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# Beach memorial puts face on war
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/beach-memorial-puts-face-on-war-editor/
- Published: 2007-06-09T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T01:01:21.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Patricia Hoffman Santa Monica*

I didn’t read Bill Bauer’s column (“Arlington West exploits the dead,” May 28), but I did read Kitty Joyner’s letter (“Come down to Arlington West, Bill,” June 4). I would like to extend her invitation to all of those who haven’t been to Arlington West.

I volunteered there only once, but it was a truly moving experience. More than half of the people who came to visit that day were in the military or were friends and family members of those who were.

A former Marine bugler played “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Taps” as the sun was setting. People who had lost a son, daughter, brother, sister, wife, husband, mother, father or friend placed flowers or trinkets at the markers.

The most poignant moment was when a little boy, probably not yet 3, who was riding on the shoulders of a clean-cut adult male, said: “Show me where’s my daddy.” The adult pointed to a picture and the boy leaned forward and kissed his daddy’s picture.

Please come see Arlington West and put a human face on the toll of this horrid war.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 9, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/060907.pdf?ref=smdp.com)