People of different faiths gathered in Larchmont Sunday on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the Iraq war invasion to honor thousands of fallen service members.

Members of the Interfaith Council organized the ceremony at St. John's Episcopal Church. Participants say it's their way of paying tribute to more than 3,200 American men and women who have given their lives. They say they want to ensure no lives were lost in vain. The soldiers' names were placed on white posters on the walls.

The solemn service was marred by the death of seven soldiers and Marines who were killed over the weekend. The violence comes even as U.S. troops are in Iraq to try and quell fighting.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said on Sunday the troop surge is meant to buy time for political reconciliation among Iraqis.