Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Kevin Simpson of Auburn protests the war in Iraq during a silent vigil at the Androscoggin County Courthouse in Auburn on Thursday. “We are asking people to be aware of the costs on all sides,” said Christine Holden of Lewiston. Holden said more than 4,000 Americans have been killed since the war began on March 19, 2003. Simpson joined a group of peace and social activists who are encouraged by President Barack Obama’s pledge to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of 2011. “We would like it to be sooner,” said Simpson’s wife, Judy.