The war on terror has changed the way many people live their lives. For some, the change amounts to minor inconveniences such as longer lines at the airport and higher fuel prices. Yet for others, the war has struck home in ways many could not comprehend.

A mother who lost her son in Iraq continues to protest in DeKalb, despite her painful memories.

Brian Slavenas, born in DeKalb, went through the city’s school system, starting in fifth grade and graduating from DeKalb High School. Brian was a first lieutenant in F Company’s 106th Aviation during the Iraq war and was put on active duty in Feb. 2003.

On Nov. 2, 2003 — three months before he was to be done with active duty — Brian was shot down by hostile fire while piloting a Chinook helicopter near Al Falluja, Iraq.

Brian was said to have died of multiple blunt-force injuries.

Brian’s mother, Rosemarie Dietz Slavenas, actively opposed the war in Iraq before bombing even began.

Rosemarie is a member of the DeKalb Interfaith Network for Peace and Justice, an organization that provides instruction in peaceful resistance.

Many have berated Rosemarie for her views on the war in Iraq because she does not feel her son sacrificed his life for his country, but that he was murdered.

“I have been called an evil shrew who lost her hero son,” Rosemarie said.

Rosemarie’s strong opposition to the war has also resulted in hate mail being sent to her.

When asked if she thought the war might start to turn around for the U.S., she said the war would get better for the U.S. when we leave — except for the people pumping gas out of there.

“He didn’t have to die to be a hero to me,” Rosemarie said. “I would like to go to Falluja tomorrow and kneel where he was murdered.”

Brian was what many would consider an “all-American boy.” He was involved in marching band, threw discus on the track team, was a math-lete and loved to roller blade. Brian even worked at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, guarding the torch.

Many regarded Brian as a “gentle giant.” He was 6-foot-5, but was always quiet and reserved.

After graduating from high school, Brian joined the military and spent two years in Italy as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division.

After returning from Italy, Brian attended NIU for two years and then went to the University of Illinois, graduating from the college of engineering with a major in industrial engineering. Brian attended the school mainly for their flight program, where he learned to fly Chinook and Huey helicopters.

Congressional canidate John Laesch will speak Thursday at an anti-war protest in the MLK commons.