Arlington Northwest

Marine Park on Commencement Bay

With the end of summer looming, Labor Day weekend on the waterfront of Tacoma attracts droves of walkers, joggers, and street traffic to the promenades of Ruston Way, with its eateries, fishing piers, and street art lining Commencement Bay. And for the sixth consecutive year Veterans For Peace members and supporters came as well, arriving before the sun could break with an attraction of their own. As filtered daylight spread over the Sound, Arlington NW had established its austere though vivid foothold.

Once again Veterans For Peace honored the U.S. Iraq War dead by setting up markers on the grounds of Marine Park for 2,200 of the total number of Americans killed in action during our Occupation of that country over 7 years ago. Sadly, the tiny esplanade reached capacity for the travelling memorial in 2006, with over five acres now needed to contain the entire 4,416, but the message is clear and remains as visually potent as it was then – we will not let you forget them.

As the sun continued its climb, few onlookers could pass without being struck by the size and impact of the commemoration, many thanking the dozen or so VFP Chapter members for their efforts in keeping the deaths of the servicemen and women in that conflict in full view.

VFP-134's Dave Dittemore

It’s so easy to forget the fallen in a war that should have never been fought, but we who know war best won't let that happen.