(09/16/06) SUMMIT - Anti-war protesters in Summit read the names Saturday of the approximately 2,600 American soldiers, 45 of whom from New Jersey, who died in Iraq.

Summit resident John Fenton mourns the loss of his son, U.S. Marine Sergeant Matthew Fenton. After nearly six years of service, Sgt. Fenton was deployed to Iraq. Barely six weeks later, on May 5, he suffered a severe head injury. On May 14, just nine days later, John Fenton's son was dead. The elder Fenton blames President George W. Bush for his son's death, demanding that the troops return home.

Across the street a counter-rally offered support to the troops, encouraging the country to stay the present course. Julie Symacks's son Corporal Matthew Symacks is on his second tour of duty. She says her son has been both shot and stabbed while fighting in Iraq. Symack expressed great pride in her son's role in providing freedom of speech and expression to the Iraqi people, saying that the troops should not come home until the war is really over.

Along with the reading of the names of fallen soldiers, Fenton and the anti-war protesters acknowledged the tens of thousands of Iraqis who died throughout the conflict.