Gainesville residents strolled down a mile-long stretch of tombstones labeled with the names of fallen soldiers on Monday, taking in the Memorial Day display at Westside Park.
A line of colorful banners labeled with the names of fallen soldiers fluttered in the wind and along Northwest Eighth Avenue.
"People want to ignore the war," said Scott Camil, member of Veterans For Peace, "but this location won't let them."
This is the third year the Gainesville Chapter of Veterans For Peace has put out the display.
The tombstones were placed to show honor and appreciation to American soldiers.
Joyce Thompson and her friend, Rebecca Aldridge, felt overwhelmed by the number of tombstones.
"There are too many," Thompson said, "but I am glad I came out here to see it."
There are more than 4,900 names on display, but the last four tombstones remain nameless.
"Those are for soldiers who were recently killed," Camil said, "and we are withholding their names until the families are notified."
For Thompson, Memorial Day is about remembering.
"As long as people remember," Thompson said, "that is the important part."
