Mennonite Weekly Review

What could have been a situation of being singled out for being different turned into a great opportunity to witness for peace.

Sophia Harder Kouay of St. Paul, Minn., wears a nametag reading, “Grandfather Leo J. Harder, Civilian Public Service, 1944-46.”

My 9-year-old daughter, Sophia, sings in Cantabile, a children’s choir based in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area. I had some misgivings when I noted the schedule included a Veterans Day concert at the local Veterans Administration Hospital.

My concern turned to dismay when we received an e-mail from Sophia’s choir director asking us to think about family members (or close friends) who had served or were serving in the military. We were asked to provide the information regarding the relative’s name, branch of ser­vice, rank, dates of service or conflict (Vietnam, World War II, etc.), as well as location of service. This information would be placed on name tags the children would wear at the concert. Afterward they would talk with the veterans.

In considering how we would tactfully decline the request, I consulted with Joetta Schlabach, our pastor at Faith Mennonite Church in Minneapolis. She asked whether my father had served in Civilian Public Service during World War II. When I answered that he had, she suggested that I provide that information to the choir director. She suggested this might be a constructive way to inform others about those who served their country in peaceful ways.

I discussed this idea with Sophia, and she said this was something she wanted to do. I e-mailed Sophia’s choir director and informed her that we are Mennonites and do not participate in the military. I told her I did not have an issue with bringing joy via singing to those who have served in the military and that it seemed like a good idea for Sophia to participate in the concert. I explained that we Mennonites are proponents of peaceful service around the world.

I recounted that during World War II my father served in CPS, where he was engaged in a number of projects focused on helping others, including fighting forest fires in California. I also told her that during the Vietnam War my brother completed alternative service with Mennonite Central Committee in Bolivia, where he worked with agricultural development.

I did not want Sophia to be singled out for not wearing a badge with military information on it, so I asked if Sophia could wear a nametag with the names of her grandfather and uncle and the places where they served in peacebuilding activities. I suggested that this might be a helpful way for others to learn about alternative problem-solving approaches.

I was not sure what the director’s response would be.

In less than an hour, I received an e-mail from the director, who said she was pleased to know of the long history my family has had in working to build peace. She said she was absolutely in favor of having Sophia submit her grandfather’s name and that he served in CPS.

She also offered to assist in helping to educate the other children in the many ways that peace and service can be realized. She ended her e-mail by saying our greatest strength as a country lies not in might, but in service.

Sophia performed in the concert and wore the peaceful nametag. She was happy to explain to those who asked what the information on her tag meant.

Kathleen Harder lives in St. Paul, Minn.