Posted on 04/01/2003 1:22:33 PM PST by Mon
DOWN MAIN STREET, from the Cary House to Bedford Avenue, locals marched, cheered and waved signs in support of the troops Friday evening. See story, " Community encompasses differing opinions on war."Democrat photo by William A. Scales
March 31, 2003 -- Community encompasses differing opinions on war
By COLLEEN FLANNERY
Staff writer
Yellow ribbons and red, white and blue banners colored Placerville's streets on Friday. Horns honked and voices shouted, "U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A" as locals marched to support the military men and women in Iraq.
The "Citizens Support Our Troops" rally drew hundreds of area residents, who marched along Main Street or cheered on a speech by state Rep. Tim Leslie. Leslie, who lost his own father in World War II, handed out "blue star flags" to those with family members who are serving in Iraq.
"We stand with you in prayer for their safety," Leslie told the parents, spouses, brothers and sisters. "We hope you feel the love."
During World War I, the tradition of sewing a blue star on a flag began as a way to signify a son who was overseas fighting. If the son was killed in battle, the blue star was exchanged for a yellow one. In a telling moment, the line of area loved ones hoping to receive a blue star flag snaked through the crowded Town Hall and around a corner.
In line, young Savannah Stanhope waited patiently for a flag, holding a sign that said, "My Dad is over there for freedom." Mother Linnea Stanhope held a picture of the family's own Marine, pilot Labin Wilson.
"We totally miss him," Linnea Stanhope said. "We both grew up here together. He would be just amazed at the turnout today."
The "turnout" brought television cameras and a "Fourth of July" patriotic feel to Main Street. Marchers followed a continuous loop, from the Courthouse down Main Street, turning at the Cary House and heading back to Bedford Ave. Some stood by the side of the road, encouraging passing cars to honk as the flags waved. One enterprising soul wrote, "Honk for Better Roads," while others went with more traditional messages, including "God Bless Bush and Blair," or cracked wise, like "Whaq Iraq."
"We were in Auburn earlier, and they didn't have anything like this," said Leslie spokesman Brian O'Neel.
Meanwhile, at their usual Friday spot between Highway 49 and Highway 50, members of the El Dorado Peace & Justice Community stood vigil. Numbering less than the Main Street group, the peace community nevertheless had its numbers slightly swelled by Nevada City and Sacramento protesters.
Peace protesters, the group of which Leslie said "Many of them seem to hate America," didn't appear to be displaying hatred for America. Some of them, in fact, flew American flags. None of the peace movement's followers interviewed said they had a lack of respect for the troops, and the "showdown" that had worried organizers on both sides never really took place.
"We support the troops, but we feel the war's going to escalate, and it's really sad, really scary," said Placerville resident Lynette Appelbaum. "This isn't a partisan issue, as far as I'm concerned. We have people from all parties, we have vets in our group."
Shingle Springs resident Pete Studleska flashed peace signs at Highway 50 travelers, most of them heading east to Lake Tahoe.
"This (group) is people who are against the violence, against the killing," he said.
Some of the troops' biggest supporters came from Placerville's veteran community. Jay Hammond, a VFW member who served with the Marines in Korea, said his grandson, Jeremy Webb was overseas.
"I have a lot of pride in my country and in the men who defend her," said the flag-waving Marine. "We have come out to show our support."
According to his grandfather, Webb's discharge had been due, but his service was extended so that he could serve in the war.
"They have my respect, every last one of them," Hammond said.
Another local son, Ponderosa High School graduate Chad Peabody, also enlisted to fight. He is serving as a corpsman in a hospital near the front lines, work "ineffably honored" dad Geof Peabody compared to the "M.A.S.H." unit in the popular television show.
"We always knew he was going to be in the Marines," said proud mom Viviane Peabody, who signed papers to help her then-underaged son enlist nearly five years ago. She saw her son off recently. "He was ready mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually."
Each of the couples' sons have expressed interest in joining the military or have already done so. Son Chasen spent five years in the Navy, while son Geoffrey plans to be a Navy aviator. Christian is a Marine Cadet now, seeking a commission in a Navy submarine. Son Gary may yet join the military.
Their mother encouraged the boys to join, as she didn't.
"I didn't do it (serve in the Navy) and I don't want them to have the regrets that I have," she said. Although he said he himself was "more the Peace Corps type," Geof Peabody praised the "limitless opportunities" available to his military son -- and praised the young man.
"He stands up for what he believes is right and good," he said.
All of the military families received a blue star, with the unspoken hope that each star stays blue in its field of white. They also received assurances of prayers from many present, including Leslie, who choked up as he brought out the flag once draped on his father's coffin.
"We want our loved ones to know we stand behind them," Leslie said.
After Leslie spoke, Ginny Nahmens, who helped start Mothers of Marines (MOM), said a few words.
"We love them and we pray for them every minute of every day," said Nahmens of the soldiers. The mother of Corporal Glen Williams, a U.S. Marine, Nahmens said she started the organization to help support all mothers who miss their battle-bound "babies."
Find Mothers of Marines online at www.lejenique.com/mom.
Thanks for being there.
I'm gonna try to incite the crowd at the A's/Mariners game tomorrow night with a USA, USA, USA wave. :)
Check it out!
Free Republic Network Chairman on Fox & Friends
Regards,
TS
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