Prayer for troops is a sign of the times in OakleyPrayer for troops is a sign of the times in OakleyApril 4, 2003
A few Oakley residents decided to use their given constitutional right to freedom of speech over the past couple of weeks in the form of a sign on a fence that surrounds the Cline Cellars grape vineyard on Big Break Road near Vintage Parkway.
It all started March 20 when someone placed a banner of the fence with a blessing for the American soldiers. Some of you may have noticed the picture in last week's Brentwood News. The sign itself wasn't a declaration of the writer's opinion on the war with Iraq, it was simply a statement to support those who are overseas.
The sign said: "Prayer for our American Soldiers. God hold our American Troops in your loving hands, protect them as they protect us. Bless our soldiers and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen."
Within a couple of days someone put up two small hand-written signs. The statements on the signs were clearly anti-war saying people should support schools not war. The next day, perhaps the same person who put up the first two signs put up another that said, "The median age of an Iraqi soldier is 20 years old, how old is your son?" As with the first sign, the authors of these signs weren't identified, so it was impossible to get a comment from the sign maker.
After the third sign went up, another larger, red, white and blue banner was placed next to the prayer that simply stated "Support our Troops." Again, not attributed. An hour of so later, the three white small signs vanished.
While this little sign duel was nothing like the anti-war rallies in San Francisco, New York or Washington, D.C., the mere sight of the signs did spark local conversations in the grocery stores, the post office and at the parent pickup area at school.
While everyone has their opinion on the war, many say they can't see fault with the banners that are hanging on the fence now.
"The soldiers who are doing their jobs in Iraq aren't the controversy," Oakley resident Joe Mendez said. "We should support them for doing their job."
Mendez isn't sure who put up the signs, but he said everyone has the right to their opinion and wished the person who had placed the small white signs would have been able to keep theirs up as well.
Simon Gardener, whose son is a Marine stationed in the Persian Gulf, wears a picture of his son and a yellow ribbon everyday on his work shirt, said he was disappointed with the person who put up the anti-war signs.
"It isn't because they put them up, but the spot where they were at. It was disrespectful to people who have children in the military serving their country," Gardener said.
What was most interesting was that although people were happy to give their opinions on whether we should be involved in a war with Iraq, they were concerned about having their name in print in conjunction with their opinion.
The consensus was clear, however that people that the people of Oakley support our troops. Some said that they support our troops, but that doesn't mean they support what President Bush is trying to accomplish in Iraq. Of course, there are probably lots of people who would be willing to express their opinion in print, I just didn't get a chance to speak with any of them.
To those who put up the supportive banners on Big Break Road, Gardener said that speaking for all of those Oakley residents who have children, spouses and friends who are heading to or are involved in the war effort at this time, thank you for your prayers and support. Those in our military can use all the support and prayers they can get right now.
Roni Gehlke's column on life in Oakley appears each week in the Brentwood News.
Distributed by the Contra Costa Times