Peace Sign Of Shells Keeps On Growing In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, NJ — When it came time to take down the Christmas tree on the North Street beach, Sue McElwee felt sad. The tree McElwee’s family decorated on the beach became a landmark to her family and many other Ocean City residents.

On the morning of Jan. 5, the day after the tree came down, she and her four children collected four buckets of fresh shells and assembled a giant peace sign in the sand where the tree had stood.

McElwee’s family marked the shells with their names and wishes for the new year, and left behind a few markers in the sand for others to share a personal message.

Within two weeks since the original outline of shells was laid down, the peace sign has more than tripled in size, with messages from both residents and visitors, McElwee told Patch.

“It just seemed like perfect timing for something like that to be there,” McElwee said. “It's humongous. I got more shells and put more out, and every time I go, they’re all filled with stuff.”

At first one row of shells dotted the lines and curves of the peace sign. Now between three and five rows of shells shape the sprawling symbol.

The picture below was taken after the peace sign was first assembled:

McElwee said the peace sign now carries a strong, symbolic meaning since rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, one day after her family organized the shells.

Each time McElwee visits the beach to add more shells, she notices messages and names of people that had not been there before. Many people have signed their own names and also dedicate the shells to loved ones they have lost.

“It’s neat to go by because so many people will talk to you, tell you their story or what it means to them,” McElwee said.

She said her children have already brainstormed ways to keep the spirit going, such as making a heart of shells for Valentine’s Day or a shamrock for St. Patrick’s Day.

“I definitely considered doing the heart, but now it seems like the peace sign is more symbolic and necessary for the time we’re in,” McElwee said.

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