A simple yet powerful action: OPERATION EMPTY CHAIR, MARCH 19, 2006

[ClassWarrior]

Via email...

OPERATION EMPTY CHAIR
MARCH 19, 2006

It is clear now that we will lose our 3000th American military member before the March 19th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. Three years in, untold thousands of innocent Iraqis have also perished. And then there are the thousands upon thousands wounded, and those who will never be the same though they appear unmarked by the violence. These include soldiers and their spouses and children, parents and siblings, grandparents, aunts, and uncles, cousins and best friends. All of these lives have been irrevocably reduced by the loss of what ‘should have been.’

We don’t notice much about this unless we have a family member or friend in the military. We have not been asked to sacrifice, or do much more than stick a decal on our cars. This is unseemly. Such catastrophic events deserve at least that we witness the sacrifices of so many.

Regardless of your beliefs about this war, whether you oppose or support its continuance, those who continue to bear the burden deserve our acknowledgement.

Please join me on March 19th, 2006 in placing an empty chair outside, in front of your home, where it can be seen by all who pass by.

Do this as an act of witnessing that we are a nation at war, to signify that you recognize and have thought deeply about the costs. It can only be a good thing for every street in America to be lined with empty chairs, so that those who fight and those who send them into battle know that we are not oblivious

Since it is only proper that a citizen should have an informed position on such a momentous act by our government, feel free to embellish your chair in whatever way seems appropriate to you.

NGU.

[Katherine Brengle]

1. this is poignant to me

the empty chair... it made me think about my husband, and how there is an empty place here in our home waiting for him to return and fill it...

i think this is a great idea and am recommending for the a.m. crowd.

[ClassWarrior]

4. Bless you and your family.

Never Give Up.

[xxqqqzme]

2. I'll pass this along @ the

DFA meeting 2morrow night. Good idea.

Wasn't there a 'candle burning in the window' symbolic jesture on the 1st anniversary?

[ClassWarrior]

3. Please do pass this along to EVERYONE.

I think you're right - the candle was anniversary one, after the candlelight vigils on the eve of the invasion.

~sigh~

NGU.

[ClassWarrior]

5. .

[Ouabache]

6. Everyone can do this

so just do it. March 19.

[CarlSheeler4U]

7. Excellent suggestion. I'd suggest something with vet endorsement too

[PBass]

8. possible flame bait, sorry in advance

Just an empty chair sitting outside is not going to convey anything to the public. If you're doing it just for the personal symbolism then I guess that's different. Passerby will get nothing from an empty chair, message wise.

A sign or some type of a shrine would be more effective. Just my opinion.

[July]

9. Suggestion:

Sign on chair reading

2297 US KIA - Iraq
16553 US wounded - Iraq
30,000+ "liberated" Iraqis killed

(using up-to-date numbers)

[ClassWarrior]

22. .

[liberalla]

27. I'll put the folded flag from my fathers funeral on the chair.

The empty chair is a great idea.

[July]

10. Is this your concept, ClassWarrior?

I like it in its simplicity.

[ClassWarrior]

11. No, it's an acquaintance's idea.

I was thinking of embellishing mine with a yellow ribbon magnet and a peace sign, but I like your idea of a casualty tally better.

NGU.

[July]

12. Actually, I think the empty chair (w/nothing on it) is a powerful symbol,

but I see the other poster's point that some people won't get it.

On the other hand, if the idea is spread by emails and bloggers, it might become newsworthy, and people will know what it means. Have you thought of sending the idea to others who might help get the message out (whoever you like -- congressional reps/senators, activists, TV/radio pundits)? I think it is a very easy and interesting commemoration that could catch on. If I may make another suggestion, I would call it a remembrance or memorial before letting others label it a "protest," with the negative connotation that will have in some of the recently-converteds minds, though, of course, you should call it what you like.

I imagine some people will embellish the chairs in their own ways (e.g., a Cindy Sheehan might put a photo of Casey on it).

What is NGU?

[ClassWarrior]

13. Yup, I'm working on getting it out to all of my lists and contacts...

You should do the same.

You're right, this is a memorial - which is what makes it so powerful. You can send it to literally ANYONE in your email book, regardless of the recipient's ideology.

NGU = Never Give Up, my personal motto since 11/03/04.

Could you please recommend this thread? We only need one more to get it on the Greatest Page.

Thanks! :hi:

NGU.

[GetTheRightVote]

14. not a bad ideal, thank you for sharing.......

:kick:

[ClassWarrior]

24. .

[ClassWarrior]

15. One more recommendation anyone? This is an idea that...

...needs to be on the Greatest Page.

Peace.

NGU.

[Serial Mom]

16. I will do ... post link to this in our State Forum too!

I am at work, but I am printing this out so I remember to do!

Our chair could have been personally filled by my daughter's Marine boyfriend killed in 1991, so I will do in his honor ALONG with honoring the memory of the thousands (I never wanted to say that many again since 1975)killed AND injured in this war!

BTW, what does NGU mean?

Yeah - my recommendation was the 5th and put it on the Greatest page.

[ClassWarrior]

17. Thanks, fellow Sconnie!

:hi:

NGU = Never Give Up, my personal motto since 11/03/04.

[ClayZ]

18. Will do!

March 19th!

We have a poster of the empty boots from the "Eyes Wide Open" Exhibit. I will set it it next to the chair.

www.afsc.org

[The Witch]

19. Will do. Thanks.

[texpatriot2004]

20. A powerful image ClassWarrior nm

[ClassWarrior]

21. Thanks tex. Wish I could take credit.

But this is one of those ideas that's so powerful, it's almost like we all "own" it. Right?

:hi:

NGU.

[Independent_Liberal]

23. Thanks Class Warrior!

And yes, I will NGU. I don't care what anybody says, I'll keep fighting no matter what happens.

Peace bro.

:)

[ClassWarrior]

32. Peace.

:hi:

NGU.

[ClassWarrior]

25. .

[ClassWarrior]

26. kicking for our fallen troops...

:kick:

NGU.

[ClassWarrior]

36. .

[ClassWarrior]

37. .

[skids]

28. OK, I'll try to remember to do that.

Though, as a silly aside (and I know this isn't the case here, just being silly) I wonder what other objects one might be able to convince people to leave unguarded in their front lawns. :evilgrin:

[Jeffersons Ghost]

29. kick

:kick:

[ClassWarrior]

35. and another...

:kick:

NGU.

[Staph]

30. One of the most popular Civil War era songs

Was called The Vacant Chair by Henry Washburn and George Root. It is still very appropriate, unfortunately.

We shall meet but we shall miss him,
There will be one vacant chair;
We shall linger to caress him
While we breath our evening prayer.
When one year ago we gathered,
Joy was in his mild blue eye,
Now the golden cord is severed,
And our hopes in ruin lie.

Chorus
We shall meet but we shall miss him,
There will be one vacant chair;
We shall linger to caress him
While we breath our evening prayer.

At our fireside, sad and lonely,
Often will the bosom swell
At remembrance of the story
How our noble Willie fell;
How he strove to bear our banner
Thro' the thickest of the fight,
And uphold our country's honor
In the strength of manhood's might.

Chorus

True they tell us wreaths of glory
Evermore will deck his brow,
But this soothes the anguish only
Sweeping o'er our heartstrings now.
Sleep today, O' early fallen
In thy green and narrow bed,
Dirges from the pine and cypress
Mingle with the tears we shed.

Chorus

[ClassWarrior]

31. That's very cool.

:patriot:

NGU.

[nevergiveup]

33. Great idea! Will do

Peace and NGU from NGU

[ClassWarrior]

34. NGU, NGU.

NGU.