Westbrook(ME) man organizes rally to show support for troops (2/9/03 2:30PM Monument Square)

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) In response to state and local resolutions against a war in Iraq, a Westbrook man has decided to organize a rally this weekend to show support for American troops.

American flags will be in abundance and a singer will belt out ''America the Beautiful,'' said Ray Richardson of Westbrook, who is inviting a number of veterans and parents of servicemen and women.

It was a fine rally; a good turnout - 100 or so I'd say. It was a little chilly, but not terribly so, and there was a fair amount of sun in between the clouds over Portland.

There were several good speakers, a Patriotic Vocalist, and flags galore. All in all, it was a lot of fun and seems to have succeeded in it's mission to get the point across to the public that the majority Liberals in Augusta and Portland do not represent all Mainers... by a long shot!

Most of the signs appeared to be hand-made, but there were a couple of snazzy "God Bless the USA" signs carried by a pair of young Ladies with red, white, and blue patriotic face-paint.

A couple of boisterous buffoons were escorted accross the street by some of Portland's Finest, where they continued to bellow "No Blood For Oil!" and other standard socialist rhetoric, while gesturing towards us with their own special "Peace" sign... which seemed to be one finger short of a full peace. They were generaly drowned out and ignored, being frequently eclipsed by passing vehicles honking their horns and/or with cheering occupants.

Several other bystanders went to and fro discretely flashing little yellow pocket-sized signs reading "Dump Bush". But when the collective Love of Country and impassioned prayers for our Nations' Military Heroes intensified into a palpable, electifying presence, those few malcontents just seemed to evaporate.

The American Legion was well represented, with at least one Regional Commander and a Color - Bearer with a large Post National Colors prominently displayed among several Fellow Legionares I saw.

Almost everybody had at least one American flag, and at the closing of the Rally the young Soldier who brought the sound system cranked up "God Bless The USA!", and the whole crowd sang along with gusto, flags waving in time to the music.

This Evening, the 3 major TV Stations - Ch.13, 8, and 6 - all carried about a 30-second spot on the rally and breif interviews with Ray and others.

It was great!

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