Published: March 16, 2007
Walk's message: It's time to come home
This coming Monday marks the beginning of the fifth year of the war in Iraq. And, while President Bush prepares to send more troops to Iraq and Congress continues to debate what it intends to do, the tragic loss of mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, sisters and brothers continues.

As of Wednesday, 3,192 Americans had sacrificed their lives in this unnecessary war, tens of thousands had been wounded, and an untold number of noncombatants had died.

Many people I know are torn. They oppose our continued involvement in Iraq, they want to do something, but they don't want to do anything that might imply any disrespect for the men and women making the sacrifices.

If you feel this way, join other Tallahasseeans from 7-9 p.m. Monday at Lake Ella for a luminaria walk. We will place more than 3,400 luminarias around the lake commemorating the coalition troops who have died in the conflict. "It's Time To Come Home" is both the name and message of the grass-roots group that has organized this event.

This is an event at which Tallahasseeans can honor the immense sacrifice of those who have died and, at the same time say: No more. It's time to come home.
SU ECENIA

Local group protests war with luminaries
Event marks fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq
Lauren Walleser
Issue date: 3/22/07 Section: News
Monday, March 19, a local group called Tallahasseeans Who Believe It's Time to Come Home lit almost 3,500 luminaries at Lake Ella on the fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq. From 7 to 9 p.m., participants walked around the lake and reflected on the war and those who have died fighting.

"Each luminary bag has the first name and the age of each soldier that's died, both the US and the coalition," said Su Ecenia, founder of Tallahasseans Who Believe It's Time to Come Home. "There's going to be no rally, no speeches, just a quiet reflection on the war and the lives lost."

Ecenia said she founded the group in October of last year after she had friends and neighbors join her to watch the film Why We Fight. A housewife, who does a lot of volunteer work, Ecenia began to think of creative and inclusive ways she and others could protest against the war. For example, in December the group hosted an art show at 621 Gallery in Railroad Square with the theme of war.... full article

Luminary Memorial Held on Fourth Anniversary of Iraq War
Reporter: Seshmi Robertson
Email Address: seshmi.robertson@wctv6.com
Together they lit each luminary, one by one. Members of Tallahassee's "It's Time To Come Home" organization commemorated this four year anniversary with 3,500 candle lights, one for each soldier who has died on the battlefield.

"There have been about 3,500 people killed and this is a fabulous way to see just how many people 3,500 is," said Susan Mau, an "It's Time To Come Home" member.

"It's amazing to me that we can ring this entire lake with bags and still have quite a few left over representing all the fallen soldiers in Iraq" said Susan Morley, another "It's Time To Come Home" member.

With the names and ages of each soldier killed written on the bags, they say their message is clear: it's time to bring the troops home.

"I'm absolutely convinced that what we're doing is going in the wrong direction, we are on a dead end street, we have to change our policy and being a part of this is a way to do that," said Walter Moore, a local resident.

"I'm interested in getting the troops home. I don't think we're doing any good over there, and I think we're making more enemies everyday by killing innocent people," said Ray Bellamy, a local resident.

But for others, this four year anniversary is just a reminder of the job the military was set out to do, and some believe giving up now isn't the answer.

"I wasn't particularly for the war to begin with, but now that we've gone in I don't think it would really be responsible to pull out. I'm definitely more supportive of the troops than I am of the war, but I just think it would be completely irresponsible to pull out right now," shared Sam Myrick, a local resident.

Many hoping that will happen sooner, rather than later.