WEST MILFORD Monday marked the fourth anniversary of the United States going to war in Iraq. By Wednesday of this week, the Department of Defense had confirmed a total of 3,225 American casualties since the start of the war. One of them was native son Brian P. Parrello, a lance corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, who was slain just a week short of his 20th birthday in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, on Jan. 1, 2005. Among other local residents currently serving in the military is Jeremiah Drzod, a 2003 West Milford High School graduate, who is in the 173rd Airborne in Afghanistan. His father, Bob, was part of the Highlands Peace Action candlelight vigil on Monday. Drzod, who has lived in West Milford for 23 years, said he was never involved in any kind of activism until recently. But his opposition to the war and objection to the way things are being handled has caused him to join forces with like-minded people. He said Jeremiah signed up with the military mostly for the promise of a college education. His four years will be up in July, but he has already been informed that he will be “stoplasted,” a term that means the army will not let him go. “In the fine print of the military contract that part that no one ever reads it says that they (the military) can, in times of war, keep you for eight years,” said Drzod. “The policy is a back-door draft.” Like others against the war, Drzod is angry that America got involved in the first place and said,“The concept of bringing democracy into Iraq, because of their culture, is a foolish notion.” The group has been holding peace vigils once a month in front of West Milford Town Hall to express their opposition to American involvement since the beginning of the war. This month, it coincided with the anniversary. A couple of dozen people showed up, most carrying signs saying the troops should be brought home. Many of the folks driving past the vigil honked and waved to show their support, but others expressed disgust with the protesters. William Bender showed up at the vigil to voice his opposition to the protest. “All we need to do is to give the terrorists more ammunition,” he said. Another local resident who preferred not to be identified wrote to the Messenger: “I support our country’s efforts in Iraq and I respect the people’s right to protest even though I disagree with them. The protesters ... displayed an American flag with the peace symbol on it instead of the stars, which is disrespectful of our troops and our country.” Vigil organizer Renee Allessio argues vehemently for the troops. “We have not been sending them with the right equipment, and many have been coming home with horrific, catastrophic injuries. And we all know about the conditions in Walter Reed.” She questioned what kind of support the troops are getting if no one is making a sacrifice except the soldiers and their families. “There’s no rationing, there’s no interruption of our lives, there’s no sacrifice at all on our part.”