Residents commemorate fifth anniversary of war in Iraq

Greenbelt vigil pays tribute to soldiers

Maffay-Tuthill and her son joined nearly 30 other residents March 19 on the lawn in front of the Greenbelt Community Center to honor those who have lost their lives in the war on terror.

The event, held jointly by the Peace and Justice Coalition of Prince George’s County and MoveOn.org, was one of many held across the country by anti-war groups marking the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq.

‘‘I do feel hope that there is a chance this war will end,” said Maffay-Tuthill.

Despite the rainy, windy weather, residents stood together surrounding a large tree singing uplifting songs like ‘‘Down by the Riverside.”

The question among many attendees was, ‘‘Why do troops remain in Iraq if Saddam Hussein was overthrown?” and ‘‘Where are these weapons of mass destruction?”

Lucy Duff, co-coordinator of the Peace and Justice Coalition, said she believes some Americans didn’t understand fully why the country went to war.

‘‘Many people have become aware of the false premises of the war. Certain people have come around and now believe it not to be true,” she said.

Duff’s sentiments were shared by 11-year old Jeremy Tuthill, Maffay-Tuthill’s other son.

‘‘I think [President George W.] Bush is the reason we went to war. When someone new is elected president, I think they should end the war,” he said.

Charlie Fahey, 10, of Greenbelt said too many lives are being lost.

‘‘There’s no point in having a war. There wouldn’t be any use in people getting killed,” he said. ‘‘I came out here to pay respect to those who died for our country.”

According to military statistics, 4,000 soldiers have died since the start of the war and 51 percent of casualties were under age 25. An estimated $12 billion is being spent monthly in Iraq.

Jacob Tuthill said the number of soldiers who have died is shocking.

‘‘It makes me think about families that have people in Iraq. I can’t imagine my brother or my sister out there and someone later told me that they died,” he said.

As handheld candles began to dissipate, the peaceful protestors shared similar opinions on how to end the war.

‘‘With new presidential leadership, we really have a chance to end this war. So, I am hopeful that our troops can come home,” Maffay-Tuthill said.