On Sunday, March 19, 2006, the third anniversary of the start of war in Iraq, the congregation and friends of Marble Church hung thousands of ribbons on the iron fence that surrounds the church as a physical representation of prayers and a plea for peace.

Gold ribbons, displaying names, ranks, and ages of the thousands of American service people who have lost their lives, represent prayers for the surviving families and friends. Each Sunday morning during worship, the names of service people who have died in the war in Iraq are read aloud. At the conclusion of the service, their names are attached to ribbons and affixed to the fence with the others.

Blue ribbons represent prayers for the families and friends of the tens of thousands of Iraqis who have lost their lives, and for all who have been wounded. The toll of human pain and suffering is impossible to measure.

Green ribbons represent prayers for peace in the Middle East.

Since its installation, thousands of people walking past Fifth Avenue and 29th Street have been impacted by this image and have stopped to read posted information about the ribbons and review the names that are attached.

Marble Church congregants and friends continue to pray daily for the wounded and the day that war is no longer an option.

Also on March 19, a prayer vigil was held for the victims of this war, for the leaders involved, and for peace. During the vigil, more than 2,300 origami paper cranes, created by volunteers, were hung above the chancel in the sanctuary, each representing an American service person killed in Iraq.