The human costs of war.

Memorials, and sorrow, overtake Wood hillside

By Rick Steelhammer
Staff writer

PARKERSBURG — On a grassy hillside along U.S. 50 about 10 miles east of Parkersburg, 40 rows of symmetrically aligned white wooden crosses descend the slope in an eye-catching display.
A short distance uphill from the crosses, a huge American flag flies at half-staff. Just below it, a large sign bears the words “Cost of War” and lists the number of American military personnel killed thus far in the war in Iraq.
“It’s gone from 3,909 to 3,929 in a week,” said John Rost, who owns the property on which the Cost of War Memorial is located. “It’s hard to believe we’re wasting young lives at that rate.”[/size]

“Picture a person standing next to each of those crosses, and you understand ..........................................

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