SUN 10/30: Arlington West Marks 2,000th U.S. Troop Death in Iraq with Candlelight Vigil

Veterans for Peace / Arlington West Memorial

On the Occasion of the 2,000th U.S. Troop Death in Iraq

Veterans for Peace Invites the Public to Attend Special Candlelight Vigil Sunday October 30th at Arlington West in Santa Monica

WHO: Special Invited Guests include: Members of Gold Star Families for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, and Iraq Veterans Against the War

WHERE: Arlington West is North of the Pier at Santa Monica Beach

(Santa Monica 10 Freeway and Beach)

WHEN: Sunday, October 30th

TIME: 7:30 AM – Help set-up crosses

4:00 PM Help set-up - candles

5:00 - 7:30 PM Candlelight Vigil

8:00 PM Help break-down crosses

NOTE: DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME CHANGES ON SUNDAY

TO VOLUNTEER CONTACT: Steven Bowers

213.447.5424 / sbowers@onebox.com

SANTA MONICA (Oct. 23)-- On the eve of this milestone, the 2,000th troop death in Iraq, Veterans for Peace invites families with loved ones who are serving in Iraq, families whose loved ones were killed in Iraq and families whose loved ones may deploy or re-deploy to join a solemn public memorial and candlelight vigil.

Crosses will be erected in the sand by Veterans for Peace and volunteers next Sunday, October 30th at Santa Monica Pier like every Sunday, only for the first time will include 2,000 markers. A tribute not only to the fallen U.S. soldiers in Iraq, but also to the countless Iraqi civilians.

Flag draped coffins will rest in forefront, beside a 20 foot long board that names the dead servicemen and women. Visitors are invited to write the name of a soldier, any personal comment, and with a fresh flower, place an identity to each cross.

Volunteers are encouraged to come early to help set-up or stay late to help break-down the temporary cemetery. Please bring your own candle.

In Addition: Veterans for Peace will sponsor a special Veterans Day Weekend program November 11-13 at Arlington West on Santa Monica Beach north of the Pier.

ALSO: Sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee, on the day after the 2,000th reported U.S. military death in Iraq, people will gather in communities across the U.S. to say that the country’s pro-peace majority wants Congress to stop the deaths by stopping the dollars that are funding the war.

At the current death rate this is likely to occur this coming week.

To find a site near you or to start a new site go to - http://www.afsc.org/2000/

###