Peace memorial arrives in Raleigh ahead of Veterans Day
Days before the annual commemoration of military service, and on the same day that President Barack Obama announced a a broad expansion of the U.S. military mission in Iraq, veterans of two recent wars gathered in downtown Raleigh to advance the cause of peace.
Posted — UpdatedUsing pulleys, members of the Triangle NC chapter of Veterans for Peace slowly pulled the Swords to Plowshares Bell Tower into an upright position, a symbolic gesture of increasing hope for peace.
The movable monument is a tribute to veterans around the world, and it will spend four days in Raleigh on the grounds of the State Capitol.
Matt Hoh, an Iraq War veteran, was saddened to hear that more soldiers will be sent to that country, this time to combat Islamic State militants
"The whole thing is a tragedy," he said.
"I only served 10 years, but guys I know who served 20, 30 years – they spent half their careers in the Middle East, and nothing has come of it. I think that's where a lot of our frustration is."
The Swords to Plowshares Bell Tower was designed by North Carolinians and made, in part, from recycled aluminum cans.
Visitors are encouraged to inscribe memories of war victims on the cans.
• Credits
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
