"Five years" was scrawled across her face.
Liza Behrendt displayed her war opposition with face paint as she led her fellow students on a march across the Brandeis University campus yesterday.
"Brandeis has a history of social activism. We felt that if we didn't hold something on campus we'd be neglecting that legacy," she said. "We really want people to think about the human impact of this war."
Protests, peace vigils and quiet reflections united residents as the country marked the day Operation Iraqi Freedom began in 2003.
"Five years too many" was written in marker on a pink poster board where Jennifer Rose began her day.
Rose, a member of Waltham Concerned Citizens, attended a silent vigil at the corner of Moody and Main streets.
"We thought it was important to be a part of a national message. ... We would like the war to end right away ... the way the money is being spent there, it's not helping anybody," she said. "We'd like to see that money spent on many more important kinds of things."
Rose, a founding member, said her group has been protesting different wars through vigils in Waltham for 27 years.
Normally the group, which has no formal membership, holds vigils on the first and third Saturdays of the month in the same location.
"The feedback we got from passersby was extremely, extremely positive," she said.
Rose said the country could retrofit 1.2 million homes across America with renewable energy with the amount of money that is being spent every day to fund the Iraq war.
"It's shocking. ... It is hard to believe it's gone on this long and drained so many resources," she said.
Five years does not feel like a long time to one Waltham soldier.
"I'm just amazed that the years are traveling by so quickly. You remember it just like yesterday when everything all started," said Staff Sgt. Steven Farrell, on leave after returning last year from his first tour of duty in Iraq. "I think it would be a shame to just pull out and have all the soldiers that died over there die for no reason."
Farrell said he has a minimum two-year break, with the possibility of being deployed again in 2010.
"I re-enlisted when I was over there, and I'm not going to get out for another two years. Then I plan to re-enlist again," he said.
A member of the Massachusetts National Guard, 1st Battalion 101st Field Artillery, Farrell, 31, was awarded the Bronze Star for service while protecting a U.N. diplomat during his tour.
Farrell said he would like to see democracy take root in Iraq and the country stabilized.
"I think we should stay there and complete the job," he said. "I'd like to see ... the Iraqis not worry about being killed for having an opinion for themselves."
In the five years of war, Waltham firefighter John Babstock has been deployed three times.
His wife, Cindy Babstock, said yesterday her husband should return from Iraq this summer.
"I can't believe it's been five years. ... It's obviously a different standpoint from my side because my husband is one of those people over there fighting," she said.
The 42-year-old Navy senior chief is deployed with the Inshore Boat Unit 22 based out of New London, Conn. His absence leaves his wife to take care of their three young daughters, a 23-month-old girl, a 4-year-old girl and a daughter who will soon be 8.
"I think it's very difficult for us as a family over the past five years." she said. "With that said, I'm very proud of the men and women over there and I 100 percent support them in everything they do. I feel like our efforts over there have helped. ... Hopefully in five years we'll just be talking about this in the past."
Jeff Gilbride can be reached at 781-398-8005 or jgilbriud@cnc.com.
