War draws older generation to streets
Dozens of seniors in Seal Beach protest American activity in Iraq.
http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister...nt_1159605.php
By TERI SFORZA
The Orange County Register
5/28/2006
SEAL BEACH – The enormous globe looms eerily behind them as they hoist signs saying "Peace Is Patriotic" and "How Many More?" at oncoming traffic.
Their hair is gray. Their faces are lined. They can tell you about being a kid during the Depression and how it felt to fly a fighter plane in World War II. The globe makes it look like the weight of the world is sitting on their shoulders - and, as they protest the war in Iraq, that's exactly how they feel.
"As Americans, we have the right to do this," Tom Pontac, 70, said. "As senior patriots, we have a duty to do this."
Thirty-five seniors, ranging in age from 60 to 90, stood in the sun on Seal Beach Boulevard for two hours Saturday to make their displeasure known.
"We were attacked first in World Wars I and II," said Jim Grime, 84, a former pilot. "But since then, we've attacked Vietnam, Korea, Grenada, Panama and Iraq - twice - without having been attacked first. It's a shame to be 84 years old and almost ashamed of your country."
This is the second protest the seniors have held on a last Saturday of a month. They vow to be on the street until the war ends.
War supporters say that democracy is taking hold in Iraq and that a pullout now would result in chaos. Protests also sap the morale of troops risking their lives, they say. However, a recent ABC News/Washington Post poll found that nearly 60 percent of Americans think invading Iraq was a mistake.
"When seniors come out here in their wheelchairs and walkers, you know it's time to end the war," said Pat Alviso, whose son has served in Iraq.
"As seniors we have the high moral ground," Pontac said.
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