Someone Else's Son Was Once Three

My two days in Santa Barbara are sadly coming to a close. I strolled State Street, fantasized about winning the lottery and moving up here, and overall enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. Despite all the scenic beauty, I can't help but keep thinking about our accidental visit to "Arlington West" on Sunday.

I had no idea that folks put down a cross and a flag for every soldier that has been killed in Iraq. The veterans that run this set it up every Sunday morning and take it down every Sunday afternoon.

We stumbled upon the memorial during an afternoon stroll along the beach. There were plenty of photographers out, busily taking pictures of the entire scene. One young man, Brad McIntyre, shot this photo of my youngest son picking up the flags.

How lucky I am that my son's face isn't on one of these crosses.

Comments

Anonymous said…
This is a beautiful post, Liz and that photo is so touching and sad and hopeful all at the same time...
Wow. What a great memorial. Yet another reason to haul my butt to SB, some place I've regrettable never been.
He's beautiful, Liz. And the photo is a prize winner.

I am grateful every day that my son (and daughters) are not on crosses.

We need to make a world in which no mother's child goes to war again.
Anonymous said…
What a beautiful photo! By the way I added you to my page.
Kate said…
That is a very beautiful photograph and a touching memorial. I clicked the link and was surprised that I have never heard of it before.
I'm very touched by this entry, for a number of reasons I shall not explain.

And the picture is quite powerful.

I always appreciate your posts.
Liz Dwyer said…
I keep thinking about how initially my husband wanted to go check into the hotel but I wanted to go to the beach because there was only about an hour of daylight left and I knew I had to work all day Monday and Tuesday and wouldn't get another opportunity. If we'd gone to the hotel, we would have missed the entire memorial since they only do it on Sunday. Everything happens for a reason.

I spent some time with my other son, reading the crosses of some of the soldiers. (As a new reader, he wants to read everything nowadays.) He couldn't believe how many people had died and how they died. He was shocked.

The innocence of children makes it so clear how we harden our hearts to war, to suffering, to poverty. I really think if more people saw stuff like this, a whole lot would change.
Sundry said…
Thanks, Liz.

I think we need to go witness this for ourselves.
How sad.

How touching.

How beautiful.

A good reason to work for peace.

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