Vigil for peace March 18

FALLBROOK — A candlelight vigil for peace at sunset to mark the beginning of the fifth year of the war in Iraq will be held in Fallbrook Sunday, March 18, at the Village Square on Main Avenue. The war began on March 19, 2003.

The vigil will be a respectful ceremony to honor the war dead and to acknowledge the enormous price paid by the thousands of war-wounded troops and their families. Those who have a family member or loved one who has suffered in the war are invited to offer their own personal statement at the ceremony. Pastor Phil Tukua from Christ The King Lutheran Church will address the gathering and Father Bernard Rapp from St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church will lead the group in a closing prayer, followed by the sounding of chimes 32 times to mark the death of 3,200 American troops killed in action.

Attendees are asked to bring a candle and cup holder with them. The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. at the corner of Alvarado and Main and will last approximately 40 minutes. Hundreds of similar vigils will be held across the country.