Iraq War Protest in Parkersburg

By Betsy Curry
Almost everyday we open our newspaper or turn on the TV only to hear about how more American soldiers have died fighting this sometimes seemingly endless war. March 19 marked the third anniversary of the beginning of the War in Iraq, leaving many wondering why we are still there. Each day another life is killed, each day another child is left motherless or fatherless. Yet the war continues on.

The Wood County Democrats and Young Democrats recently organized a rally to support the troops but not the war. The rally was located behind the Blennerhassett Hotel at the Bicentennial Park on Market Street, March 19 from 1 to 2 p.m. Speakers for the event included Marine Corporal Dan Wyatt, Iraq War Veteran Major Boggs, Kari Gunter, who’s son is currently serving in Iraq and Brent Baalog, President of the PHS Young Democrats. Those speaking presented peace and anti-Iraq war messages.

The rally helped to remind Americans who are literally disgusted by the war that we still need to support our troops. Supporting our troops in making sure they have the proper equipment and supplies doesn’t mean supporting the war. Anti-war protestors often associate soldiers with those supporting the war, and forget that soldiers are just following orders.

At 2 p.m. a protest march began down Juliana Street up Fifth Street and back down Market. During the march a 200-foot-long “Wall of Remembrance” was carried. The 200 foot sign contains the names of all 2,311 American soldiers that have died during the war. The Charleston Patriots of Peace group developed the wall; it has traveled around the state and even made its way to Washington D.C. The wall took around 30 to 40 people to carry. The Charleston group began the wall at the start of the war and has continued to add names as soldiers have died.

The third anniversary of the war also brought about many other unrelated ceremonies in or near Parkersburg. Reverend Jon Lands, pastor of the Fellowship Baptist Church in Vienna, marked the anniversary with a special church service honoring those who served and died in Iraq. Those attending the service received a ribbon and a card of someone serving overseas to pray for.