Going away party for Ray and Judy

It is 2003, and oh, what another bad war this will be.

This is 2003, and haven't we had our last bad war?

Or ever had any good ones?

Wasn't it only in 2001, when we used our individual voices to protest that war? Went to a few organized protests?
But there we were, early in 2003, in the hallowed ground of the Los Altos Plaza, raising voices and signs against still another war, hoping that we wouldn't get removed because of some code violation. Against peace, maybe? In Los Altos, you never knew...eh?

But there we were, and a few of you were there, too. But before we had time to count, there were maybe 200 like souls with us. They appeared, drifted in warm, smiling, telling us YES. No new war!
We were shocked, inspired, encouraged. People signed our little sheets. And Los Altos Voices for Peace was born…on or about that day. The details blur, but the Mountain View version of Voices was inspirational. Rob, that was your contribution.

Then the fledging group drew in the rest of you... and many more. You all have your story about how you found us, but most of you are still here and active and inspirational.

We don't need to remind you of Katrina Smathers and her quiet leadership - and we mean leadership in the real sense.

You could say we have turned this town upside down, and made it right for the message of peace. We lost battles before the City Council to act against the 2003 invasion of Iraq. We didn't go away, though, we succeeded in getting the Council to put a dent in the Patriot Act on behalf of Los Altos.

We became respectable, and at one point were recognized by a member of the City Council as the "peace people." Yes - we are. That even smoothed the way for a setting of the Peace Pole at the Library - as rough as that process was. And it is still there - a symbol of the real spirit of this town - especially of all of you.

Since then, we have marched the town, written letters, planned, and hosted events.

Now there is some uncertainty about LAVP'S role. But it's not complicated. Keep the torch of peace burning bright. Time is on our side. The public is awakening to the waste and folly of optional war - to the unspeakable human toll of it - to the unsupportable cost of it. As this takes hold across the land, LAVP will be able to claim a piece of the credit - small, local, but undeniable.

We will be watching, listening, urging you on. And if you're not careful, we'll make a mystery-guest appearance at some of your meetings. The holiday party for damn sure. As we keep saying, we're just 90 minutes away!

Peace, love and strength to every one of. You will continue to inspire and motivate us.

Goodbye for a while...

1. For he is the captain of voices for peace, and a great, creative captain too.
2. But be it understood he commands a great good crew.
3. When confronted by the Patriot Act we were able to react.
4. Our warriors for peace shall be missed, but our quest for peace cannot be dismissed.
5. 2 Wars are a continuing disaster, but Ray and Judy's work we will remember for ever after.
With apologies to Gilbert and Sullivan.
( Wilkie Leaks has helped our quest and Brian Manning should be blessed.