Washi
Posted on 03/10/2003 8:17:33 PM PST by Washi
Demonstrators show gratitude to troops
By RAQUEL RUTLEDGE - THE GAZETTE
Carrying signs that read "USA" and "We love our troops," hundreds of people marched Sunday morning through downtown Colorado Springs to show their support for military members going overseas.
Jennifer Coffey, whose husband is stationed at Schriever Air Force Base, organized the rally, which included plenty of flag waving.
Coffey said the event wasn't about politics or whether the United States should go to war with Iraq, but about supporting the men and women who defend our country.
"Obviously, we don't want to see our soldiers go," Coffey said. "We have a lot to lose."
More than 11,000 Springs area troops have received orders to deploy.
"We can't walk with them over there so we're walking with them here at home," Coffey said. "I wanted to show our troops that we're behind them."
Tom Northam can't forget the feeling he had in 1969 when he returned from his second tour with the Navy in Vietnam.
"When I was over there, I could feel it, I could read it. The country was not behind us," Northam said. "It was demoralizing. It made it harder for us to doour jobs."
Northam carried a sign Sunday that said "Protesters cost military lives."
He said he plastered those words on a bumper sticker in 1969 because he thought the division among the American public extended the war in Vietnam, leading to more American military deaths.
"Saddam Hussein watches CNN. He sees every protest and every newspaper article," Northam said. "He sees that as support for him.
"What I want to say is `Voice your objections before they (troops) go, but once they're deployed, support them.' "
Dan and Sue Homec said they attended the rally Sunday in part because they think the peace protesters have received too much attention.
"We support President Bush and our troops," Sue Homec said. "We think the war is necessary and because of that we do support our troops who have to take on that horrible challenge."
Selina Gagne's husband has been ordered to deploy with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. Gagne pushed her 21/2- year-old daughter in a stroller and chanted "Support our troops."
"Regardless of what happens, soldiers need our support," she said. "You can never get enough support."
Police escorted the estimated 300 people as they marched from Acacia Park south on Tejon Street to Vermijo Avenue and back to Cascade Avenue. They said the rally was peaceful and they didn't see any trouble.
Another rally in support of troops is planned Saturday at Memorial Park.
Copyright 2003, The Gazette, a division of Freedom Colorado Information. All rights reserved. Contact us.
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All of you Colorado Freepers, note that the article mentions another rally on the 15th at Memorial Park. I will be there, too. I hope to meet some of you there.
Washi
Washi
The Colorado page says we have over 200 Freepers. Where are you all?
Is anyone else planning on attending the March 15 Rally?
Washi
Perhaps. The only organizing that I have seen for the 22-23, Colorado-wise, was for the Western Slope. (Grand Junction, which I could do, but would prefer someplace closer.)
I am surprised to have not heard anything from Fivetoes or someone else in the Loveland area, they are always organizing something.
Washi
I am very proud of you and your fellow troop supporters! Northern Colorado FReeper Bump.
I am currently organizing a Support Our Troops rally for F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne on Sunday the 23rd.
FReeper chgomac is organizing a Support Our Troops Rally outside Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora at noon this coming Saturday. He is prepared to take on the planned anti-war rally and civil disobedience event all by himself if neccessary. We are really pi**ed off that the anti's would try to break our troops morale by demonstrating at the Air Base so a BIG show of Support is needed by ALL Denver area FReepers and FRiends. SPREAD THE WORD!!
Colorado Springs
Memorial Park (East End)
Saturday, March 15
1 pm to 3 pm
Hope to see you all there.
Washi
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