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.