Grandma planning to risk prison
Print Friendly VersionBy PATRICK O'NEILL
Columbus, Ga.
On Saturday, Valerie Fillenwarth of Indianapolis proudly sported a white T-shirt decorated with the hand prints of her 17 grandchildren, who call her Mop.
As she walked along Ft. Benning Drive, Fillenwarth, who was planning to get arrested with other grandmothers for "crossing the line" Sunday onto Ft. Benning, handed out copies of the statement that included comments for her grandchildren.
An arrest for trespass at Ft. Benning usually means a 90-day to six-month federal prison sentence.
"I think that the SOA should not be training soldiers to do bad things. I think you are doing a great thing. I will tell my friends that my grandma believes in a great cause and she is following though with it. I will try to make them understand that she is trying to stop bad things that are going on. I am proud to have a grandma like mine. Love, Brynne, age 10."
"I think you are doing a good thing. But I worry if you will all be safe. Love Annie, age 10."
"I am proud that my grandma is doing this. She is standing up against this school that trains people to be mean. I wish I could be brave like that. Erin, age 12."
[Patrick O'Neill is a freelance religion journalist living in Garner, N.C.]
Patrick, it was so nice of
Patrick, it was so nice of you to put this in your blog column. Do you mind if I add a line from Sam so he won't feel left out? He, Annie and Brynne are triplets and Erin is their older sister. Thank you, Patrick! Here it is:
Lots of people have died because of that school, and I hope you will be able to shut it down. Love, Sam,10
Peace to you.
Val Fillenwarth