The Friend has received a lot of correspondence about the four peaceworkers, Tom Fox, Norman Kember, James Loney and Harmeet Sooden, being held captive in Iraq.
The following is a letter about Tom Fox received from Chuck Fager of Quaker House in North Carolina.
Friends,
Tom Fox is a friend of mine. He is also a Quaker who has borne a long and hazardous personal witness for peace in the midst of an immoral and unchristian war.
Tom and I were members of Langley Hilll Monthly Meeting in Virginia for many years. Our children grew up together there, and they are still in touch, though scattered across the country. Tom himself was very kind to me in a time of my personal need.
I spoke with Tom at Baltimore YM last summer, between his missions in Iraq. He seemed very aware of the dangers of his peace work, but quite calm and almost serene about facing them.
I pray that Tom Fox and his companions will be released safely and soon. To his captors I say, harming any of them will only bring dishonor on your cause, whatever that may be. And to the US government which launched this immoral and unchristian war in Iraq, I say, ending it and bringing our soldiers home is the best way to ensure the safety not only of Tom and his co-workers, but of the Iraqi people as well.
Others may also have information and memories about Tom. I last heard from Tom in an email in September, as he was preparing to return to Iraq. It was short, and I will include here only the quotation with which he ended it. It is from Hildegard of Bingen, but it could just as well be from Tom himself, and expresses his sweet spirit:
“Holy Spirit, giving life to all beings, moving all creatures, root of all things, washing them clean, wiping out their mistakes, healing their wounds, you are our true life, luminous, wonderful, awakening the heart from its ancient sleep.”
Chuck Fager, Director
Quaker House, Fayetteville NC
chuckfager@aol.com
www.quakerhouse.org
Chuck is also maintaiing a website with action that people can take at www.freethecaptivesnow.org. CPT has the latest news, campaign and vigil information at http://cpt.org/.