The word is out. I've organized a group under the name DoP Campaign to stay at a hostel in DC for the upcoming conference. Why did I do that, when my son has graciously invited me to stay in his room at L'Enfant at no charge? It was the least I could do. It was also the most I could do. I just hope I can come up with the traveling money!

I am proud that our tiny hostel group represents at least four generations. Emily Horswill's signature line says that she has been publishing for 71 years. That makes her old enough to be my mother - maybe even my grandmother! It is clear from Emily's article in OpEd News that Dennis Kucinich is her hero. Her fondest hope for the conference is to meet him in person. I hope that he has seen her article because if he has, I know he will seek her out.

At the other end of the continuum are Sonja and Molly, two eighth-graders who are coming to the conference under the guardianship of Sonja's mother. What lucky young women, to not only bear witness to an event of historic significance, but to participate in it! I think of myself at that age, and I didn't have a clue. Determined that my own sons would not grow up in similar ignorance, we did the "patriotism tour" when they were about that age; we saw the liberty bell, the Lady herself, the original of the Declaration of Independence, the Lincoln Memorial, the Viet Nam Memorial. We saw, but we didn't do anything. Our collective thanks is due to The Peace Alliance for recognizing that Sonja and Molly are the leaders who will bring our dreams of peace to fruition.