The counter protest was larger than at previous protests because of rumors that the protesters were going to defile the Vietnam memorial. These rumors came up during a Tony Snow White House briefing... hmmmmm... wonder who started those rumors?

We were both struck by what we silently witnessed. The emotion and passion on both sides, much anger coming from the counter protesters, friendly determination, for the most part, among the anti-war protesters. I was impressed by how well behaved each side was - without an official barricade, protesters possessed the discipline to respect the space of the other side, and I didn't witness any physical confrontation, or any serious need on behalf of the police to intervene. Dave was impressed that the counter protesters looked like people he'd like to hang out with. Neither of us are of the generation that experienced the Vietnam War, except in diapers and grade school, though we both have friends who are Vietnam vets.

Much anger and verbal abuse came from the counter protesters and for the most part the peace protesters avoided the urge to argue back and forth, though some did yell a word or two back. As you can see in the photos though, most of the peace protesters kept a smile on their faces in spite of the abuse.

Among the verbal abuse I heard, my favorite was from a young man with a megaphone who yelled, "I'm an idiot? I'm an idiot? Well you're a terrorist!" There was also a guy yelling "Hey greybeard, your old enough to know better!" and a woman yelling hysterically something about "our country going down the toilet and its your fault!!" which seemed words either side could have uttered, as both seemed passionate about concern for this country.

A particularly emotional moment entailed when some anti war protesters passed by with an upside down flag and a sign that said "U$ in distress, turn the flag upside down!" We watched as one of the counter protesters, most likely a Vet, broke into tears, yelling "you can't do that!! you can't do that!!" lunging at the police to try to get them to stop the man with the upside down flag - he was in hysterics and directing some violence toward the police, who eventually gave him a shove in the direction of the anti-war protesters.

Sadly, intelligent conversation does not happen between people on bullhorns. Nor do slogans encourage dialogue. How do we learn to be civil with one another? To listen to one another and find common ground? A protest is not the place for that to happen or is it?

To be sure there were veterans on both sides at this protest, and though the counter protesters definitely had more flags - they didn't have the market on patriotism. Some of the quips I heard shouted back from the anti-war protesters were statements like "read Thomas Jefferson!"

I can't imagine the living hell of coming home from a war we lost, one that has been called illegal and immoral even by many of those who've fought in it. Where is dignity? How do you keep from losing your mind? How do you put your life back together when you come home and who is there to help you? What does a young man or woman do with the memory of having irrationally killed or witnessed killing? How strong the family members of veterans must be - the parents, the spouses, the children...

Already in this war, we are hearing horror stories about Walter Reed, benefit cut backs, waiting lists for medical services. What does it really mean to "support the troops"? On January 16th of this year, Iraqi Veteran Jonathon Schulze killed himself days after being told he was 26th on a waiting list for one of the 12 beds at his local center's post traumatic stress disorder center. This is unacceptable.

The sooner we bring these men and women home the sooner we can begin to repair the damage this war has caused. It will take a lifetime.