Today, however, what I love most about Iowa is that it is right next to Minnesota…which means we are almost home. One week to go!
At the moment, I am hanging out in an RV park north of Ames waiting for Gunnar’s call from the road while catching up on my blog and trying to decide whether or not to make another pot of coffee. (Keeping my caffeine momentum going during the home stretch is essential.) I am also struggling to concentrate on typing because there is some kid outside my window playing with one of those annoying remote control cars, and the incessant high-pitched buzzing sound is getting on my last nerve. I’m afraid that if I get any more jacked up on coffee I will go out and smash the little car to pieces with my curling iron in a fit of rage.
On second thought, I think it’s time to get the Folger’s brewing.
Thursday, September 3, 2009 Des Moines, IA
Today was a special day for us as we were invited to make our ASM4P presentation for some kids in the pediatric ward at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. Very cool!
While the kids there were a bit younger than most kids we meet with, the hospital staff and parents really appreciated Gunnar and I coming by to spend time with them, and let them draw pictures to bring to the Iraqi and Afghani kids. It was also the first time that we got to talk with parents about WKR’s mission and why it is vital to help our kids in these countries build peaceful
relationships with one another.They greatly appreciated what ASM4P is about, and I appreciate them for appreciating us.
Right after we left the hospital, we stopped by the WHO radio station in Des Moines to do an interview with Jan Mickelson, the morning radio show host. We talked with him as well about the walk and the importance of our programs, however, it didn’t take long for him to steer the conversation down a political path and bait Gunnar into a discussion on whether or not we “won the war” in Iraq or not…. and whether or not the “blood of our soldier’s was spilled needlessly.”
Gotta love those shock jocks.
http://cdn1.libsyn.com/mickelson/mickelson-2009-09-03.mp3?nvb=20090904231942&nva=20090905232942&t=0813e240333f141fcfceafcfcea
Although Gunnar wasn’t interested in sensationalizing the topic for listeners, it reminded me again how complex the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan really are despite how people want to simplify them. Lately, I have been reading the “Ask John Burns; At War” blog written by New York Times foreign correspondent, John Burns. He discusses his own ideas on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and accepts readers’ comments/questions as well (http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/17/ask-john-burns/?scp=1&sq=ask+john+burns&st=cse&apage=1#comments).
Out of the hundreds of comments I have read so far, it’s evident that many Americans are burned out on the war and feel things are hopeless. Sadly, this hopelessness has lead towards disengagement from the topic altogether. Gunnar and I agree we have seen plenty of evidence of that out here on the road. While they may support the spirit of ASM4P, talking about our programs aimed at helping children often falls on deaf ears. In fact, one man in particular wondered why we cared about the kids in Iraq and Afghanistan at all, and then suggested the US just bomb the entire region until nothing is left standing.
There. That’ll fix it.
Unlike wars in the past, these just aren’t situations where either we win or we lose. In fact, they aren’t even situations where if things are going badly that we can simply cut our losses and quit the game. The truth is that with the security of the world at stake, we are a part of a game that we can’t really ever get away from…whether we want to play or not. The world we live in is getting smaller every day, and borders between countries will never be secure enough, airport security will never be tight enough, and we can never build walls high enough to keep out the terrorists who seek to do us harm.
Unfortunately, turning our backs and saying “we can’t win so we don’t want to try anymore” isn’t really an option. That would be like giving up on fighting crime in a gang-infested neighborhood in the US because we don’t think we can stop it. Everyone knows that giving up and walking away would only make things worse—fast. What we need are new ideas and energy to address the problem from the inside out.
After 9+ weeks, we believe more than ever that one of the most important things we as Americans can do is begin a systemic peace-building effort. An effort that begins with helping the kids on both sides see new options for their lives, helping them see their would-be adversaries in a new light, and giving them the opportunities to help rebuild their communities from the grass roots level up.
Will it take time?
Yep.
Will it take patience?
Yep.
Will it take an open mind, a united front, and a focus on one small success at a time? Yep, yep, yep.
The thing is, while the task may feel overwhelming, new possibilities fueled with new energy not only can change the world…it’s the only thing that ever has. War Kids Relief is here to provide the possibilities if the kids will provide the energy for the fuel. But most importantly, we need America to believe in us, to not turns their backs on the problem, and most of all, to not give up hope.
Monday, August 31, Knoxville, IA
Yesterday, Gunnar and I arrived in Knoxville, Iowa with not a single thing on our agenda. No kids to meet with, no reporters to meet with...nothing to do but just chill and enjoy a quiet day in a small Iowa town. That is, until we met Rick, the owner of the local RV Park, and self-appointed ASM4P public relations director for the greater Knoxville area.
Just like every other place we have stayed, we pulled in to the park, registered with the owner, and told the story of ASM4P. Most of the time when people hear about ASM4P they say “oh, how nice, that’ll be $20, please.” Some of the time, they offer to let us stay for free as a contribution to ASM4P. But this is the first time that the owner immediately got on the phone and called a reporter from the local paper to come out and do a story on Gunnar. I confess that I have been slacking a bit this weekend on the PR, but Rick really put me to shame.
And that was just the beginning.
Within one hour of our arrival the reporter had already come by our RV to get the story. That evening, Rick invited us to attend the local Sprint Car Races (apparently, Knoxville is home to the Sprint Car Hall of Fame and race track) where he had arranged for the announcer to honor Gunnar and ASM4P over the loudspeaker for the cheering crowd. And by this morning, Rick had lined up a radio interview at the local radio station, as well as an interview with a local magazine reporter. Check out our radio interview at: http://lightningstream.surfernetwork.com/Media/player/view/knia23.asp?call=knia2&file=indepthwed.wma&title=KNIA2 RAMP&skin=KNIA2
Rick is now my BFF of all time for doing my job for me for a couple days! Thanks, Rick...I'll get back to work now. :)
***
So everyone…we have one week to go. If, after reading nine weeks of my rambling blogs, you agree that this effort is worthwhile, here is what you need to do:
1. Believe it. Don’t assume that avoiding this issue will make it go away, or that it will only affect people in some far-flung region of the world. We are all interconnected and, eventually, it will affect us right here at home.
2. Do your part. Don’t assume that everyone else is doing the donating. Make the minimum donation of 1 penny per mile-- that’s only $10! This fundraiser was designed financially to give everyone the chance to be a part of the solution. You could dig that amount out of your couch cushions and your car ashtray right now!
3. Spread the word. Forward this message to even one other person and help them understand that this is something we can all do. And tell them not to give up hope either!
Thanks for your support everyone!!
Love, Dina
Will you help us help the kids?
