First Presentation
February 15, 2004
A Great Success!
The Arlington West Memorial Project was presented for the first time at the Santa Monica pier by the Veterans For Peace. 540 crosses were set up in the sand, directly north of the pier and right next to the boardwalk, and were highly visible to the thousands of people who came out for a day at the beach.
Each cross represents an American soldier who has died in Iraq. The names, ages, hometowns and circumstances of their deaths were there for all to read on a plaque that was placed in front of this memorial. Another sign indicated that it would take the entire beach in order to recognize all of the Iraqis who have been killed in this war. All day long, thousands of beachgoers stopped to witness, read the names, contemplate and talk about this sad reality.
This will happen every Sunday. Similar observances take place on other beaches.
Photos by Elke Heitmeyer