I have decided to wear, in bow tie fashion, this breastplate display "Why? 3,586 Taps" (or the latest number corresponding to soldiers killed in Iraq) around my neck and on my chest, until our soldiers leave Iraq. We have a right to pursue happiness and peace.

"Why? 3,586 Taps." This is the message on the breastplate that hangs around my neck like a bow tie and rests on my chest. Only the numbers change, unfortunately, much too often. The words remain the same. When I began wearing this breastplate display on Memorial Day, 2007, the number was 3,454. On Independence Day, July 4, 2007, just a few days over a month, that number was 3,586. I updated the numbers seven times to include the 132 soldiers who died during that period.

If you have not already figured out the message, of course you have, this is the number of American soldiers killed in Iraq, a number that is already greater than the number of people who died on 9/11/01. Not included in this number are the wounded soldiers, a number that is seven times greater than the number of those who died. Neither does this number include the 200,000 Iraqis who have died in this war.

Take a moment and reflect upon the pain and misery that are being experienced, especially, by the loved ones - parents, spouses, children and friends - of these dead soldiers. Yes, we honor our soldiers. I have not met an American who does not honor our soldiers. As a veteran of the Korean War who served in the military four years and one day, how can I not honor our soldiers. To dishonor them would be to dishonor myself. Like many Americans, I do not honor the behavior of those who sent our soldiers into this preemptive war in Iraq. But despite the lies we were told it is not just the President and the Congresspersons, although they must be held responsible for this war and the deaths of our soldiers, the American people are not without blame.

Accorfding to a Pew Charitable Trusts poll 87% of Evangelical Christians in May of 2003, approved of the war. However, there were many Christians, including Pope Paul II, who opposed the war. My personal poll reveals that 96% of Americans of African descent opposed going to war. It should be pointed out that a few Congresspersons did not support or authorize the war, too few to be sure. Each person is required to do his/her own thinking, and act rationally and allow love to direct his/her actions. When we do these things we will refuse to support, even oppose, governmental polices that are hegemony skewed.

Yes, even though, as a practice, I do not wear labels or display signs, on my person, not even a cross or flag, I have decided that I will wear this breastplate banner, "Why? 3,586 Taps" (updating with the current numbers) until American soldiers leave Iraq. The information is printed on a 5 1/2 x 3 1/2 leaflet with "Why?" in medium-size letters, on the top line, "3,586" (or the correct number) in large print on the second line and "Taps" in small letters on the third line. Let me say that I do not need to wear a cross to declare that I am a Christian. I have better ways of doing that. As a song says, "They will know that we are Christians by our love." Neither do I have to wear a flag to declare that I am a good American. If anyone is interested in knowing whether or not I am, listen to my story and observe my behavior. In the meantime, take my word for it. Presumptuous you say? Not at all. I am America.

When people ask me what does my breastplate display message mean? I say to them, "Begin with the bottom line,"Taps." Usually, after a few moments of reflection they will say "That's the number of soldiers killed in Iraq." I respond "That's right." People' interest in my breastplate display message gives me an opportunity to raise their awareness or consciousness and, hopefully, challenge them to help end the needless killing in Iraq. Or, at least engage them in conversation about the Iraq War. During these conversations I let people know that I, like all Amerians I know, honor our soldiers in Iraq, but I do not honor the behavior of those who sent them there. I say to them, sometimes in paraphrasing these words of John Donne, "Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind, And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

If you have been challenged by reading this article you may want to join with me in wearing around your neck, "Why?3,586 Taps" as a breastbplate display. Remember, unfortunately, the numbers will change from week to week, if not day to day. Should you decide to join me in wearing this breastplate display would you be so kind as to let me know? I would like to know your pro or con response to this article. Just leave your message at the end of this article.

Thank you for caring enough to make a difference. This is my and your America. We have a right to be here. We have a right to let our voices be heard. We have a right to take right action. We have a right to pursue happiness and peace.

Copyright 2007 by Uriah J. Fields