Immature acts don’t deserve peace award

By Alta Cook

Capt. David Wisniewski, whose father is the athletic director at Regina High School, Iowa City, was deployed seven times ­- four to Iraq and three to Afghanistan. Courageously, he had saved 340 lives! However, recently and sadly, he made the ultimate sacrifice when his helicopter was shot down. David was a true American hero.

My oldest brother, a pilot in World War II, was shot down over Hamburg, Germany, became a prisoner of war, and received the Purple Heart.

My youngest brother, a gunner in the Korean War, received the Distinguished Flying Cross, a significant honor.

These brave men and countless other men and women in the military deserve our country's praise and thanks.

Unfortunately, now we have a Jesuit priest, Rev. John Dear, who also has a connection to airplanes. But, shockingly, instead of flying, he hammers on them! He was incarcerated for eight months for hammering on a fighter bomber at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, N.C. In September, he will be on trial in Nevada because of another airplane controversy at Creech Air Force Base. This priest's agenda reminds me of the Vietnam era when activists marched downtown in Iowa City, where some threw bricks through the windows of businesses.

Why am I particularly concerned about Father Dear? He has been chosen to receive the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award at St. Ambrose University (Davenport) in October. This award honors Pope John XXIII's encyclical. However, I doubt very much this pope would have approved of the immature act of protest by hammering on airplanes!

It is obvious that Father Dear loathes the military. He made the disturbing and unrealistic statement, “You can no longer be Catholic and support war in any form.” He has been arrested more than 75 times for his actions.

This Peace and Freedom award given to Father Dear, a resident of New Mexico, should be rescinded!

No one likes war. But we also realize that anyone betraying our country with a childish outburst is an insult to brave men and women who are putting their lives in jeopardy for our freedom.

The Diocese of Davenport has just completed a $22 million campaign entitled “Moving Forward in Faith and Hope.” Much of the money collected was contributed by various church parishioners. Of that amount, $1.5 million is to be given to the Office of Social Action, which oversees this Peace and Freedom Award. It is hoped that wise decision-making by this office will occur if parishioners' moneys are involved.

Alta M. Cook is a retired language arts teacher in the Iowa City school district and a City High Hall of Fame inductee.