A Parade Of Death Along Constitution Avenue

Two of the sixty-ton M1 Abrams tanks and one of the M109A7 Paladin Self-propelled howitzers that were among the hundreds of killing machines displayed in the June 14 parade.

I found it heartening that on the day of the nation's $45 million military parade in D.C. that some 30,000 attended a ceremony in Chicago's White Sox stadium Friday to hear Pope Leo XIV speak via video. According to the Catholic Diocese of Chicago, the first 10,000 tickets for that event, at $5 each, were sold in the first 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, the highly publicized event celebrating the Army's 250th anniversary drew a crowd of an estimated 20,000, and the No Kings Day gatherings across the nation Saturday attracted some 5 million participants in over 2000 cities.

I don't want to read too much into those numbers, and I intend no disrespect for the well over a million men and women who are a part of the Army's active duty and reserve forces  They, along with members of the Navy, the Air Force, the Marines, the Coast Guard and other military units, are all fellow citizens I respect and love, but are under the command of a gigantic Defense Department with a budget equal to that of the combined spending of the next nine most heavily armed nations in the world, including Russia and China.

What saddened me Saturday was the realization that our massive Department of Defense is intended to protect us by threatening the use of every means possible to destroy as many of our enemies' lives and means of livelihood as efficiently as possible. Not one of the multimillion dollar death dealing machines in Saturday's parade was designed to feed the world's hungry, heal its sick, house its homeless, preserve its environment, or educate its young. 

Yet some will say that kind of investment is necessary to protect us and to make the world a more peaceful and habitable place. But how has the world benefited from our prolonged wars in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, to cite some recent examples of how the world's greatest military might has been incapable of bringing peace and human wellbeing through military means.

As Lawrence Korb, assistant secretary of defense under President Ronald Reagan noted in a recent Wall Street Journal article, "To go marching down Constitution Avenue looks like you've won something, Unfortunately, the way things have been going, it's been pretty tough for our military to achieve its objectives lately." 

But what about World War II, you ask, which resulted in the loss of some 50 million lives and at a cost of trillions of dollars worth of destruction?

A far better way to have prevented that holocaust would have been having the citizens of pre-war Germany, then one of the most Christianized countries in the world, simply refuse to support the rise of an authoritarian and hyper-nationalistic regime bent on promoting "Deutschland Uber Alles." And a far better way to defend against enemies is to win their friendship through cooperative efforts at improving the lives and fortunes of our neighboring nations around the world.

The direction we are going now, a hundred years later, will almost inevitably lead us to World War III, the effects of which could destroy us all.

Pentecost And The Rocktown High School Graduating Class Of 2025

Our grandson Ian was an honored part of Harrisonburg's
Rocktown High School's first graduating class.

Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs.

Acts 2:9-11 (NLT)

I was impressed by how many nationalities were represented in the Rocktown High School class of 2025 Saturday night. As graduates' names were called out for each receiving their diploma, I couldn't help but note that the event was on the eve of the Christian celebration of Pentecost.  

The Hebrew word for Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks, is Shavuot, celebrated 50 days after Passover, a commemoration of God's gift of the Torah at Mount Sinai. And in the Genesis portion of Torah, we are told God's blessings are to extend to all the nations of the earth through a great multitude of descendants of Abraham and Sarah.

Here in our community people from multiple nations have become an integral part of our community, one that waa designated as a Welcoming City by the Harrisonburg City Council in 2016. Due to the availability of work in the poultry, agricultural and construction industries in the area, the proportion of foreign born persons in our area, according to one source, has grown to 16.7 percent of our population. This compares to 10 percent in the state of Virginia, and 13.7 percent nationwide. 

So there are now more than 50 languages spoken by students in the Harrisonburg City school system, which serves a total of over 6,400 students. Judging by the names of the 233 in the Rocktown senior class roster, well over half of the members of our grandson's class may be members of families with deep roots in, and strong ties to, other nations and cultures around the world. 

While followers of Jesus are called to "go into all the world," the world has literally come to us, and in impressive numbers. For all the challenges this can create, I see this representing a diversity that can truly bless us as we work, learn and grow together. What better way to become acquainted with other languages and cultures than to develop friendships with our neighbors from around the globe? 

I see the gift of tongues in the Acts account as not simply being a miraculous sign of the Spirit's presence, but a means by which people are able to communicate good news and a deep sense of shalom with God and each other. In the end, the Bible envisions a future in which Spirit-empowered communities everywhere faithfully live out God's will on earth as in heaven.

For these and other reasons we should resist by whatever means possible the current wholesale detention and deportation of our immigrant neighbors without due process. We need to remember we are all either native Americans, children of imported slaves or the sons and daughters of immigrants. And that as God's children we all made of one blood, breathe the same air, and are dependent on the same life giving soil and water for our survival.

In the forever future we are all to become one.

After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. Revelation 7:9 (NRSV)

Note: I recently posted the following by a local immigrant: https://harvyoder.blogspot.com/2025/05/guest-post-ices-impact-on-local.html

Top Reasons The Parole Board Cites For Denials

The real reasons behind the Virginia Parole Board's repeated denials may include resistance from victims and their families or from local jurisdictions unwilling to have an offender return to their community, though such reasons are never stated. And it may be that wardens welcome having mature older role models remain in the population as a positive influence for younger and/or more incorrigible ones, but that is mere speculation.

Whatever the case, most of the reasons cited for not granting release to deserving individuals have nothing to do with the degree of rehabilitation they have demonstrated during their incarceration.

Margaret Breslau, co-founder and chair of the Blacksburg-based Coalition for Justice, published the following in her June 2025 issue of the Virginia Prison Justice Network newsletter:

In 2024, the total number of incarcerated people eligible for parole was 2,663. Only 19 were granted.

The top non-grant reasons cited were:

1. Release at this time would diminish seriousness of crime. The Board concludes that you should serve more of your sentence prior to release on parole.
2. Serious nature and circumstances of your offense(s).
3. Extensive criminal record.
4. Your prior failure(s) and/or convictions while under community supervision indicate that you are unlikely to comply with conditions of release.

5. History of substance abuse.
6. Considering your offense and your institutional records, the Board concludes that you should serve more of your sentence before being paroled.
7. You need further participation in institutional work and/or educational programs to indicate your positive progression towards re-entry into society.
8. History of violence.
9. No Interest in Parole

Note: Here's a link to a post about legislation that would bring about needed changes in how parole decisions are made: https://harvyoder.blogspot.com/2025/05/the-virginia-parole-board-modest.html

Guest Post: ICE's Impact On Local Immigrants

Crimson Solano is the Executive Director of the
Harrisonburg based Coalicion Solidaria
Pro-Inmigrantes Unidos (COSPU)

Mr. Solano, who came to this country from Honduras in 1998, is here under a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) provision.  After meeting with our Valley Justice Coalition group Monday he  provided the following summary of his presentation, which I post with his permission:

I want to thank you for the opportunity to speak on an issue that is growing ever more urgent in our community—the current immigration climate and the weaponization of the judicial system that has placed immigrant families in constant fear.

In Harrisonburg and similar communities, we’ve seen an alarming trend: immigrants, both documented and undocumented, are afraid to attend their own court hearings. This includes criminal, traffic, family, and immigration court proceedings. The fear is not irrational—it’s based on real events and growing uncertainty. ICE enforcement in other jurisdictions, including courthouse arrests, has sent shockwaves that extend far beyond the cities where they occur.

What does this translate to? A saturation of “failures to appear,” contempt of court charges, and unnecessary escalation of minor offenses—particularly traffic violations—into broader legal troubles. This is not just about technical non-compliance; it’s a system-wide breakdown in access to justice, especially for those who need it most.

In immigration court, the fear is even greater. Many individuals facing removal proceedings abandon their cases altogether. That abandonment comes at a steep cost. When people stop showing up, they lose the opportunity for relief—sometimes permanent relief—such as asylum, cancellation of removal, or adjustment of status. They’re not opting out because they’re guilty or unqualified—they’re opting out because they’re terrified. They’ve seen that even U.S. citizens and long-time permanent residents have been mistakenly detained and placed into deportation proceedings.

Can I assure anyone that attending court or a routine ICE check-in won’t lead to detention and deportation? I cannot. And that’s a terrible reality for anyone who believes in the rule of law.

But we’re not powerless. There are practical steps we must take:

Education is the first line of defense. We must inform the community of their rights and legal options, and actively connect them to qualified immigration attorneys—not just when they’re detained, but proactively. Prevention is protection.

Emergency family preparedness plans. Every immigrant household should have a family emergency plan in place, including authorization for child guardianship, access to bank accounts, and legal contacts in case of detention.

Judicial and prosecutorial accountability.  Judges must ensure that defendants—especially those without legal representation—understand that even minor convictions can result in deportation. Prosecutors must be reminded of their ethical obligations under Legal Ethics Opinion 1876.

Let me expand on that.

In Virginia, not all district courts conduct colloquies—those vital explanations a judge gives to ensure a plea is entered knowingly and voluntarily. In many cases, when the Commonwealth agrees to “no jail time,” the court is not required to appoint a public defender. That means a noncitizen defendant could plead guilty, unrepresented, and without any understanding that this conviction will result in their removal from the country.

Legal Ethics Opinion 1876 makes clear that it is unethical for a prosecutor to knowingly take advantage of such a defendant. If a prosecutor knows the person is a noncitizen, knows the conviction is deportable, and knows the judge won’t advise the defendant, they must not quietly proceed with a plea deal that omits immigration consequences.

Similarly, the Supreme Court in Padilla v. Kentucky ruled that failing to inform a client of the risk of deportation constitutes ineffective assistance of counsel. The Court recognized that deportation is not a “collateral consequence”—it’s a life-altering event, often more severe than the criminal penalty itself.

Unfortunately, current court procedures and ethical rules still allow too much discretion. Some judges conduct formal plea inquiries; others do not. Some prosecutors seek to avoid injustice; others see an opportunity to gain a conviction without pushback. And worst of all, the system doesn’t reliably distinguish between noncitizens and citizens until it’s too late. Once in ICE custody, the burden to prove lawful presence lies with the person detained—not with the agency that picked them up.

We have (unofficial) reports that 42 (now 44) residents of Harrisonburg and the valley have been detained, taken into custody, and, in some cases, deported to their home countries. Across social media, people are witnessing undercover agents attending court hearings and making arrests outside the courthouse. This makes people fear going to courts in other places, including Charlottesville; people are afraid to attend court hearings and do not want to testify in court, fearing it will increase their chances of being taken into ICE custody or even deported. 

One example is a man from Venezuela who wanted to self-deport (as instructed) and to return to his home country. But in the process (through no fault of his own), he did not get the appropriate travel documents as a consequence of the lack of consular relations between the US and Venezuela when he voluntarily presented himself to ICE and requested to be sent back to his home country. He was taken into custody, charged with being a gang member.

What was the US government's proof that he was a gang member? Tattoos on his arm, his two sons' date of birth, a lion head, and a clock that shows the time of one of his kids' births; he is now in prison in El Salvador. We fear that he will never get his freedom back; the family doesn't even know if he is alive.

Another local example is a person getting a Driver's Privilege Card (similar to a driver's license) who had a previous deportation. In the process of being apprehended, five family members were also arrested! 

Another example is that of a Guatemalan mother who was arrested, leaving her two daughters (aged 14 and 2 ½ years) at home alone. Neighbors and other family members wanted to help, but they were also afraid of arrest. COSPU eventually came to the aid of the children and worked with the family to secure a Power of Attorney granting temporary custody to a family friend.

There was another case of two brothers being arrested on a road near Grottoes. They did not have legal status, but ICE is even arresting people who have documentation.

Does ICE perform these arrests in order to meet quota requirements? Yes.  And this administration is not only going after criminals or undocumented immigrants. During Trump's first term, he tried to terminate TPS for 465,000 immigrants living in this country legally, and they also appear to be in danger. The administration has revoked the legal status of individuals from three countries (with more to follow in the next 12 months) without adhering to the standard guidelines established by previous administrations since the program was created by Congress. Currently, there are approximately 2,500 TPS holders in the Valley; terminating their legal status to work could have a significant impact on our economy. Poultry plants and other businesses are already needing more workers. Some people have been working here for 10-20 years, including those in management positions, such as supervisors, leads, and business owners.

So what can we as advocates and community members do?

• Demand that local courts adopt Padilla advisements as standard practice in all plea deals, whether or not counsel is present.

• Push for public defenders to receive training on immigration consequences and support the creation of legal defense funds where needed.

• Urge prosecutors to reject the unethical practice of “undercharging” to deny immigrants the right to appointed counsel.

• Help immigrant communities prepare—legally, emotionally, and practically—for what to expect if detained.

• Finally, we must challenge the broader narrative that equates the judicial process with punishment. The rule of law must protect the rights of everyone under its jurisdiction, not just those with papers. Otherwise, it becomes not a shield, but a weapon.

At COSPU, we are more than just an organization - we are a coalition of individuals united by a common purpose: to empower and support immigrant families in our community. 

COSPU was founded over 15 years ago by a group of Salvadorians who wanted to share their traditions and contributions with our community. Funded on principles of solidarity and advocacy, we strive to create a welcoming environment where every immigrant can thrive and achieve their dreams. 

Our Vision: We envision a vibrant community where immigrants are not only accepted but also celebrated for their contributions to society. 

In our vision, immigrants are recognized for their resilience, hard work, and invaluable role in shaping the cultural fabric of our society. We dream of a place where every immigrant can live with dignity and pursue their aspirations without barriers.

Our Mission:

Our mission at COSPU is multifaceted and deeply rooted in our commitment to immigrant empowerment. Through solidarity aid and support, community leadership development, civic education, and the promotion of cultural events, we strive to uplift immigrant families and advocate for their rights. Additionally, we actively pursue legislative changes that foster inclusivity and equality for immigrants in Virginia and beyond.

Crimson S. Solano
Executive Director 
Coalicion Solidaria Pro-Inmigrantes Unidos (COSPU)
P.O. Box 923, Harrisonburg, VA. 22803
Direct: 540-860-0304
Like and follow COSPU on Facebook

A Memorable Story Of A Wounded Warrior

Some veterans are adopting the semicolon as
a symbol of their ongoing recovery and as a
reminder that suicide is an irreversible period,
and never the answer.

My friend Ben Wyse, who operates a mobile bike repair service, recently related the following story as shared by a wounded Iraqi War vet while Ben was repairing his bike.

His customer showed him the prosthetic foot he wore as a result of his service, but described the emotional wounds he suffered from the war as being far more traumatic than the loss of a limb. Too many of his fellow soldiers, he lamented, had committed suicide since returning to civilian life, adding to his own anguish as he pursued his personal journey of recovery.

One indelible memory he felt good about, however,  was about the day he was on a routine patrol and came upon an Iraqi civilian with a gun aimed directly at him. He instinctively got the perceived attacker in his sights and was about to pull the trigger when he realized his target was a child, or at most an adolescent. 

"At that instant I knew I could never in good conscience kill a kid," he said, and instead chose to rush toward him to physically disarm him. In those next adrenaline-driven seconds he prayed desperately that any incoming bullet would be aimed at his ballistic vest so that his life could be spared.

Upon tackling his presumed enemy to the ground, he saw that he was not only a child but that he held only a toy gun. "I could have never lived with myself if I had killed that kid," he said.

This was the proudest moment of his entire time in combat, he said, knowing he had saved the life of a child. And maybe realizing he had saved his own life as well.

My prayer on this Memorial Day is that God will bring healing to all who suffer from the devastation of war, and that we each do whatever we can to bring all war making to an end.

Here's a link to a Memorial Day post I wrote in 2013: 

https://harvyoder.blogspot.com/2013/05/does-world-need-new-religion.html

Following Christ Jesus Is Fun-damental

For the first time ever, I'm posting something on my blog with no comment.

WWJD? (What Would Jesus Drive?)

José Alberto "Pepe" Mujica Cordano, who served as the popular president of Uruguay from 2010-2015, drove this 1987 Volkswagen Beetle until his death in 2023.

Being the head of one of the greatest of the world's 195 nations would be too small a position for Jesus to fill, but if he were our president he would certainly refuse the offer of a $200-400 million luxury mega-jet as his means of transportation. At the climax of his ministry he chose a lowly donkey to ride as he led an unarmed and celebratory parade into Jerusalem at the beginning of Passover Week nearly 2000 years ago.

Today U.S. Pentagon accepted Qatar's gift of a 13-year old Boeing 747 some have valued at $400 million for use as the president's private plane. It will cost taxpayers an estimated $1 billion to retrofit this luxury airliner to make it secure and suitable as the next Air Force One. And the cost of operating this "flying palace" will be around $25,000 per hour of flight, and the total annual cost to maintain and operate the plane will be some $37 million a year.

During the president's first term he described Qatar as "a funder of terrorism," but all that has changed with the prospect of a profitable and peaceable relationship with this oil rich country. And the gift of a luxury plane.

Meanwhile former vice-president Mike Pence and even many of his Republican peers question whether accepting this kind of gift is ethical and constitutional. But the president is insisting it would be stupid to say, "No, we don’t want a free, very expensive airplane.” 

"A free very expensive airplane"

     The devil took Jesus up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their grandeur, and said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Get away from here, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.’ ”    

Matthew 4:8-10 (MEV)