Little Crosses: say nothing for peace

“Little Crosses” by S. Mondeau sung to the tune “Little Boxes” by Malvina Reynolds (from the HBO series “Weeds” featuring Mary Louise Parker)

Little Crosses in our front yards
Little crosses made of 1 x 4’s
Little crosses painted ghost white
And they just might end a war.

Simple, silent. Recognizable, undeniable. A white cross* in your yard**, like the ones at Arlington West or Camp Casey, would mean so much. Honor the sacrifice of the fallen troops, mourn the innocents lost, help end the suffering sooner. Let every friend, neighbor and passer-by know that you support peace.

UNCOIL (United Napans Concerned Over Iraq Lunacy) members have been inspired by Jeff Heaton of Lafayette, CA and other pioneering peacemakers. With 300 white wooden crosses and volunteers, Mr. Heaton made his friends’ front yard into an honor memorial for peace. It’s visible from Highway 24 just east of the Oakland hills.1

300 crosses is more burden than most can bear, but if each of us could display just one simple white cross in his yard, we could speak volumes without saying a word. We’re planning a to gather for cross-making at my house on 12/2.

You can get it started too, right in your own backyard. Here are tried and tested instructions to produce 5 crosses from 3 pieces of wood 1” x 4’ frugally and with ease. You can offer extra crosses to friends and neighbors who don’t have the talent or tools that you do.

Directions:

#1 piece is 36”+ 18” + 18” + 18”
#2 piece is 36” + 36” + 18”
#3 piece is exactly like #2

Cut a pointed end on the first 3' piece. Then use it as a master pattern to cut the others. It cost $2.00 for each 1 X 4. A paint roller cost $3.00. It took a quarter of a gallon of Z Prime to paint all twelve pieces at once. Z Prime dries in one hour, under optimum conditions. Be sure to get the lower $2 grade DF lumber or the cost will escalate. They make a stunning solitary display against the occupation. Be the first on your block to get one.

Show us yours! Send photos to UNCOIL2005@yahoo.com. We'll post them on the website as soon as our overworked webmaster has it up and running.

Update: The City of Lafayette has ordered the reduction or removal of the sign that accompanied the now 420 crosses. It said, “In Memory of 2867 U.S. Troops killed in Iraq” Apparently, some people found that offensive.2


Optional second part of “Little Crosses”:

And the people shown as crosses
All trusted their President
And they came home in wooden boxes
Covered by Our flag.

* Of course, you could use other religious icons like the Star of David, but they’re harder to make. If you have ideas, we’d love to hear them.

** Apt/Condo dwellers: If wood won’t work, maybe a window cross made of white tape would. Conveniently and appropriately available in your first aid kit.

1. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/11/13/BAGPNMBNA61.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea
2. http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=local&id=4779073 (including video newscast).