Civilians die in action—as surely and as finally as any soldier. They also die from the consequences of war: shattered infrastructures, poisoned water and land, abandoned ordinance. Civilians deserve to be remembered. By honoring slain civilians alongside our war dead, we understand and acknowledge the full gravity of war and the full extent of its cost. With that acknowledgment comes an ever deeper reverence for those –in or out of uniform – who paid the cost with life itself. Soldier and civilian die together.  Here, together, may we remember them.

Simple acts bring healing. The placing of this small stone in a quiet space within the Arlington cemetery may open up a space within the heart. Those who visit will be moved by what they see: the sea of headstones, the stately somber buildings, the eternal flame, this simple memorial. And when they leave, the memory of this place will help them to renew their commitment to that end desired by soldiers and pacifists alike: freedom, justice and peace.

In the silence of history, the dead speak. And in this stone, they find a voice previously denied them in this first century of world wars.

In repose, they tell of careless and willful acts, in which innocent people suffered and died needlessly. In memory, they reclaim their right to speak, even as we build more terrible weapons of war.

As we listen, the victims offer us an opportunity for reflection and transformation. Acknowledging what has transpired, we may yet imagine alternatives for a better century, and weave an intricate web of lovingkindness.

In the words of Stanley Kunitz,
"To whom can one pledge one's allegiance except to the victims?" That is, to those who speak in silence, on behalf of our children and of ourselves."

L. Randa, M. True, J. Lord