Remembering William (Doubting) Thomas & His Peace Vigil Across From The White House.......

Since 2001 I had the opportunity to visit Washington D.C. at least once a year on business. One of my favorite things to do when I arrived was to drop by and pay a visit to talk with William Thomas who held a Peace Vigil at Lafayette Park across from the White House. He started his vigil in 1981 after Reagan became president.



I met William on my first visit back in '01 - this was before 9/11. This was still at a time when D.C. was relatively 'tourist friendly' and didn't take on the feel of a city under constant fear of an attack.

My first encounter with William was one of skepticism and the thought he was just a wacko - but as I got to talk with him and understand his passion for his cause - I came to respect this person and look forward to seeing him and talking with him each subsequent year. During the BushCo years - I felt - at least there was someone in D.C. that knew what he was talking about - and that wasn't the resident in the White House - it was the one keeping vigil across the street from it.

This year was no different - at least I thought it wasn't. I arrived in D.C. Checked into my hotel and then scurried off to the White House to visit with William and see if he was more hopeful now that we finally had a change of resident in the White House.

My last encounter with William was in June 2008 - just after Scott McClellan's book - What Happened - was published. I remember this because I took his picture with him holding the book up and flashing me the 'peace' sign. We spoke at length about the Bush Administration and the fears of what they were doing to this country. He was hopeful that the tide was changing at that soon we have a new administration taking over. Though he didn't outright come out and say it - I felt that he was pulling for "Change" and Obama.

As always when our discussions were over - I felt good about our country and the fact that we have people like William - keeping vigil - keeping watch - and spreading the word of 'Peace'.

So you could imagine how excited I was to visit with him in June of '09 to get his opinion of the newest resident of the house he watched. I never was able to partake in his wisdom because much to my dismay - William wasn't there. Another chap took up Williams vigil. He told me that William died on January 23, 2009. I was devastated. So much so - I can't even remember the name of the chap that told me.

One thing I took with me though was that William did live long enough to know that Barack Obama was the new President as he died just 3 days after the inauguration.

Here is a link to another persons thoughts on William who has captured the essence of William: http://www.yellowstone-online.com/2009/01/mourning-loss...

I'm hoping that someone out there might either write a book about William; film a documentary or make a full length motion picture about William - because this is someone that all American's should know about.

In my mind he personified all that America is about. I will miss him.

I don't know if William's passing was mentioned here at DU back in January when he passed. If so - I missed it. I'm hoping that my posting this will inform others of his passing that may have also missed it.

I would like to hear if any DUer's had met William on visits to D.C. and if you had a chance to talk with him.

Please post your encounters here.

gone unnoticed here at DU. I guess I just missed it back in January.

I thought you might like to see some of the other peoples comments at the time including a few who had met him.

and tribute here to him. I agree with you, I always feel a little better knowing there are people in the world like this, who really live their convictions, and 'take it to the street'. RIP, William.