Patch Letter: For Love of Country - Every Friday?

For nearly a decade, two groups of caring, passionate and patriotic citizens have assembled at the opposite corners of Honolulu and Ocean View Avenues in beautiful downtown Montrose to make a point.

Every Friday afternoon, pedestrians and drivers alike in our tree-lined, Mayberry-esque surroundings, witness a peculiar ritual: the gathering of a handful of proud, flag-bearing military veterans (and their supporters) on the southeast corner in a silent face-off with an equal number of lively, flag-bearing peace activists (and their supporters) on the northwest corner. Occasionally, drivers will honk their horns to show solidarity with one side or the other, but it is never really clear to which side their support belongs as the street corners are a mere 15 yards apart.

I do not claim to understand the rich complexities of their relationship nor am I trying to mock this delicate situation. While I have an idea why they choose to do what they do, I do not know if they have ever met or have spoken with each other. I categorize this arrangement as peculiar because, from my perspective, these two groups do nothing more than simply gather and stare at each other.

Don’t get me wrong. I am quite aware of the symbolism presented here. As a native Californian and 20-year resident of this neighborhood, I totally respect the loyalty and dedication on display. After all, these are my neighbors. The right to peaceably assemble is guaranteed in the First Amendment of the Constitution. While one side of the street may feel the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are unjust and the loss of American lives unacceptable, it is just as fair to say their right to protest has been maintained for more than 235 years through the strength and continued service of our armed forces protecting American lives and its freedoms.

I just find it heartbreaking that these two groups have so much in common – love of country and our troops stands out clear – yet seemingly find it more important to represent opposite ends of the spectrum than to look for common ground. In addition, I find their lack of dialog and communication both deafening and, quite frankly, unproductive.

John Wooden, the late UCLA basketball coach, often chided his players to “not confuse activity with achievement.”

While I do not claim to have all the answers, there is a great danger to let our disagreements divide us. There must be a way to end this local stalemate in a way that benefits our community and our country while also setting an example to the rest of the world on how to peacefully overcome our differences. If that means the rest of us have to go out on the northeast and southwest corners with signs that say 'Please Talk to Eachother,' then so be it. Whatever it takes to get to the business of helping our neighbors and making America better than ever.