THIS MEMORIAL DAY VFP HONORS ALL THAT HAVE DIED

Let's remember: this holiday is not Armistice Day, or Armed Forces Day, or the birthday of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard or Merchant Marine....It's Memorial Day.

It is a day to mourn ALL who have died in war. A day to remember ALL the victims, the vast majority of whom are our brothers and sisters who, by an accident of birth, were born on the receiving end of the bombs and the occupations. Mourn them. If you march, carry a sign saying so.

Mourn our comrades. Mourn the dead and the wounded, the human beings who came back dehumanized because of what their government sent them to do.

But this day we mourn more than our own military dead. Yes, we are veterans, but we are also VETERANS FOR PEACE.

Abolish war and all the mourning it causes.

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Volunteers will begin the setup of Arlington West Memorial on Sunday morning, May 24th at 0600 hours. A candle-lit vigil will be placed at the foot of each cross beginning 2 hours before sunset on Sunday afternoon (weather permitting). Candles will be lit beginning at sunset. Arlington West Santa Monica will be maintained and availble to the public until 1700 hours on Monday, May 25th.

The setting up and taking down of the memorial is a monumental task! Volunteers are welcome to come and participate in this endeavor. To volunteer, simply come and introduce yourself. We'll be located on the north side of the pier at Santa Monica. Public parking on the pier or in the main lot at beach level generally costs $10 per day. There is a 2-hour parking lot available nearby for $1 per hour. The 2-hour limit is strictly enforced by parking enforcement officials.

We ask that volunteers read and understand the Arlington West Mission Statement and the Veterans For Peace Statement of Purpose. Call us if you would like information about getting to Santa Monica to volunteer with us:

TEL #:  818.716.7655
TEL #:  310-398-0056
TEL #:  310-339-1770

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Assistance is needed in preparing the beach for proper use of the memorial. Clearing debris in and around the perimeter and confines of the memorial, sweeping the boardwalk, proper positioning and alignment of the indivdual markers, installing the picture boards, setting up information table canopies, are all areas where we can use your help. Please be mindful that Veterans For Peace is a non-profit organization and as an organization we maintain a non-partisan and non-sectarian position. Arlington West is a project of Veterans For Peace, an organization that has chapters nationwide. Arlington West Santa Monica is maintained by the volunteers and members of the Los Angeles Chapter of Veterans For Peace.

As always, the Los Angeles Chapter of Veterans For Peace strives to maintain the memorial in all manners respectful of those we've lost and the loved ones they leave behind.

Come by our information table at any time during these special days for educational literature, books, and videos. The Arlington West Film, a powerful and moving documentary about this project, is a video that takes the experience of the memorial off the beach and into your home, church meeting, or classroom. Representing a typical day at Arlington West, the Arlington West Film includes a broad range of perspectives on war and peace.

Take down of the memorial will begin on Monday, May 25th at 1700 hours (5pm). Your assistance is welcome and greatly appreciated for this task as well.

Changing the World Begins With You

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