Veterans For Peace

World Affairs Council of Charlotte
World Citizen Award Dinner
May 7, 2009

It’s an easy 2 ½ hour trip to Charlotte, cruising out Hwy 64 from Pittsboro, Hwy 421 to Greensboro and I-85 to the Queen City. After finding the Westin parking Deck, I found the men’s room. The only other chap using the facility was my friend Gene Stewart, Charlotte Chapter of Veterans for Peace, looking every bit the tuxedoed gentleman. I donned my black neck tie and we sauntered to the lobby to get our bearings.

I was Gene’s guest at this event. He has been working the WACC to invite Col. Ann Wright to speak in Charlotte.

We were both struck by the military tone of the event. Well heeled men and women intermingled with bemedalled military folks in uniform, while Junior ROTC students practiced their best, upright posture. Gene told me that other WACC events featured peace activist speakers, and he was unsettled (we both were) by the military cast of the affair.