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Circle of Peace Urges: ‘War No More’

Musicians and speakers gathered in “A Circle of Peace” with veterans and their families on March 8 in El Paso’s Memorial Park to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. The annual event, co-sponsored by Pax Christi, Sisters’ Witness Against War, and Border Peace Presence, attracted more than 100 people to hear original music, sing classic anthems, and both observe and participate in an expression of the anguish that always accompanies war.

Periods of silent reflection punctuated the poetry, prose, and musical statements. In a solemn ceremony, the names of those from El Paso and Ft. Bliss taken by this war were read, as a candle was lit for each and placed in a memorial arrangement.

The regional commemoration was among the earliest in the nation to remind Americans that people are still being killed, wounded, and displaced in Iraq. National groups are independently organizing gatherings in many communities under the general theme of “Five Years Too Many.” The actual date of the fifth anniversary of the invasion is March 19.

The event featured well-known speakers Jose Rodriquez, Hal Marcus, and Raul Amaya. Original music was performed by Renee Borsberry, Gene Keller, and Steve Klinger and Kathy Meyer. Standard versions of “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “Study War No More” invited good participation, with only a little help required from provided song sheets. Friar Vince Peterson led a prayerful rendition of the “Prayer of St. Francis” (Make me a channel of your peace…), and people were encouraged to call out the names of friends or family members who were, or had been, in Iraq or any war. Thoughtful commentary from Michael Reese and a moving appeal to young people by Rick Avalos were notable parts of the program. Father Denny O’Mara read his poetry to a very attentive group of listeners.

The bounds of demarcation between “shared experiences” and things that are “deeply personal,” are usually boundaries of restraint and separation. In the “Circle of Peace,” those distinctions vanished, as many people of diverse perspective came together to see the reality of our common humanity, and to say again, “War no more.”

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