Reply #13: In both Santa Barbara (where Arlington West began) & Santa Monica this is an ongoing memorial

[Hekate]

In both places Arlington West is sponsored by the local chapter of Veterans for Peace. Santa Barbara's is there every Sunday on the public beach by Stearns Wharf, and enjoys strong public support, including the Mayor and City Council. I don't know all the details about Santa Monica's AW, but they have been doing this a long time too.

Arlington West has inspired many other memorials, but setting up the crosses (or tombstones or whatever) not only takes up a lot of space but involves punching holes in the ground -- the holes are no problem in the beach sand, but they are definitely a problem in grass, so not all locations are suitable.

The response to Arlington West has been overwhelmingly positive. Passersby are simply aghast at how many crosses there are. Santa Barbara's crosses have names on them, and approximately 20% have been sought out specifically by family members or brothers-in-arms of the fallen. Cindy Sheehan came to AW with her family on the Mother's Day after her son Casey was killed in Iraq.

For more information you can go online.

Hekate