Timing is everything along with location, location, location. Either way, thanks for being around, Woody. You served well and are an inspiration for truth seekers and humans trying to advance beyond war you experienced in Korea and towards nonmilitary solutions for Earthly challenges.
You caught me at the right time, somewhere around bottom. Chances are I would have been too busy or preoccupied elsewhere otherwise. Dead serious, I came out the better for us, and maybe you and others did too.
You stuck around to 93 until I stuck around St Louis long enough for us to spend a little time together. We met largely by happenstance, when 350STL changed plans from organizing a 350.org global power up climate solutions event in a busy shopping district to joining the St Louis Veterans Day parade with Veterans for Peace.
It didn't make sense. I didn't want to drive downtown for climate. I didn't know if me and Busta would be welcome. If we did go, I knew we would take a much needed power up climate solutions message.
I decided to go to meet 350STL organizers, but only after favorable relations and good work in the early aughts with the State College Peace Center and VFP members such as Peter Shaw around Penn State. If we had not been there in 2003, then I would have skipped the 2023 parade.
Me and Busta joined 350STL to walk in solidarity with Veterans for Peace at the 2023 St Louis Veterans Day parade. That's where we met 350STL organizer Rita and Veterans for Peace Chapter 61 St Louis members and family Woody, Joan, Charlie, Mary, Bob, Barb Tom, Reese, and possibly others I forget.
You told me that you served in Korea, Woody. Other members there had been on active duty during their own service terms in the later third of the 21st century. Since that parade, others have also been working closely with VFP chapter 61, including veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.
I mentioned being active in Missouri and Pennsylvania peace communities, and soon learned that we both knew Charlie Atkins and Peter Shaw from VFP and associated organizations. Charlie was a close friend of yours, while he was more of a taskmaster for me when I was a deadhead hippie part time office manager for Peace Studies at Mizzou. Peter and I became friends when I was a Penn State graduate student member of State College Peace Center.
March 2003, Iraq war protest, Peter Shaw skirled his bagpipes on each occasion but one; when he joined the delegation to the Korean War memorial. There we laid our arms on each others' shoulders and kept a short silence
Over the course of half a lifetime of peace work, you, Peter, Charlie, and numerous others with Veterans for Peace acted in our home towns, worked with allies and adversaries across the globe, and authored significant international initiatives, such as seeking an ending to our war with North Korea. I’m glad to help out some and work with wonderful people such as you, Peter and Charlie as I’ve traveled from academic post to post.
We learned that you served with dog Bodo in a K9 unit in Korea. Bodo was steadfast and trustworthy. He saved you many times in dangerous patrol work. It was very difficult to part with him up at the end of his tour. When Busta and I showed up 7 decades later, you were very kind and accepting of each of us. Busta is serving very well for us at this time. He saved me too.
You and Joan also told us about how Veterans for Peace is active in raising awareness of militarism impacts on climate. You two have been strong advocates for acting for a livable climate.
It might have been the last parade that you walked, Woody, though I know that you rode in at least one more. It was my first time walking a Veterans Day parade. Walking with VFP Chapter 61 is among my highest honors.
Everybody in VFPC61 was very nice to us. Not all veterans groups would welcome a new participant and his dog jumping in at the start of a parade.
Busta had me on a leash as I also pushed a hand cart with a solar panel, battery, a power up climate solutions sign, and a spare Veterans for Peace flag that one of you provided. We were happy to be there, and one or two people might have noticed. A little time for us to consider power and history with people willing to do so, such as yourself, was a pleasant relief.
We had some good conversations for the next two years, Woody, up until the day before you left. You welcomed me as long as you could. Joan and the kids have been so gracious, as well. Much love and appreciation to you all.
We talked about how small decisions may lead to making differences, like the time you stopped a brutal Korean officer from beating a Korean civilian. Hey, stop hitting that old lady. That spurred the accompanying child to gift you a precious egg and later introduce you to the couple with nothing helping kids in their makeshift orphanage. You organized donations from the United States for them. You helped many kids stay warm and somewhat well kempt.
Yes, small acts can lead to big changes, Woody, but it still takes seeing opportunity and doing something, which you did.
In your last year, when we were all worried about your health, you and Joan supported and joined climate strikes with me and Busta. It means something to not be a lone voice on a street corner.
You saw how cruel and uncaring people can be in war, Woody, and how women, children and elderly are abused and neglected. We both saw how ignorant and exploitive people are towards Earthly communities, and how those with the most take most of all.
Few seem willing to think about, much less take risks and work for changes. Challenges to redirecting fossil fuel driven society are compounded by widespread wishing for tech and consumption to provide for us. Most appear to go along as if our politics and economics are natural and unmovable. Few seem willing to stop taking advantage of others, pay circular economy costs, fight for equity, suffer sacrifice, or face austerity.
We know that our colonial ways don't work. We see better ways, viable solutions for humanity and civilization. We can take care of each other and Earth as we continue to advance and innovate to meet evolving challenges.
I was cynical. I still am. You might be too. But you remember people acting with kindness and humanity even in the worst of times. You saw how those small acts make a difference. You helped me to see that acting humanely each day is important along with political participation and improving economies. Perhaps most importantly for me is that you helped me get out of the garage again and keep conversing with others.
We had nice conversations, Woody, maybe like some of the many you had across the Americas and Asia among national adversaries. You listened to each other. When you walked the golden road together, rather than as enemies, with a Chinese Korean War veteran, you learned about each other and better appreciated each of our circumstances. You showed us that communication, understanding and caring are alternatives to war and hegemony.
We talked about how everything is connected. You told me about being brought to your knees by experiencing universal love. Everything is love, or has love, or something like that. I talked about universal fields and consciousness. We are all part of more. We have no choice but to be together, live and die together, and make communities together.
We had some fine time together, Woody, and even did a few things before you had to go. Thank you.
