Posted on 01/27/2008 5:22:03 AM PST by W04Man
People drive across state to celebrate military
BY AMANDA HICKEY
January 26, 2008 - 10:41PM
DAILY NEWS STAFF
More than 250 people gathered with U.S. flags and signs showing their support for the military in front of Wal-Mart by U.S. 17 and Western Boulevard on Saturday.
More than 100 American flags were waved in the air while signs asked drivers to “Honk if you love the Marine Corps.”
Another sign told people that “If you don’t stand behind the troops, stand in front.”
The celebration was one of two events — with the other at Jacksonville Commons Park — organized in response to an anti-Marine Corps and military protest by Westboro Baptist Church, based in Topeka, Kan., that happened across town.
“We’re just here to show the world that we support the troops,” said Bill Cook of Sherrills Ford, state captain of the Patriot Guard.
Cook drove from the town that is north of Charlotte to attend the celebration.
“Some of the signs say honk if you love the Marines and, obviously, this is Marine territory,” he said, motioning toward the road where drivers were honking the horns while passengers hung out car windows waving flags and screaming their support.
Among the flags being waved by the crowd were some that came from the Healing Field in Sturgis, S.D. Each flag represents a fallen warrior and has a tag on it saying as much, Cook said.
When the field took the flags down, the Patriot Guard bought many of them. Cook also bought a few, the first of which he gave to the young fallen Marine’s mother, he said.
Despite the cold and the rain, those celebrating the troops weren’t stopping.
“That’s just respect and honor,” Cook said while looking at those involved in the celebration.
Darryl Linder, a gold-star father who lost his son in June, drove from Hickory to attend the celebration.
“I love it. I would have driven a lot farther than this. There’s a lot of good people here from every walk of life. I love it,” he said. “We’re just supporting what our nation stands for, what the men and women do.”
Others came to drown out the voices of the Westboro protestors.
“It’s awesome. Rain doesn’t bother me. Cold doesn’t bother me, because I know we’re doing the right thing,” Fayetteville resident Mike Surles, 43, said.
George Samek of Shallotte said each person on that sidewalk and in the grass was there for the same reason: to support the troops.
“I love it. I am a 22-year Army vet, a two-year Vietnam veteran. If you attack my military, I am on you like glue,” Samek said.
Retired Chief Petty Officer Les Valyer rides with the American Legion in Winston-Salem and drove from Statesville to show his support.
“It gives you a really warm feeling inside to do something like this. I like supporting the troops,” he said.
When Valyer heard about the Westboro Baptist Church’s plans to protest in Jacksonville, he came to “make sure they had enough support here.”
He was not surprised by the number of people that turned out but was happy so many were there.
“It’s great, really it’s great, to see all these people in the rain doing this,” he said. “It really shows how strong this country is.”
Josh and Tessa Elsass of Jacksonville came to the celebration to support the troops and remember friends they’ve lost along the way.
“We’ve had friends get hit with these IEDs they support,” Tessa said. “It’s good to see all these people support them. All you hear on the news is those against them.”
“So we have to fight a war here as well as overseas,” Josh, who was in the Marine Corps for five years, added.
For Donna McDowell of Raleigh, showing her support of the Marine Corps and military was an honor.
“I am so proud of the military. It’s just awesome. They’re thanking us when we’re out here supporting them. - It’s an honor to stand here and support these guys.”
Contact Jacksonville and Onslow County reporter Amanda Hickey at ahickey@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8463.
Ping!
Way to go Patriots!!!
“It’s good to see all these people support them. All you hear on the news is those against them.”
Bingo!!!
Way to go! Thank you!!!
I’ll second that.
Amen!
Honk, honk. Beep, beep.
Good stuff.
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.