Reflecting on the war

Jenny Marder

Memories of soldiers who have lost their lives in Iraq scatter the

sandy shore of Huntington City Beach every Sunday.

Every Sunday morning before daybreak, three volunteers load up

three Honda Civics and transport hundreds of homemade crosses to the

Huntington Beach Pier where they are stuck in the sand in rows.

The memorial is part of a quickly spreading campaign called the

“Arlington West Project,” started by the national group Veterans for

Peace. Each cross is meant to symbolize a soldier who has died in

Iraq.

Organizers hope that the crosses inspire thought and discussion

about those who are losing their lives in the war in Iraq. The

project “refuses people the convenience of being in denial,” said Tom

Lash, a project organizer.

“This is a democracy,” Lash said. “If you don’t like what’s going

on, then you need to speak up and you need to say that. If you’re not

saying anything, then you’re supporting the current policy.”

Last weekend, 200 28 by 10-inch crosses were set up on the south

side of the pier, by lifeguard tower No. 3. They hope to have 500

crosses soon said James Ameen, another organizer.

“There are only a few of us making [the crosses] and we’re trying

to pump them out as quickly as we can,” Ameen said.

Near the memorial is a table with a list of soldiers who have

died. Personal messages written to the soldiers are attached to many

of the crosses.

“When people stop and they see the crosses, they start to focus on

the consequences of the war and they get away from glorified

entertainment aspects,” Ameen said. “They start to say, it’s so good

that you’re remembering these people. So many people are so glad that

there’s a memorial.”

Ameen served in the Navy from 1986 to 1989 and then in the Navy

Reserves from 1990 to 1994.

Al Appelv, 81, also served in the Navy, from 1943 to 1946 -- 40

years before Ameen. An active member of Veterans for Peace, Appel

applauds the volunteers’ efforts in erecting the memorial every week.

“It’s a way of communicating and saying, a tragedy has beset our

world and everyone should somehow relate as to how to bring about a

better world,” Appel said.