Candlelight vigil notes Iraq war deaths

Ending the Iraq war is as simple as telling your neighbor or signing an online petition.

That was the message from Leslie Bell, the organizer of a candlelight vigil Wednesday on Signal Mountain. The gathering was among about 900 vigils nationwide marking the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. The liberal activist Web site, MoveOn.org, helped organize the events through e-mail contact lists.

Twelve people braved the cold winds and off-and-on sprinkles for the roadside demonstration.

“Even if it’s just 12 people, 12 was enough for Jesus, so we are here,” said Rob McDonald, of Chattanooga.

The vigil was organized as a memorial of the 3,992 soldiers killed and the roughly 30,000 who have been injured, Ms. Bell said.

“Watching this war go on has been very frustrating ... but one thing everyone can do is come together and speak out to show how you feel about it,” Ms. Bell said.

One spouse of a reservist serving in Iraq now, who did not attend the vigil, said she wants her husband home and wants comrades back, but she thinks war should continue.

“We’re not in a spot where we can pull out now,” said Melody Cooley. “I’d rather have my husband at home. It’s sad that we’ve lost a lot of American soldiers, but we cannot pull out.”

Denise Sheppard, of Ringgold, Ga., said during the service that she was sorry she supported the war five years ago.

“I was one of those people who thought our government wouldn’t lead us in the wrong direction” she said.

Mrs. Sheppard said afterward that the vigil was less about voicing opposition to the war and more about remembering the troops.

“Those of us who may not support the war anymore are still patriots and appreciate not only our country but all of those who have fallen,” Mrs. Sheppard said.