CLINTON — The war in Afghanistan has been waging for nearly 10 years — the longest war in U.S. history — and shows no signs of abating.
On Thursday, Oct. 6, at 6:30 p.m., the Clinton Franciscan Center for Active Nonviolence and Peacekeeping and Prince of Peace Pax Christi will hold a candlelight vigil on the front steps of the Clinton County Courthouse. Participants will speak and pray for peace and honor the thousands of persons who have died, been injured or lost their homes in the Afghan War since Oct. 7, 2001.
The vigil service will feature short speeches by members of Iowa Veterans for Peace, notably Afghan and Vietnam war veterans Dan Tallon, Iowa City, and John Ivens, DeWitt. There also will be opportunity to lobby Congressmen or representatives. Preceding the vigil, Iowa Veterans for Peace will hold an open meeting at The Canticle, home of the Sisters of St. Francis, 841 13th Ave. N., Clinton.
“All veterans are invited to join us,” said Ed Flaherty, Iowa City, president of the Eastern Iowa Chapter. “Ten of us will be at The Canticle Thursday afternoon to welcome any interested vets and explain the organization and our goals.”
For more information, call the Sisters of St. Francis at (563) 242-7611 or visit www.clintonfranciscans.com.