Honoring Brian Arredondo
Brian Arredondo was 17 when his 20 year-old brother, Alex, a U.S. Marine, was killed in Iraq on 25 August, 2004. He was 24 this past Monday, 19 December, when he took his own life.
Brian's parents Carlos and Mélida Arredondo have worked tirelessly for the peace movement since Alex' death. Now our hearts to out to them in their new loss.
Brian Arredondo's wake will be held Tuesday, December 27, 4 to 9 pm, at the Mann and Rodgers Funeral Home, 44 Perkins St, Jamaica Plain.
A funeral mass will be held Wednesday, December 28, 10am, at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, 97 South St., Jamaica Plain.
The funeral mass will be followed by a procession and interment at Rural Cemetery at intersection of Pemberton and North Streets, Walpole. Brian will be laid to rest next to his brother Alexander.
The peace movement will sponsor a reception after the interment, 3pm-6pm, at First Church in Jamaica Plain (Unitarian-Universalist), 6 Eliot St. The church was the scene of the candle-light vigil the night after Brian's death, and its lawn is home to Camp Alex, a display of antiwar messages created by Carlos Arredondo. Members of the peace movement are requested to bring food to the reception or donate money towards refreshments.
If you are in position to do so, please send a donation to help cover funeral expenses to: Brian Arredondo Memorial Fund, c/o The Cooperative Bank, 40 Belgrade Avenue, Roslindale, MA 02131.
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CHRISTMAS IN THE TRENCHES -- 1914
In December, 1914, after months of slaughter during the First World War (it was supposed to be “The War to End all Wars”!), British and German soldiers declared an informal and spontaneous truce. The story of their fraternization and holiday celebration is told in detail here and here. Many thanks to Jeff Klein of Dorchester People for Peace, who reminds us of this each year, and to Veterans for Peace, Smedley Butler Brigade.
Christmas In The Trenches VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9coPzDx6tA
The event has been immortalized in a song by folksinger JOHN MCCUTCHEON, which you can hear and watch along with contemporary illustration and a moving introduction by the performer:
The song ends with this stanza:
My name is Francis Tolliver, in Liverpool I dwell
Each Christmas come since World War I, I've learned its lessons well
That the ones who call the shots won't be among the dead and lame
And on each end of the rifle we're the same.
To those of all faiths and none, holiday wishes and hopes for a peaceful 2012 from Massachusetts Peace Action! |
