A couple hundred people turned out at Evergreen Rotary Park in Bremerton last weekend to form a human peace sign.

A similar event took place  in March 2003 as the Iraq War got underway. About 500 people gathered for that event, dubbed “Kitsap Wants Peace.” While it was a slightly smaller crowd this year  for “Kitsap Still Wants Peace,” there was plenty of sunshine and smiles.

Bremerton resident Wendy McNeal had a poster from the original photo session and wondered if anyone would be interested in recreating the photo for the 10-year anniversary. She posted the idea on Facebook in January and garnered enough “Likes” to proceed.

Silverdale resident Sue Ablao, who is involved with the Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action, brought a cardboard cutout of a dove to Saturday’s event. She said she was also on-hand for the first human peace sign event ten years ago.

When asked whether or not she thought then that the United States would still be involved in Iraq and Afghanistan, Ablao replied, “My heart hoped not, but my brain said given our history we would still be involved somewhere if not still in the Middle East.”

Gary Nicholson said he has lived in Kitsap County for more than 30 years and is a painter, poet and novelist. On Saturday he was sporting a large silver peace symbol hanging from his left ear.

“Somebody just gave me that,” he said.

Nicholson said he wasn’t able to make the event 10 years ago, but was pleased to be there on Saturday.

“When I heard about it, I had to be here,” he said. “I was working in Seattle last time and couldn’t make it. I couldn’t miss it this time.”

Bremerton resident Lisa Morgan said that her daughter helped organize the event. Morgan sported a homemade peace sign while her granddaughter, Kyra Potter, 5, waved an American flag.

“I just wanted to show my solidarity for peace,” Morgan said.