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March 20, 2003
Life´s rhythms pause as war talk intrudes
By DONNA CALLEA | News-Journal Staff Writer
DAYTONA BEACH — War and peace are weighty issues to contemplate while serving coffee in a diner, sitting in a barber's chair or watching toddlers play on the beach.
But with Operation Iraqi Freedom in full swing Thursday, the rhythms of ordinary life were punctuated, for many people, by the unsettling realization that we're a country at war.
In Volusia and Flagler counties, there were prayers and protests, shows of patriotism, and worries of retaliation. Field trips were canceled at area Catholic schools and Volusia County public schools. More American flags than usual were on display.
Mostly, though, people went about their business as usual, while monitoring events unfolding half a world away.
"I'm not in favor of war for war's sake," said Joe Garber, 79, who was getting a haircut at the Mason Barber Shop, where a small TV was tuned to network news. But he believes this war is necessary.
"I think we're doing the right thing," said the Ormond Beach resident, who knows, firsthand, what war is like.
Garber was 18 when he signed up to fight in World War II. He was 20 when he was shot down over Germany. And he spent a year in a prisoner of war camp where he was starved and beaten.
"Freedom is paid for with great sacrifice," he acknowledged. But that freedom includes the freedom "to have a difference of opinion." Which is why Garber said he has no problem with people protesting the war or criticizing the president.
Caroline Smith, 72, a long-time waitresses at Hampton's Restaurant, said she doesn't like what's happening.
"I don't like it on account of our boys," she said, after making sure her customers' coffee cups were filled. "They don't need to be over there."
She's also concerned about innocent people in Iraq suffering. Not that she doesn't think Saddam Hussein is a threat. But "they should have finished it the last time. His daddy should have finished it," said Smith, referring to the 1991 Persian Gulf War, when President Bush's father was president.
Lori Pastrana, meanwhile, said her worries are focused on the home front.
"I'm afraid of what's going to happen," said the 29-year-old Port Orange resident as she watched her 2-year-old twins play on the beach. "How secure can you be?" asked the former New Yorker who was on Long Island when the World Trade Center was attacked.
"I'm trying to be optimistic," she said. But war "changes everything."
So does faith, believes Donald Gonzalez, who hadn't been to church for a long time, but felt compelled to attend Eucharist services Thursday at St. Mary's Episcopal Church because of the war.
"It's why I'm here today," said the 71-year-old Holly Hill resident. "I wandered away but I had to come back today to pray for our men in Iraq and the people of Iraq."
Many others also turned to their churches for solace and direction.
At Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, for example, parishioners planned to make 1,000 paper origami cranes to hang in the church as symbols of peace. And signs in front of numerous houses of worship throughout the area encouraged people to pray for peace, the president and the safety of our troops.
The war also is having an impact on some Spring Breakers, whose messages of patriotism are coming from unexpected sources.
"I saw (rapper) Vanilla Ice last night and he said to support the troops," noted Jeff Doyle, a 21-year-old senior from Clarkson University in New York. Even while on Spring Break, Doyle said he's been following news of the war, which he supports.
"It had to be done," said the chemical engineering major who's thinking about becoming a Navy fighter pilot after graduation. And not just because the job market is so bad in his field.
"It's a necessary thing to protect freedom," he said.