Diplomats, politicians and - oh, no - press (Baltimore Sun)

[GreatAmerican]

<p>Historic Memorial Hall will be site of events at conference</p>

<p>[Totem</a> of war, backdrop for peace – baltimoresun.com](<a href=“http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/world/bal-te.ar.academy27nov27,0,5132667.story?coll=bal_tab01_layout]Totem”>http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/world/bal-te.ar.academy27nov27,0,5132667.story?coll=bal_tab01_layout)</p>

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As diplomats and world leaders gather at the U.S. Naval Academy today in hopes of laying the groundwork for a new Middle East peace agreement, they will be surrounded by reminders of the terrible cost of war.</p>

<p>Memorial Hall, where President Bush will kick off the conference this morning and the bulk of the official events will be held, is filled with tablets that carry the names of 2,623 fallen graduates, killed in conflicts dating to the Civil War.</p>

<p>Great battles and acts of heroism are shown in paintings and displays, such as a model explaining how a Marine officer nearly died after blowing up a bridge controlled by the North Vietnamese in 1972 and a giant flag bearing the words of a dying commander who urged his sailors in 1813: “Don’t give up the ship!”…

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