Veterans for Peace (Gainesville, Florida chapter) constructed a memorial along NW 8th Ave in Gainesville to honor fallen American soldiers who died in Iraq or Afghanistan from 2001 through May 26, 2007. There are 3,844 tombstone cut-outs, each including a soldier's name, age, and date of death (except those stating "Name not yet released").
The memorial stretched nearly a mile: tombstones were arranged by date of death, with signs marking various events and dates. Volunteers manned an information table that included a list of the fallen soldiers and their tombstone's location.
Veterans for Peace local-chapter coordinator Scott Camil, a Vietnam veteran and anti-war activist, told the Gainesville Sun:
"We chose to focus on the current war because we feel like the only people who are really making sacrifices are the people who are over there and their families. For the general public, it's typically out of sight, out of mind. It's not going to be that way for people going on NW 8th Avenue on Memorial Day."
In 1971, Camil and other vets testified about atrocities committed during the Vietnam war, resulting in the documentary film Winter Soldier, which was re-released in 2005 at New York's Lincoln Center in 2005. The film has since played in cities throughout the U.S. and Canada (see New York Times review).
Awsome display!
Posted by: Pat Hawk | June 02, 2007 at 10:49 AM
Awesome display!
Posted by: Pat Hawk | June 02, 2007 at 10:49 AM
I agree. I found the memorial very moving.
Posted by: The Crux | June 02, 2007 at 12:49 PM