Grim Milestone Is A Stark Reminder Of Human Cost Of War

Dozens of people gathered to mark a tragic milestone in American history.

The American Friends Service Committee sponsored a vigil Tuesday night in Oakland to mark the death of the 1,000th U.S. service member in Afghanistan.

Organizers hope the ceremony reminds Americans of the service people who make the ultimate sacrifice.

Scilla Wahrhaftig is with the American Friends Service Committee. She said, “It just becomes old hat and they just go on with their lives. And there's got to be a way to try and get people to recognize what's happening over there and the pain of each family.”

Also on display was “The Eyes Wide Open” exhibit.

It uses empty military boots to represent each of the soldiers from Western Pennsylvania killed in Iraq and Afghanistan and shoes to represent civilian casualties.