Veterans For Peace brought Arlington National Cemetery to San Diego. The group calls the display of 1,378 crosses “Arlington West.”
Flags, veterans and families lined Pacific Coast Highway for the Veteran's Day Parade to cheer and honor those who’ve fought and died for America in war.
Just a block away, on a small green parkway mound across from the USS Midway is a makeshift cemetery. Veterans for Peace call it the Arlington National Cemetery West.
Army veteran Deborah Schneider, a volunteer with the group explained the little memorial represents a big loss, specifically the 1,378 US troops killed and 7,266 injured in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
“This is one way of showing the American public the human cost of the war,” said Schneider.
Two small flags flanked the 12 inch high wooden crosses, Star of David, Islamic Crescent, Buddhist Wheel and Hindu symbol.
Throughout the day, people stop and add photos of their lost warriors.
“I’ve had several friends killed during war—these acts are a testimony of those who have gone before us,” said Ed Coffer, a Marine for 27 years.
After walking by the memorial, Coffer added, "Anytime you bring attention to these souls that have past, it should be honorable.”
Ed also said he honors the Veterans for Peace movement, calling today’s conflicts "complicated."
"No one knows the problems of war better than the people who are in it right now."
Problems, said the Veterans of Peace, they hope will end soon.
The memorial will be on display through Saturday, November 13th.
