LANGLEY — Anti-war protesters held a candlelight vigil in Langley Monday night to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq War.

Four years ago this week, the United States invaded Iraq. To date 3,221 U.S. servicemen and women have died in Iraq, and 373 have died in Afghanistan, according to the Department of Defense. To mark the date South Whidbey residents gathered in Langley Park in respectful remembrance of those who have fallen in the fight. Roughly 25 people gathered in a tight circle underneath the shelter holding lit candles and flowers.

The vigil followed a larger protest Saturday in Bayview that attracted roughly 100 protesters for peace, including dozens of Women in Black. The protests coincided with demonstrations across Washington and the country where hundreds of thousands marched and spoke out against the war.

In Langley, the group honored American soldiers who were wounded or killed in Iraq through a reading of personal accounts written by family members of those who have died.

The tearful readings were followed by a single toll of a bell and a moment of silence.

“At this sad moment, people across the country are reflecting on the war in Iraq. For the first time Congress is considering a real deadline to bring our troops home safely from Iraq,” said Katey Ginn, organizer of the event.

“This important step gives the troops, military families, and concerned citizens around the country real hope for a change in course,” she said.

Some South Enders feel an apology for the war is the right course.

Initiated by the Whidbey Island Peace and Reconciliation Network, almost 100 South Enders stepped up Saturday at the Bayview protest to sign a petition that apologizes for actions taken by the United States since the war in Iraq began four years ago.

“I just disagree with this war,” said network organizer Linda Lindsay. “I don’t think we should be over there and I’m not sure war is ever the right way to resolve conflict.”

While Lindsay concedes that some wars may be unavoidable — her father-in-law was in the second wave onto the beaches of Iwo Jima in 1944 — she believes it is this generation’s responsibility to teach young people how to deal with conflict peacefully.

Organizer Tom Ewell said the war began based on false intelligence and without the support of the United Nations. Troops sent to fight have not been provided with adequate training, he said, or offered adequate medical treatment upon their return.

And there is a lot more to apologize for:

“We take responsibility to urge strong, ongoing financial, medical, emotional, spiritual and social support for all who have served and their families,” Ewell said.

Extensive harm has also been done to Iraq and its people, he said.

“Tens of thousands of Iraqi citizens have been killed, wounded or dispossessed as result of our actions there and the resultant sectarian violence,” Ewell added.

Protesters also noted the cost of the war: $456 billion. Washington’s share exceeds $10 billion, and Island County $125,000,000, the said.

According to the network’s calculations, children today will begin with a debt of $35,000 when they turn 21.

The network plans to publish their apology — including signatures gained to date — in local newspaper ads as “a public statement of regret.”

For more information, contact Tom Ewell at 341-1457 or Linda Lindsay at 331-5417.