Posted on 03/09/2003 9:36:17 AM PST by UpStateNY
Life goes on in small town America...
BIG FLATS | Holding American flags and wearing pins, buttons and hats symbolizing national pride, hundreds rallied at the National Warplane Museum Saturday in support of troops overseas.
The event was organized to stem the anti-war movement and help boost the morale of local military personnel and their families, said Dennis Wolfe of the Elmira chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, which sponsored the event. More than 400 people attended the two-hour rally.
"How proud am I to be in this room," said Wolfe told the crowd. "Ask any veteran if we want war and the answer will be, 'Hell, no.' But if we must, we don't want our troops to get the same message that Vietnam vets got going over and coming back home. We can't let that happen."
The United States has been lobbying to gain United Nations support to go to war with Iraq to disarm the country of weap-ons of mass destruction and oust dictator Saddam Hussein.
Bill "Doc" Schmidtz, a Vietnam veteran, said people can disagree with going to war, but if the decision is made, the country must unite and support the troops.
"Nobody here has a problem with (anti-war) protesters and demonstrators," said Schmidtz, editor of the Veteran of Foreign Wars state newspaper. "But when they demonstrate, in one hand they should be holding their protest signs and the other should be holding the American flag."
Frederick Lounsbery, a Navy veteran, said this type of event lets soldiers know the nation is behind them and they are appreciated.
"I hope the troops see these types of things," Lounsbery said.
Veteran Dick Dalton, who has two sons in the military, said this is the type of event that should have been held during Vietnam.
"I want my sons to know the people are behind them," Dalton said.
"I am here because I support all of our armed forces. I support our country and our president," said Rose Anne Swarthout of Horseheads. "It's a great turnout, but I'm not surprised. I knew we all supported our country."
Wolfe asked those in attendance to urge local politicians to let the armed forces do their job if President George W. Bush decides to go to war.
"Call, write and e-mail local political leaders," Wolfe said. "Say, hands off the military. Let them do what they do best. Run it to win."
Wolfe said pictures taken at the event will be sent to military outposts overseas, so soldiers know they are supported back home.
"I think it's a good message to send," said Kevin Backer, an Army reservist who was recently activated. "We have received the order that we are going on active duty. Our orders could be in the Persian Gulf or they could be stateside. Either way, an event like this is great to see."
Common Time Choral Group and Horseheads Middle School students performed patriotic songs.
Wolfe said similar events may be held in the coming months whether the nation is at war or not.
There were pro-USA rallies in Manchester(CT), Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Ventura, DC, Omaha, Brea (CA), La Palma (CA), Santa Clarita (CA), L.A., Brunswick (ME), Milledgeville (GA), Tacoma, Corning (NY) - and counting - this weekend!
Great idea to send pic of the rally to the troops the rally's supporting...got any to post here as well?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.