For some women, Mother’s Day will never be the same—especially women like Cindy Sheehan and Sue Niederer, whose G.I. sons are among the nearly 1,600 U.S. dead in Iraq. Cindy and Sue are founding members of Gold Star Families for Peace, an organization for families of soldiers who have died in war. The mission of the group is "to be a positive force in our world to bring our country’s sons and daughters home from Iraq… and to prevent other families from the pain we are feeling as the result of our losses."

Cindy Sheehan’s son, Spc. Casey Sheehan, was killed in Sadr City, in April 2004. As Cindy wrote in an article for Buzzflash.com: "We Gold Star Families for Peace are not giving up the fight to hold someone in this administration accountable for the quagmire in Iraq and the more important struggle to bring the rest of our children home from this devastating occupation now. It takes most of our energy just to get out of our beds in the morning and mourn our horrific losses."

Sue Niederer’s son, Army First Lieutenant Seth Dvorin, died in February 2004. In September, Sue attended one of Laura Bush’s campaign speeches, vigorously demanding the First Lady’s response to one question: Why aren’t the children of senators and legislators serving in Iraq? For her efforts, Sue was hauled off and arrested, while her shouts were drowned out by the audience’s chanting, "Four more years! Four more years!"

Early organization efforts for a national mother’s day observance focused on reconciliation between Union and Confederate families, an end to all war, and commitment to peaceful resolution of conflicts. In a fitting tribute to the original intentions of Mother’s Day, Pocono Progressives is honored to present a forum with these two courageous women on Saturday, May 7, at Pocono Cinema, 88 South Courtland Street, East Stroudsburg, beginning at noon.

Directions to the Pocono Cinema: From Lehigh Valley Area: From 22 West or East or I-78 West or East, take exit for 33 North. Travel 21.7 miles to US-209 N toward Stroudsburg (a few more miles if coming from I-78), which will merge onto I-80 East. Take PA-611/Park Ave exit and turn LEFT at end of exit ramp. Go 3/10 mile and make RIGHT on Main Street/US-209 Business. Go approximately 1.1 miles on 209 BR, ++and after Kmart plaza, bear left to follow sign for Courtland Street. Pass CVS and post office, and you will see marquee for Pocono Cinema two blocks ahead.

From I-80 Westbound: Take Broad St/PA-191 exit. At light, you will converge with US-209 Business (Main Street); stay on 209 BR and follow ++directions above.

From I-80 Eastbound, take PA-611/Park Ave. exit and follow directions for above.