VALLEY, NATION JOIN TEXAS VIGIL HUNDREDS GATHER IN WARNER CENTER IN SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR MOTHER OF SOLDIER.

Byline: Susan Abram Staff Writer

WOODLAND HILLS - Hundreds of San Fernando Valley residents used candlelight and silence as their voice Wednesday night, as part of a nationwide solidarity movement spurred by one mother's anti-war demonstration near President George W. Bush's Texas ranch.

At Warner Center Park, an estimated 300 residents stood in a wide circle near Topanga Canyon Boulevard, letting the flames from their candles glow well past the twilight hour.

Several displayed signs taped to their backs that read ``Stop the War'' and ``Before one more mother's child is lost'' to express their opposition to the Iraq war.

Many said they admired Cindy Sheehan, whose ``peace camp'' outside of Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, re-energized the anti-war sentiment.

West Hills residents Jane and Jim Bright, parents of fallen Army Sgt. Evan Ashcroft, said their son's memory would not be lost in the anti-war movement. They attended the vigil in support of Sheehan's efforts, saying like their son, her son Casey was a hero who died for what he believed in. And like Sheehan, they too, want answers.

``I think as this war goes on and more Americans are getting killed, there are more people paying attention,'' Jim Bright said. ``People are looking inside themselves and saying, is this war worth it?''

Vietnam veterans Wayne Hellner, 58, and Barry Lampke, 69, agreed that Sheehan's display will help emphasize the difference between opposition to the war and support for the troops.

``I think she has a constitutional right to be there,'' Lampke said. ``The president is ignoring this lady. He should come and talk to her.''

``I don't understand why it's taken so long for all of this,'' said Hellner, who served in Vietnam in 1967. ``I was all for invading Afghanistan, but I never believed there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.''

Americans coast to coast attended about 2,000 similar vigils organized by MoveOn.Org, True Majority and Democracy for America. About 50 were held in Los Angeles. Hundreds also gathered in events hosted in Studio City and Van Nuys.

Both Kathy Landers and Virginia Classick, who co-organized the Woodland Hills version, said Sheehan's campaign for the United States to withdraw the troops from Iraq was what the anti-war movement needed.

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Photo:

(1) Linda Ramis, left, joins Jane and Jim Bright - whose son, an Army sergeant, was killed in Iraq - at a ceremony Wednesday in Warner Center Park in support of Cindy Sheehan's vigil outside President Bush's Texas ranch.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer

(2 -- 3) Walker Karraa, left, shows her support for Cindy Sheehan's efforts during a vigil at the corner of Van Nuys and Ventura boulevards. Above, Iraq veterans Aaron Vogel, left, and Tim Goodrich stand with protesters at Warner Center. About 2,000 such vigils were held across the country Wednesday.

David Sprague/Staff Photographer

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer