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# Columnist strikes a chord
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/columnist-strikes-a-chord-editor/
- Published: 2007-03-15T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T00:14:42.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Pier, #archive-import

*By Cheryl Barnett Santa Monica*

I am a volunteer for Veterans for Peace (the organization that sets up the memorial every Sunday next to the Santa Monica Pier). The article David Pisarra wrote for the March 13 issue (“A picture tells the story of a life lost,” page 4) hit home for so many of us.

We have a task at hand down there every Sunday and it is very difficult not to become overwhelmed by the reality of all the deaths. It takes a small army of members and volunteers to put up this memorial every week. Some of the momentos left by family members or friends include pictures of the deceased soldiers. These are carefully placed each Sunday in front of an appropriate religious symbol. At times, there are moments when we all say, “we never met, but I cried for you today.”

Thanks again to David Pisarra. A picture truly tells the story of a life lost.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 15, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/031507.pdf?ref=smdp.com)