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# Family reminds neighbors of the consequences of war
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/family-reminds-neighbors-of-the-consequences-of-war/
- Published: 2004-09-28T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T05:13:59.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: local, Montana, #archive-import

*Poster serves as reminder*

*By Daily Press staff*

NORTH OF MONTANA AVE. — A poster of 1,000 photos hangs on a tree outside the Comay residence. The rows of images display like a yearbook, but the frozen smiles are those of the American service members who have died in Iraq since the war began.

The Comay family wanted to express their views on the consequences of war, and decided the best way to do that was by creating a poster with a defining message.

“We feel very strongly about the war in Iraq, that not only is it a terrible tragedy... but that people should be aware,” Helen Comay said. Many Americans, Iraqi police and civilians have been killed, and it continues to happen every day, she added.

“Just today, I heard there was another car bomb that killed two marines and seven or eight others,” she said.

Almost three weeks ago, when Comay was inspired by a New York Times spread of the photos, her husband, Eli, and daughter-in-law, Liz, began constructing the poster.

“A sign is much more emotional,” Comay explained. The sign has been up ever since, and she said she has received many positive responses from people who’ve seen it. “One lady once asked me where she could get one,” Comay added.

Although the family are John Kerry supporters, Comay said the main reason for the poster was the war.

“I hope that people who see it become aware of just how terrible the war is, I hope it brings (that message) home, in some way.”

As long as people notice the sign, and be aware of its message, the work will be worth it, she said.

“I feel as if all our efforts will pay off,” she said.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/092804-03_01.jpg)

to the Daily Press Helen Comay stands in front of her house, where a sign depicting the casualties of war and a small cross are displayed. (Photo: Susan Tam/Special)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 28, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/092804.pdf?ref=smdp.com)