University of Virginia Library

Silence, Readings Mark Services

Yesterday Services of Concern
and Intercession were held on the
front steps of the University
Chapel. There were four services
held, one at 8:50, 9:50, 10:50, and
2:50. All the services were the
same, consisting of readings of
modern proverbs, followed by short
periods silent prayer. The atmosphere
was one of thought and
tranquility, except for a minor
interruption by the University's
crew.

The proverbs were varied. They
ran from dous ley, who wrote
in "The Ecological Problem" in
1963...

"War," said Clausivitz, "is not
merely a political act, but also a
political instrument, a continuation
of political relationships...by other
means."

"This is no longer true. All-out
war with modern weapons is not a
continuation of previous policy: it
is a complete and irreversible break
with previous policy."

...to an appraisal of our stature
in Vietnam throughout the past few
years by various political and
military leaders.

Secretary McNamara, 1962 -
"I very quantitative measurement
we have shows we're winning this
war."

Admiral Harry Van Pelt. Commander-in-chief
of the Pacific, 1963.

"The South Vietnamese should
achieve victory in three years."

President Johnson, 1964

"I have had advice that I think
would enlarge the war and result in
committing American boys to fighting
a war that I think ought to be
fought by the boys of Asia. And for
that reason I haven't chosen to
enlarge the war."

President Nixon, 1969

"The War will be over in three
years."

The final proverb was taken from
"Sketches From Vietnam," by
Richard West...

"I asked one American who had
just ordered a strike on some huts
and some sampans (blowing the
latter to bits with parts of the boat
and bodies flying in all directions)
if our attacks like that did not kill
many harmless civilians. 'But
people shouldn't continue to live
here' he said."

Father Byrnes closed the service
with a short prayer, and dismissed
the thirty or forty listeners with the
words, "Let us pray."