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War protesters show up at FGCU Service Academy Day
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Local war protesters didn’t deter people from attending the fourth annual Service Academy Day, held Saturday at Florida Gulf Coast University.
A hot pink banner more than 12 feet wide greeted parents and students on their way to the FGCU ballroom, emblazoned with the phrase, “health care not warfare.”
Beside it stood five protesters, many wearing the same color as part of the anti-war organization, CODEPINK.
Despite this, the event had its largest turnout to date. More than 100 students attended with 130-plus parents and relatives, compared with about 85 students last year.
The event was billed as a way to inform students about the U.S. Service Academies and how to become nominated to join one. It featured a video highlighting the five U.S. Service Academies, speeches from students appointed to the Naval and Air Force academies and a session where those attending could talk to representatives from the various academies and the University of Tampa’s ROTC program.
The protesters said they were there to let U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, the Fort Myers Republican who sponsored the event, know that they didn’t agree with the war in Iraq.
“A bill was just passed in the House to cut funding for the war, and within a few weeks the vote will come up in the Senate,” said Dana Fogelsong, 26, CODEPINK co-coordinator and Fort Myers resident. “We want him to know where we – his constituents – stand.”
Mack said he had no problem with their presence.
“They’re welcome to express their feelings and exercise their First Amendment rights,” he said.
Protester and FGCU junior Angela Cisneros said the banner’s slogan is meant to tell Mack that they feel money for the war could be better spent on other things, such as health care.
CODEPINK member Nancy Feraldi, 64, said the people headed to Service Academy Day had been friendly and polite to the protesters.
Most students and parents passed by without saying a word.
“I just waved to them, and they waved back,” said DJ Avery, a junior at Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers. “(The protest) doesn’t really bother me.”
Some felt that the protesters were missing the point of the event.
“Instead of being out there, they should have come inside to see what this is really about,” said Carl Rios, a junior at Fort Myers High School. “They don’t get it.”
For many students attending, part of their interest stems from having parents or relatives in the armed forces.
“My dad served in the Navy, and he used to tell me stories about it,” said Michael Frick, a Cypress Lake High junior. “It always interested me, and so I thought I’d come here today to learn more about it.”
Though his father’s stories made him want to look into attending a Service Academy, Michael’s dad said he’s let his son decide what he wants to do.
“I want to have him make up his own mind,” said Joseph Frick, 77, who graduated from the Naval Academy in 1953. “I thought I’d expose him to this, but the decision is completely his own.”
Outside, one of the protesters wore a shirt with “4,000” printed on it, symbolizing the 4,000-plus U.S. troops who have died in the war over the past five years.
This didn’t give Palmetto Ridge High School junior Ashley Kehne any second thoughts about her dream of attending West Point.
Her grandfather drove from Jacksonville to take her to the event, because her mother, a member of the Army, is in Afghanistan, and her father had to work.
She said she’s not afraid of being deployed, and said her mother is excited about the thought of her attending a Service Academy.
“If I got deployed, I want to be right there with my mom fighting,” Ashley said. “I think that would be the coolest thing.”
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I applaud Connie Mack's remarks stating their protest is within their first ammendment rights. Moreover, I applaud the students who participated in the Service Academy Day.
Oh, if we could just have Universal healthcare the world would be gumdrops and candycanes. Give me a break! What a bunch of misguided naive yahoos'.
It saddens me that these peace-niks never met a dictator they didnt like yet heckle the young men and women who voluntarily serve to protect our freedom.
#1 Posted by AuH20 on May 17, 2008 at 10:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
John Stuart Mills
#2 Posted by gspfan404 on May 18, 2008 at 7:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congress is looking at revamping the GI Bill to give post 911 veterans the same benefits as WWII veterans but President Bush is threatening that he will veto it.
The protestors should have been there to support the new GI Bill. That would have won more friends than enemies.
#3 Posted by MarthaSimons on May 18, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was there with my son. Its amazing how six people dressed like the homeless, with posters of wounded babies, shouting “try the peace corp. instead”; get most of the headline of this newspaper.
The 100 plus attendees were our best and brightest youth and adult leadership, getting up early on a Saturday, driving to a university, to find out about one more way they can serve their country and community.
The protestors and news reporters weren’t there when we went in at 8:30 am, they just showed up when we let out, I guess that was to early on a Saturday for what they believe in.
My son and I just passed by, very happy we live in a country where two different opinions can share the same sidewalk. With this; my son agreed; our ancestors did not die in vain; this was the freedom we fight for.
Making a place where an apparent derelict can flash pictures of bloody babies, make loud accusations against a sixteen year old, clean cut, Eagle scout, high gpa, community volunteer about becoming a baby killer if decides to serve as an officer in the military.
My sons beloved grandfathers, uncles, and cousins certainly were not trying to hurt those babies in the pictures, just Fascist, Nazis, and those who would not allow you the freedom to carry your signs.
My family’s blood was spilled so that my young son could smile at your naivety and feel good about protecting you and your freedom.
P.S. the peace corp. is a fine institution as well, we have many family and friends that serve this way too.
#4 Posted by ranger on May 18, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree that it's pitiful that these losers grab the headlines. It takes a special kind of student to attend one of the academies and then offer your service to your country. It doesn't take much to call the newspaper and flash some pictures of bloody children. Maybe they can call Jane Fonda or Sean Penn next time they get together.
#5 Posted by ford46 on May 18, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And just where are those Weapons of Mass Destruction eh?
You mean, Bush and Company LIED about them!
#6 Posted by YearRoundResident on May 18, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"WAR is a racket. It always has been.
It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives.
A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of the people. Only a small "inside" group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few, at the expense of the very many. Out of war a few people make huge fortunes." Major General Smedley D. Butler, USMC ret.
#7 Posted by ravenhawk on May 18, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The love of my life proudly fights in the midst of the 'racket' while others sit comfortably typing away on their keyboards discounting what he does and why he does it. These kids who are considering joining the armed forces during this time have more grit than the cowards who hide behind signs and posters. I applaud them and regret that I wasn't there.
Our country is full of unpatriotic who do not sneer and point fingers at politicians then wonder why outsiders consider us weak... it's because we don't stand behind our nation. A nation cannot be strong if those who live in it do not value it.
#8 Posted by gspfan404 on May 18, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Code pink folks are nothing more than an organization of traitors. Thank God we didnt have them in WWII or we would all be speaking German or Japanese
#9 Posted by FECOYLE on May 18, 2008 at 6:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm glad not every body thinks the way ya'll do.
I don't have time to sit here and write all I have to think about you people, or the reasons why I support a peaceful end to the violence in Iraq and the rest of the Middle East.
I have a midterm test to study for. A power point presentation to prepare, and an essay to finish for class early tomorrow morning.
There are much more pertinent issues in the Americas to deal with.
And may the Greater Spirit guide your conscience, you too Mr. Mack. Peace and Love to all reading this.
Sincerely,
Angela Cisneros
President,
FGCU Progressive Alliance
Another World IS POSSIBLE!
#10 Posted by Angela_Cisneros on May 19, 2008 at 4:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wake Up, Stand Up, Stand up for your rights, don't give up the fight!
#11 Posted by Angela_Cisneros on May 19, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
POWER TO THE PEOPLE!
#12 Posted by Angela_Cisneros on May 19, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Promote Peace, because your future depends on it. Be Positive, embrace the negative people and show them love like their mothers never did.
#13 Posted by Angela_Cisneros on May 19, 2008 at 4:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
REMEMBER: Jesus Christ, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., John Lennon, and all the mothers who's children have died in Iraq (our soldiers 4,077+, and the Iraqi mothers and their children).
#14 Posted by Angela_Cisneros on May 19, 2008 at 4:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Support Alternative Energy Sources, such as: Biodiesel made from waste vegetable oil. Let's think about ending our dependence on foreign oil.
#15 Posted by Angela_Cisneros on May 19, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Okay, I better finish my homework.
PEACE
If you would like to know more about all the positive things people in SWFL are doing, and what FGCU student organizers are working towards
(including:
FGCU Progressive Alliance
FGCU Environmental Association: Biodiesel production
FGCU Amnesty International
Students Against Hunger and Homelessness
Black Student Alliance
Spanish Club
Gender Equality Organization
and many more...), please contact me.
The FGCU Progressive Alliance also networks with Community Organizers!
acisner@eagle.fgcu.edu
#16 Posted by Angela_Cisneros on May 19, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Still thinking...
It's home of the Brave, not just Patriots. I'm not so sure of the free part anymore, corporations have more freedom than we do.
I would venture to say that a majority of kids who joined the military ended up there because of lack of opportunity here at home. Why are we spending so much money over there when we can use it to help further people's education? Is Education now only for the wealthy? I would also venture to say that if more people were educated, the less problems we'd have in society. I bet if more people stopped watching so much TV and picked up books instead of guns, this would be a better world. I bet if struggling parents earned more money working one job, they'd spend more time with their kids, and we would have a better world. I bet if more people respected their elders, we would have a better world. I bet if people respected other cultures, we would have a better world. I bet if Bush and Cheney weren't in power, we would have a better world.
Mute the talking heads. Follow your intuition, your conscience, and you will live a better world today.
MUCH PEACE AND LOVE.
Bill Hicks: Life is a ride. Enjoy it.
#17 Posted by Angela_Cisneros on May 19, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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