33 Comments
User's avatar
Roberta Baskin's avatar

What a heartfelt tribute to a sentinel for peace.

Maura Casey's avatar

Much like you, in your own way, sweet Roberta!

Elizabeth Kaeton's avatar

"The power of example is the most underrated of all influences."

Indeed, as is a ministry of presence and witness. Thanks for making him visible to more people, even in death.

Lisa H. Brownell's avatar

Although his voice has been stilled, he will continue to make a difference by reminding us why he bore witness all those years.

Ron Goldstein's avatar

Now he IS well known. Thanks to you Maura

Maura Casey's avatar

Thank you, Ron. He was a good man.

Anne Crumpton's avatar

Perhaps that is what each one of us could do. Stand on a corner until this craziness stops. A beautiful story. Thanks Maura 🙏

Jill D Brosnahan's avatar

What a wonderful piece. Another person I wish I had met in life! Thanks for shining a light on this wonderful man.

Maura Casey's avatar

I would like to think that people like Cal are in every community, but maybe not quite so public.

Mary Morgan's avatar

Ahhh Maura. This is so timely and eloquent. Thank you. 💞

Maura Casey's avatar

Thank you, Mary!

Genevieve's avatar

Singular dedication. I like that phrase. What a story. And what a way Carl chose to fill his days after becoming disabled.

Maura I have also touched base to check you are safe in this oncoming storm...🙏

Maura Casey's avatar

This storm is nuts! Snow is falling two inches an hour. Fortunately, my husband has a tractor with a blade, and my neighbor has a large bulldozer, and both are clearing the driveway as the snow comes down! It should stop 6 hours from now. Thank you for asking!

Ann Andrews's avatar

Thank you for seeking his story.

Susan Kietzman's avatar

I remember Cal standing in Bank Square, in front of the bookstore, with his sign. An effective silent protester. Thank you for this tribute, Maura.

Maura Casey's avatar

Thank you Susan!

Sandra Cammarata's avatar

Thank you for reminder to center ourselves and do Better.

Maura Casey's avatar

I think Cal would be surprised at the stir his death caused. It made the front page.

Phoebe Wall Howard's avatar

It’s 11:42p ET and I read this beautiful piece after a brutal day of work — and then news consumption. Made my cry. So powerful and important in these times. Thank you, Maura.

Maura Casey's avatar

Thank you, Phoebe! Cal’s vigils always made me appreciate the First Amendment that much more.

Deborah Kindel's avatar

Cal was the gentlest of men. He always had time to talk, but partly because speech required such an effort, he was also a good listener. I pulled over once in Fusconi’s parking lot outside of the Subase to ask him about his latest sign, and we ended up talking about the young enlisted sailors he knew on my husband’s boat. He knew more about them than I did. I know some people made fun of Cal or got angry about his quiet protest in a community that built and served on nuclear submarines, but most saw him as a familiar and faithful figure, one of our own. Thanks for such a sweet tribute.

Maura Casey's avatar

I love that he knew the young sailors and talked to them, and that they talked to him. His was an alternate view, but an important and deeply moving one. He was also a living reminder of the importance of the First Amendment.

Angela Treat Lyon's avatar

Thanks for that. I write about peace a lot, and just about always end up wondering why bother? His example serves to remind me that it isn't about replies or rebuttals or any kind of obvious results - it's about the steady drip drip drip of dedicated attention and expression of one's values. Good for him. I hope he's enjoying a lovely rest.

Maura Casey's avatar

Thank you, Angela!

thegsandwich's avatar

Well done, by Cal and you Maura.

Fred Pedersen's avatar

The world needs many more Cal Robertsons and many more Maura Caseys reporting on the Cal Robertsons.