Veterans for Peace / Arlington West

http://www.veteransforpeacela.org

Gold Star Families for Peace

http://www.gsfp.org/

POWERFUL: VETERANS DAY WEEKEND

PEACE PROCESSION ON SATURDAY NOV 12th

AT NOON IN SANTA MONICA

Peace Procession Led by California Contingent of Gold Star Families

Carrying Large Photos of Loved-Ones and Joined by Iraq Vets and

Veterans For Peace Including Famed Vietnam Vet Ron Kovic

Followed by 400 Pallbearers Carrying 100 Flag-Draped Mock Coffins

Peace Procession Begins at Noon From Arlington West / Santa Monica Pier

Saturday, November 12th Through Streets of Santa Monica

to Veterans Monument and Back

As the Death Toll for US Troops Killed in Iraq Rises to 2,062

WHERE: Starting at Arlington West the Santa Monica Pier, and looping back through streets of Santa Monica and Palisades Park. (see details below.)

WHEN: SATURDAY, NOV 12TH

7:30 AM -11:00 AM Assemble and drape with flags 100 mock coffins

11:00 AM - NOON: Media Availability with Gold Star Families

(see list below, Spanish speakers included)

NOON: 400 Pallbearers will carry 100 flag-draped mock coffins. The Peace Procession will begin at Arlington West and loop through the streets of Santa Monica. (see route below)

WHO: Ron Kovic, Vietnam Vet and author 'Born on 4th of July' and a contingent of California Gold Star Families will lead the march carrying large photos of their beloved husbands and children who were killed in Iraq.

Melanie House, of Simi Valley, CA, whose husband, HM3 John D. House, 28, was killed near Ar Rutbah in western Iraq on January 26, 2005

Vickie Castro, of Corona, CA, whose son Army Spc. Jonathan Castro, 21, was killed in Mosul, Iraq on December 21, 2004

Bill Mitchell, whose son Army Sgt. Michael Mitchell, 25, of Porterville, CA was killed in Sadr City Baghdad on April 4, 2004 (along with ‘Peace Mom,’ Cindy Sheehan’s son Casey)

Joanna Kubik, of Long Beach, CA, whose boyfriend Lance Cpl. Shane C. Swanberg, 24, of Kirkland, Wash, was killed in Ramadi, Iraq on Sept 15, 2005.

The Figueroa Family, of Lance Cpl. Luis A. Figueroa, 21, of Los Angeles, Ca, killed in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, on November 18, 2004

Along with a contingent of Iraq War Veterans and veterans from the Gulf War, Vietnam, Korea, and WWll. Including Ron Kovic, Vietnam Vet and author 'Born on 4th of July.'

12:45 PM: In Palisades Park, veterans will lay 5 wreaths at the Veterans Monument.

PROCESSION ROUTE: Leaving from Arlington West north of Santa Monica Pier on beach, up on pier, going North through Palisades Park, along Ocean Ave. In the Palisades Park, stopping at Veterans Monument (Ocean Avenue just north of Santa Monica Boulevard in Palisades Park.) Then the coffin procession will head East toward the Third Street Promenade, and South back to the pier.

2:00 PM: Back at Arlington West speakers include:

WHO: Ron Kovic, Vietnam Vet and author of 'Born on the 4th of July'

Melanie House, of Simi Valley, CA, whose husband, HM3 John D. House, 28, was killed in Iraq.

Vickie Castro, of Corona, CA, whose son Army Spc. Jonathan Castro, 21, was killed in Iraq.

Mimi Kennedy, actor/activist

4:30 PM: 2nd Candlelight vigil will begin.

Jeff Key, Iraq Vet Lance Corporal will play taps at dusk.

WHEN: SUNDAY, NOV 13TH

9:30 - 10:00 AM: Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, Director of Interfaith Inventions, will lead an interfaith Ceremony of Remembrance to commemorate the lives of those who perished and to comfort those who remain.

2:00 PM: Members of the interfaith community will speak and read names of the soldiers at Arlington West joined by:

WHO: Jane Bright, of West Hills, CA, whose son Army Sgt. Evan Ashcraft was KIA in Mosul, Iraq on July 24, 2003.

4:30 PM--The memorial will be put away until the following Sunday, when it will be reconstructed, as it has been displayed every Sunday for the past year and a half.

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