email from Liz Denligner Reaves

Thanks for cc-ing me. I'm actually going to be at Duke on Friday, attending an open house with my husband. I wanted to contact you but knew you would be recovering from your event this weekend. I truly hope it went well. If you are around Friday, we would like a chance to visit while we are on the campus. Let me know [redacted].

I want you to know that you do have solidarity at Sojourners. After your article submission last week, I forwarded to some of my colleagues with my recommendation that we consider it and talk with you. As you mention, I did see a few short emails about what ensued after that, although it was all after the fact. After I read the email chain, I discussed my concerns with my colleagues who were part of the conversation at length. Although I respect my colleagues, I disagree with the decision they made (as we all do from time to time). At that time, I learned that Cathleen does have family in the military who recently served and a close friend who died in Iraq. I don't say this to justify her action, but so that you know she does have personal connections that go beyond her work. Also, she uses her gmail account for almost all of her correspondence, so it was not personal for you.

Again, I didn't reach out to you before because I knew you were frustrated and focused on "Beyond the Yellow Ribbon". My hope was to email you sometime soon. I am sorry for waiting so long to write. Please know that Duane and i discussed what happened - that you were not forgotten.

Please know that many of us continue to push for veterans within our organization and in all the work we do. I appreciate your witness to us and understand your anger.