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Finding storiesSome people in our churcheshave firsthand experiences relatingto World War II, orresistance to Vietnam, war taxresistance, or other forms ofconscientious objection. Othersmay know of stories passed on in their families. APeace Sunday theme of conscientious objection towar can provide the opportunity to find and recordthese CO experiences.Sample interview with Vietnam draftresister Monte CorwinAs a Christian, why is it important for to rememberthe stories of those who were conscientiousobjectors in the past?Remembering conscientious objectors in the pastprovides a legacy of religious objection to warfarethat present and future COs can draw on for support,instruction, and advisement when faced withsimilar decisions of conscience. This Christian heritageof objection to war in all forms thus becomesthe foundation, the common bond of reference forone and all. It provides today’s COs with an historicalprecedent for discernment and decision-makingif faced with imminent induction into the “involuntaryservitude” of military service.Throughout history, our forbearers were seen asradical, in part, because of their faith convictionsabout pacifism. Do you think Mennonites are seenas radical today?Within the broad Christian community, I believethat most would see Mennonites as sturdy godlyfolk, radical in their sense of reaching out andbeing ever ready to help those in need. Today, theirtraditional peace witness would be generallyknown but not seen so much as radical, as perhapsduring the past World Wars. Today, there are anumber of peace groups, both religious and secularand (especially in Canada) “untested” by anational conscription, as in these two previouswars.How does our Christian faith require us to be radicalpeace witnesses?For me, to assume a peace witness seems necessary,fitting, and proper, based upon my understandingof Scripture—as gleaned from the “good news” ofthe New Testament. My conviction of the Lord’sintention for worldwide peace, brotherhood, andjustice is so central and elemental in my soul, mycore of being, as to be ineffable to written expression.Suffice it to say that a peace witness “should”be essential to a proper faith perspective within anyChristian faith-based organization. Hopefully, mylife will be lived out as a personal reflection of thatconviction, that core belief.Historical Mennonite faith imperatives should berevisited and re-evaluated as the challenges oftoday are measured against those of the past. Thatis why it is so important to remember the stories ofthose who were contentious objectors in the past.May their experiences help to guide those who“contentiously object” to participation in any currentor future state-organized act of warfare, ornational aggression.Interview a WWII COsThe voices of the WWII COs are quieting as timemoves along. We do not have too many years leftin which we can hear their stories firsthand, so it isimportant to record their wisdom now.Prepare for the interview:Have good recording equipment and extra tapesand batteries. It is best to use clip-on microphonesand to sit close together. Test your equipment andknow its capabilities.Know your topic. It would be helpful to do a bit ofbackground research (e.g. That There Be Peace byLawrence Klippenstein, or Chapter 2 inMennonites in Canada, Volume 3, by Ted Regehr).Not all COs worked in the forestry camps. Someworked on farms, some in industry, some in hospitals,some in northern native communities.Ask open-ended questions and try to draw out theunique aspects of the story.Sample questions:1. Personal backgroundName, parents, where lived, church affiliation.2. War is declaredHow did it impact you?When you found out you might be called up forservice, what went through your mind?How did you decide not to join the military andopt for Alternative Service?Were there people you looked to for advice?Was there tension between you (or other COs) andpeople who were joining the military or had friendsor family in active service?41