Dec. 8th Peace Vigial In Memoriam to Ruth Beebe, Activist and NC-VFP member

The North Country lost one of its most ardent social activists on December 4th, 2007. Ruth Beebe slipped away from us at 3 a.m. but her memory will endure in the activism she inspired in so many of us.

Ruth was a dedicated, tireless worker for a peace, the environment and social justice. At 87, she would attend the weekly peace vigils in Potsdam, regardless of the weather, whenever her failing health permitted her to. She set an example for all of us who want to promote peace in our troubled world.

Directly below is a photo of the memorial peace vigil held in Potsdam on 12/8/07 in honor of Ruth. Other photos show Ruth at earlier peace vigils.

North Country residents attending the peace vigil in honor of Ruth Beebe.

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Ruth Beebe at an August, 2007 peace vigil. She was happy working for peace with every generation.

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Ruth at the February 10, 2007 peace vigil. It was bitterly cold that day due to strong winds. Weather was not an obstacle to Ruth's activism.

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Ruth speaking at a public forum that followed a large peace rally in Potsdam. (March, 2006)

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L to R: Miles Manchester, David Crechanowski, Rob Jewett, Frank Theis, Donna Jewett joined thousands of people from northeastern parts of the US for a peace rally in Syracuse, NY on Sept. 29th.

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Getting ready to march.

The peace rally organizers placed veterans' groups at the head of the parade.

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SUNY Potsdam students who participated in the peace rally and march in Syracuse.

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SUNY Potsdam students met on campus and then walked to the Potsdam Post Office with members of the North Country Veterans for Peace for the weekly Peace Vigil. Other members of the community joined them at the Post Office.

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SUNY Potsdam students, members of the North Country Veterans for Peace and citizens of the North Country hold a special peace vigil at the Potsdam Post Office.

The number of cars that "honk for peace" as they pass by the Peace Vigil has increased dramatically over the past few weeks.

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North Country Veterans for Peace, Chapter 121, marches in the Potsdam Memorial Day parade.

Roland VanDeusen (left) and Dale Pondysh (right) carry the Chapter's VFP banner.

Others participating in the parade included Frank Theis, John Casserly, Miles Manchester, Mike Mullen, Rob Jewett, John Lancaster, Dick Mooers, David Barnes, Max Coots, and Roger Cunningham.

Despite being told last year that we could not participate in the Memorial Day parade, this year we were near the front of the parade. The reception we received from onlookers was warm and respectful. There was frequent applause as we passed by and veterans in the crowd saluted us. What a difference one year makes!

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Post parade...

John Lancaster, Rob Jewett, Roland VanDeusen, David Barnes, Miles Manchester, Dale Pondysh.

About 90 people attended the peace vigil in front of the Potsdam Post Office.

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Ann Wright with member of North Country Veterans for Peace (Frank Thies, Mike Mullen Ed Bage, Miles Manchester, Dale Pondysh) and Phil Neisser (faculty member of SUNY Potsdam, behind Frank Thies).

Ann delivered a lecture entitled “Dissent in Democracy: How to Avoid the Next Avoidable War”. Nearly 200 people attended her talk despite sub-zero temperatures.

Background information about Ann Wright can be found in our News/Info section.

Poster for Ann Wright's talk (designed by SUNY Potsdam faculty member, Mark Huff)