace Connections had compromised its principles by showing support for militarists. For every person who called, I’m sure there were many more who had a reaction but did not express it.

Well. The ad could have been worded less ambiguously; perhaps, "We respect the sacrifices made by these brave men and women." We believe that peace-making is most effective when we separate the position from the individual, and respect individuals even as we encourage them to change their position.

One person who strongly objected to the wording of the original ad, although she supported the intended message of Peace Connections, took the time to explain her view and provide context for it in the following story:

[As a nurse], I often care for veterans.  In the military, especially WW2, they encouraged the men to smoke, even issued them free cigarettes.  They told them it would help their nerves, and especially made them smoke to cover up odors when they were burying bodies and digging latrines.  They kept on smoking when they got back home, and most of them have terrible lung diseases as a result. I have held many a hand of a slowly dying veteran, and I've heard many war stories.  Although the hairs on my pacifist neck stand on end, I've learned to listen with genuine respect and caring for the individual, but I never forget WHO I AM.

When I read this person’s email, I felt such gratitude. What could have been an angry flame that kindled anger within me became, instead, a peace connection. I understood her view, I learned something about a group of people that I don’t normally get to talk to, and I was given a model for explaining my position on "difficult" issues with respect and clarity.

I hope that this story encourages you to share your views about the activities and focus of Peace Connections. Don’t assume we know! We seek opportunities to listen and talk with all kinds of people.