"Looking back in time I cant help but to see our ancestors look down on us and say shame on you," said Zaid Mahir, an Iraqi citizen.

It was a peaceful gathering with a strong message as a coalition of local groups organized what it called a fellowship of reconciliation. People at the event expressed respect and sorrow for those who lost their lives and anger about the continuing war.

Last Wednesday marked the five year anniversary of the U.S. War in Iraq.

"My country for five years now has been subjected to all kinds of destabilizing, dehumanizing policies," Mahir said.

Over the weekend four more U.S. soldiers died in battle bringing the total death toll of U.S. Soldiers in Iraq to 4,000.

"Even the first one, first hundred, any loss, especially for such a senseless thing, its uncalled for," said Tim Cullen, a Columbia citizen. 

Members of the peace coalitions did however call for a moment of silence for the lost. The silence was not just to remember U.S. Soldiers.

"We have to honor all of those killed in Iraq," said Stacy Hafley from Military Families Speak Out."

And when the silence ends, it's the voice of peace speaking loud and clear.

"In spite of the gloomy picture, people have not given up hope. In spite the fact that were losing precious human beings on both sides, on all sides that's calling for peace, and the harder it gets, the louder the voice," said Mahir. 

"That's part of what civilization is about, some kind of sympathy for people and other living things," said Cullen.

That sympathy must last for a lifetime.

"Unfortunately when our loved ones come home from war, it doesn't end for us there, I mean there's an initial joy in a homecoming, but then we deal with all the aftermath of the war," said Stacy Hafley from Military Families Speak Out. "The post-traumatic stress, the depression, the suicide

U.S. Officials Routinely report the number of U.S. Soldiers who have died. Some people at Monday's event said they're upset that the Iraqi death toll is harder to find. As of now, it's estimated to be up to hundreds of thousands.