BREMERTON — Many in a small crowd that gathered at a waterfront park in this Navy town yesterday wore red, white and blue and carried signs proclaiming "United We Stand" and "Peace Through Strength." They assembled to show their support for President Bush, for the troops and, if necessary, for military action against Iraq.
While those at the rally stopped short of saying they wanted war, they made it clear that if diplomatic efforts fail to gain concessions from Saddam Hussein, they will readily support any action Bush proposes.
"Saddam Hussein is a street thug and there's no question where he intends to go," said Shirley Brown, chairwoman of the Kitsap County Republican Party.
The rally, which drew about 50 people — many of them veterans or local Republican political campaign workers — was sponsored by several Kitsap County veterans groups.
It was scheduled in part to counter the many anti-war rallies that have been staged locally and nationally as tension between the United States and Iraq escalates.
Republican congressional candidate Joe Marine, who is running against Democratic incumbent Jay Inslee, was the featured speaker.
"There are many people in this country who support what the President is doing and we just wanted to let people see that," said one participant.
Joan Gorner, a former history teacher from Poulsbo, said she was there because her knowledge of the past made it impossible for her to take freedom for granted.
"When you study history you know how valuable it is," she said. "And I'm not going to be part of the generation that loses it — not if I can help it."
"There are many people in this country who support what the president is doing, and we just wanted to let people see that," said another participant.
Sisters Kimberly and Rebecca Craswell, 17 and 15, said they spent part of their week passing out fliers for a rally at Olympic College in Bremerton, where they are students.
They said many of their fellow students are against war.
"I don't think they really understand that this is how to give peace a chance," said Kimberly Craswell, the granddaughter of conservative Christian Ellen Craswell, who ran against Gary Locke for governor in 1996.
"We think that President Bush has been very wise in his leadership of this country, and we support him."
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