Stories of engagement: Ralph DiGia

Ralph DiGia[Editor’s Note:  Today’s story of engagement, by Ora Lora Spadafora, celebrates Ralph DiGia (1914-2008). Written as if in DiGia’s own voice, the tribute was presented in 2010 at the Peace Abbey in Sherborn, Massachusetts during a ceremony remembering conscientious objectors buried on the Abbey’s “C.O. Hill.”]

Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Ralph DiGia and I live and work for peace just as I have for many decades.

Thank you for inviting me here to tell my story. The first time I was in Massachusetts I came here to be in a protest rally for Sacco and Vanzetti. But I didn’t stay very long that time because I had to get back to the War Resisters League in New York, which offered me a great opportunity as a pacifist and worker for social justice. And believe me, there have been many opportunities.

Years later during the Vietnam War, I was sent to jail for three years because I was a Conscientious Objector for ethical reasons, but I guess those reasons weren’t good enough. Ah, but that was over forty years ago, and we still keep going to war.

Now it’s Iraq and Afghanistan, and soon it will be other countries yet to be named. We never do stop going to war, do we? And I’ve seen them all having lived almost through the entire twentieth century, including The War to End All Wars…and that was almost a hundred years ago now.

Can I tell you something, just between you and me? War doesn’t end war. Only peace ends wars. But if you’re here today, you already know that.

Sounds simple enough, but there are still many people who don’t believe that…I mean millions of people don’t believe peace ends war.

For the past twelve years that I’ve been resting here, I’ve had a lot of time to think about this. I have to tell you I can still feel that same fire and passion I did years ago. What it comes down to is renewing our vision.

But since I can’t get around the way I used to, I’d like to ask you keep this vision of peace alive. Vision is not the ability to predict the future; it is a commitment to pursue possibility.

This is the time to ask “Why Not?” once again. Not for our own sake but for those who come after us. Our children, our loved ones and for all those we’ve never met, but who also hunger and thirst for peace in their lives.

I’ve devoted my life to Peace and will always work towards that no matter what the consequences are! So please join me. Thank you, and Peace.

Tribute to Ralph DiGia by Ora Lora Spadafora