Vigils in September 2022

[Brian]

The temperature was 98 degrees at the start of this Friday's Montrose Peace Vigil, a slight relief from previous days and much lower than what's predicted every afternoon through next Wednesday.  Traffic on the sidewalks and streets was very light because of the holiday weekend, though we got more honks and waves per capita from passing vehicles than we did in August.

As a reminder, we stand on the northwest corner of Ocean View Boulevard and Honolulu Avenue near the Vietnam War memorial in Montrose, CA 91020 every Friday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. without regard to the weather or holidays -- we haven't missed a vigil since January 2006.  Please stop by sometime if you can.

A few vigil regulars were traveling on Labor Day weekend.  Still, nine familiar faces came to the corner this week including three people who didn't pick up a sign.  I've always counted everyone who stands (or sits) with the demonstrators as long as they've held a sign in the past.  In order of appearance:  Anni, me, Roberta, Dennis, Bruce, Jeanne, Jim, Yoshio and John the Realtor.

Since October 2011, we have printed and displayed every Defense Department news release announcing the deaths of soldiers, Marines, sailors and Airmen in our many ongoing military operations around the world.  The Pentagon reported no uniformed U.S. casualties in the previous seven days.

[Brian]

The longest extreme September heat wave in California's recorded history ended on the morning of this Friday's Montrose Peace Vigil with cloudy skies and a temperature of only 84 degrees.  The humidity from the remnants of a Pacific hurricane squeezed out small drops of rain intermittently throughout our 90 minute demonstration.  On sidewalks lacking dog walkers, groups of kids and the other fair weather strollers, we only saw a few people picking up pizzas or running other errands.  I enjoyed the precipitation -- and the relief from a week of heat -- without an umbrella, never getting soaked.

If the weather forecasts say there's a good chance of rain, there's nearly a 100 percent chance Justeen will come to the corner.  She has driven from west Van Nuys for many years to boost vigil attendance, always answering the call whenever the sky is falling.  Ten regulars participated:  Anni, me, Roberta, Dennis, Frannie, Justeen, Jeanne, Bruce, Jim and Nancy, in order of appearance.

In the previous seven days, the Department of Defense reported no military deaths in Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria or in any of the other named U.S. operations underway around the world.

[Brian]

After the heat of the first week of September and the rain during last week's vigil, it was sunny with the temperature in the low 70's for this Friday's Montrose Peace Vigil -- an autumnal evening in the final days of summer.  Brisk foot and wheel traffic returned to our intersection for the first time this month.

And Russell returned to the corner after a weeks long work-related absence.  The rest of the seven participants, in order of appearance:  Anni, Roberta and me at 5:30, followed by Frannie, Terry and Jim.

The Department of Defense reported no uniformed casualties in the previous seven days.

[Brian]

The biggest surprise at this Friday's Montrose Peace Vigil -- of the year, really -- was seeing Elaine and Mike back on the corner, two weeks after their bivalent Covid boosters and wearing masks for maximum safety. Glad to hear that Mike will again engineer our Peace Train in the Montrose Christmas Parade when the parade returns on December 3 after a two-year absence because of the pandemic.

A dozen peaceniks participated. In order of appearance: Anni, me, Roberta, Dennis, Russell, Bruce, Frannie, Jeanne, Mike, Elaine, Nancy and Mary. Jim will be bummed that he missed our old friends because he had to be elsewhere this week, but Mike said they'll be back soon.

No U.S. military deaths were reported in the previous seven days.

[Brian]

The big folding sign pictured above got its best use in its long life at this Friday's Montrose Peace Vigil.  A young couple came down the sidewalk while bending to help their toddler learn to walk by herself.  They stopped at our sign near the crosswalk so she could stand by herself with one arm on the sign. Then she crawled in between the folds and emerged to slap her hand on the front.  Roberta captured that moment and Anni will post the photo later.

Coming to the corner this week, in order of appearance: Anni, me, Roberta, Dennis, Russell, Mike, Jim and Jeanne. Here are my tallies of the demonstrators each week:

• Sept. 2 - 9
• Sept. 9 - 10
• Sept. 16 - 7
• Sept. 23 - 12
• Sept. 30 - 8

This month's weekly average rounds down to 9 participants, after averaging 10 in August, 11 in July, 10 in June, 11 in May, 8 in April, 10 in March, 9 in February, 10 in January, 9 in December, 10 in November, 12 in October and 22 in September 2021 (when we were joined by demonstrators opposing the recall of Governor Newsom).

For the 31st week in a row, the Pentagon reported no U.S. casualties.

[anni]

Here she is...adorable baby at our Peace Vigil: