By Maggie Dolbow
Correspondent

Joan Gillis, whose son fought the War on Terror in Afghanistan, said she supports her son’s choice to fight and the troops, but not the war. (M. Dolbow Photo)

GOFFSTOWN – Almost 60 people gathered on Goffstown common on Wednesday, Aug. 17, for a silent vigil for peace. More than 2,000 similar vigils were held across the country in solidarity with Cindy Sheehan and other military families. Sheehan lost her son Casey in the war in Iraq and has been seeking an interview with President Bush. The political action group, MoveOn.org, requested the vigils on its Web site.

During the 45-minute Goffstown vigil, Joan Gillis, mother of a soldier who fought in Afghanistan, briefly told the story of her son’s service.

“I support his career and I support the troops, but I do not support this war,” Gillis said.

Jeanie Holt led the crowd in singing “Peace is Flowing Like a River.”

Many of those gathered on the common are members of Neighbors Advancing Nonviolence. Tom Lee said the group meets every Wednesday on the common at 5:30 p.m. There is a silent vigil, and although the number of people demonstrating is small, the group is visible during the peak commuter hour.

Of the approximately 138,000 American troops now serving in Iraq, more than 1,800 have been killed. Jan Pendlebury of Goffstown feels President Bush is afraid to meet with Sheehan.

“President Bush campaigned on being a unifier, not a divider. This war has already divided the country, and each and every day that Cindy waits for her meeting divides us even more,” said Pendlebury.