Clark students remember dead with 2000 crosses : IMC Worcester

The installation was sponsored by Clark Peaceworks.

For the latest casualty figures, see Iraq Coalition Casualties.

Two members of Clark Peaceworks report the following:

The display certainly motivated reflection and discussion about the war. Passersby moving through campus and walking along Main St. stopped to look, think, talk, read the signs, and take pictures on cell phones. I heard college students gasp “Gosh! I didn’t know we’d lost so many Americans,” and “I knew that more than 2,000 have died, but I didn’t realize how many 2,000 really is”. Kids asked lots of questions: “Dad, what’s that?” and, the toughest of all “Why?” People knelt by the crosses and tiptoed amongst them to straighten leaning ones.

On the grounds of a diverse school like Clark, it is natural that the question “Why use crosses to represent the soldiers?” was regularly asked. The use of crosses as a respectful symbol to recognize the dead was inspired by the Arlington National Cemetery in DC. We recognize and respect that the men and women who have died in Iraq are of many belief systems and faiths. We commemorate their lives, mourn their deaths, and wish that no more people, American or Iraqi, soldier or civilian, are harmed in this occupation that has outlived its time. We promote a rapid and peaceful solution to the conflict in Iraq, and an end to the need for displays like this. We promote peace. On the whole, I think our message was loud and clear.

The display certainly motivated reflection and discussion about the war. Passersby moving through campus and walking along Main St. stopped to look, think, talk, read the signs, and take pictures on cell phones. I heard college students gasp “Gosh! I didn’t know we’d lost so many Americans,” and “I knew that more than 2,000 have died, but I didn’t realize how many 2,000 really is”. Kids asked lots of questions: “Dad, what’s that?” and, the toughest of all “Why?” People knelt by the crosses and tiptoed amongst them to straighten leaning ones.

On the grounds of a diverse school like Clark, it is natural that the question “Why use crosses to represent the soldiers?” was regularly asked. The use of crosses as a respectful symbol to recognize the dead was inspired by the Arlington National Cemetery in DC. We recognize and respect that the men and women who have died in Iraq are of many belief systems and faiths. We commemorate their lives, mourn their deaths, and wish that no more people, American or Iraqi, soldier or civilian, are harmed in this occupation that has outlived its time. We promote a rapid and peaceful solution to the conflict in Iraq, and an end to the need for displays like this. We promote peace.

- Two members of Clark Peaceworks co-wrote this comment.

The display certainly motivated reflection and discussion about the war. Passersby moving through campus and walking along Main St. stopped to look, think, talk, read the signs, and take pictures on cell phones. I heard college students gasp “Gosh! I didn’t know we’d lost so many Americans,” and “I knew that more than 2,000 have died, but I didn’t realize how many 2,000 really is”. Kids asked lots of questions: “Dad, what’s that?” and, the toughest of all “Why?” People knelt by the crosses and tiptoed amongst them to straighten leaning ones.

On the grounds of a diverse school like Clark, it is natural that the question “Why use crosses to represent the soldiers?” was regularly asked. The use of crosses as a respectful symbol to recognize the dead was inspired by the Arlington National Cemetery in DC. We recognize and respect that the men and women who have died in Iraq are of many belief systems and faiths. We commemorate their lives, mourn their deaths, and wish that no more people, American or Iraqi, soldier or civilian, are harmed in this occupation that has outlived its time. We promote a rapid and peaceful solution to the conflict in Iraq, and an end to the need for displays like this. We promote peace.

(THis comment was co-writen by two members of Clark Peaceworks)

Response to 2,082 crosses

The display certainly motivated reflection and discussion about the war. Passersby moving through campus and walking along Main St. stopped to look, think, talk, read the signs, and take pictures on cell phones. I heard college students gasp “Gosh! I didn’t know we’d lost so many Americans,” and “I knew that more than 2,000 have died, but I didn’t realize how many 2,000 really is”. Kids asked lots of questions: “Dad, what’s that?” and, the toughest of all “Why?” People knelt by the crosses and tiptoed amongst them to straighten leaning ones.

On the grounds of a diverse school like Clark, it is natural that the question “Why use crosses to represent the soldiers?” was regularly asked. The use of crosses as a respectful symbol to recognize the dead was inspired by the Arlington National Cemetery in DC. We recognize and respect that the men and women who have died in Iraq are of many belief systems and faiths. We commemorate their lives, mourn their deaths, and wish that no more people, American or Iraqi, soldier or civilian, are harmed in this occupation that has outlived its time. We promote a rapid and peaceful solution to the conflict in Iraq, and an end to the need for displays like this. We promote peace. On the whole, I think our message was loud and clear.

- This comment was co-written by two members of Clark Peaceworks.