A group of military families began a cross-country journey in San Francisco Thursday to show their support of the troops in Iraq.

The group called "Move America Forward" is sponsoring the caravan.

It kicked off Thursday morning and held the first of dozens of rallies in Lafayette.

Organizers said they wanted to protest an unofficial memorial for service people killed in the war that sits on a Lafayette hillside.

Two peace groups have planted thousands of crosses across the street from the Bay Area Rapid Transit Station.

One man who is took part in the event said his son was killed in the Anbar province of Iraq.

"He was a United States Marine and it's not right to use the deaths of our soldiers. They call it they're honoring them. It's not an honor. It's a disrespectful thing," said Scott Conover of the display.

Members of the Lamorinda peace group held a counter rally in Lafayette.

"We want our troops to come home and we want to support our troops and we think the best way to support our troops is to bring them home," said Joe Trickvic.

The caravanning group said it plans to hold 25 rallies across the country before arriving in Washington, D.C., March 17.