What makes a war memorial? Marines upset over removal of beer cans around Camp Pendleton’s Horno crosses
By: Shawn Snow  
A June decision by Marine officials to clean up unopened beer cans around crosses honoring fallen Marines has set off debate about what is a war memento or a memorial.
The crosses — which adorn a hilltop overlooking Camp Pendlton, California, in the Horno area — serve as a sanctum for Marines honoring their fallen brothers and sisters. The first cross was set up by a small group of Marines with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, in 2003.
Some Marines argue that what was cleaned up — full cans and bottles alcohol — were not trash but mementos left for fallen Marines over the years.
https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2019/07/05/what-makes-a-war-memorial-marines-upset-over-removal-of-beer-cans-around-camp-pendletons-horno-crosses/