"Prairie for the President" Rally held February 19, 2003

'Prairie for the President' Rally at Capitol to show support for troops By Kellyn Brown Associated Press

BISMARCK - Cheryl Hellman stood with photos of her three sons, all of whom serve in the military, pinned to her red vest. An American flag was in her hand.

Hellman, a Bismarck resident, was one of about 200 people who gathered at the state Capitol's south steps Wednesday to rally in support of North Dakota soldiers.

It was not intended as a partisan or pro-war event, Republicans said, although it was organized by the state Federation of College Republicans and featured two prominent Republicans - Gov. John Hoeven and his predecessor, Ed Schafer - as speakers.

"Our leaders and men and women in uniform need to know whatever happens, we are with them, and we support them," Hoeven said.

More than 1,000 North Dakota National Guard soldiers have been called to duty in recent months, many for possible deployment to the Middle East.

Schafer said President Bush is protecting American freedom by insisting that Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein disarm.

Millions of protesters in the U.S. and abroad demonstrated last weekend against the prospect of war against Iraq, including a group that rallied at the spot where Wednesday's demonstration was held.

Schafer said the Capitol rally was intended to ensure that the "minority of voices do not drown out voices of the majority."

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/848326/posts
That would be THIS thread:

OPERATION INFINITE FREEP: "Prairie for the President."
Bismarck Tribune ^ | 2/20/2003 | Virginia Grantier
Posted on 02/20/2003 10:08 PM PST by NorthDakotaRepublican
Waving flags, unwavering support
Elizabeth Regstad, a grandmother from Velva, thought for a moment Wednesday after being asked if she had complete faith in President Bush.
"Basically, yes," she said.
When Rep. Kim Koppelman, R-West Fargo, was asked if he was sure Bush is on the correct course, he said he didn't know if "we ever know for sure if armed conflict is the right thing."
But both of them -- and others in the crowd of about 350 to 400 people at a Wednesday rally to show support for Bush and the troops -- indicated that the absolute need to show support surpassed any thoughts of hesitation.
"Not knowing what the situation is, complete knowledge, we have to support him because he has to make those decisions," Regstad said.
Former Gov. Ed Schafer told the crowd of several reasons why Bush should be trusted. Schafer, a speaker at the "Prairie for the President" rally sponsored by the North Dakota Federation of College Republicans, told the crowd that he was a friend of Bush's and that Bush was a man of honor and integrity who cares deeply about this country and is a prayerful man seeking superior guidance.
"He will not stand by and watch our country become vulnerable," Schafer said.
Schafer told the crowd that the millions of people who last week protested a potential war did it for political reasons. He said that when "their president," President Clinton, lobbed missiles into Iraq without United Nations approval, there was no protest then.
"We have to make sure that a minority of loud voices do not drown out the message we send today," he said.
Rally organizer Joe Miller, 20, a political science major at University of North Dakota and currently a legislative page in Bismarck, said a majority of the state's Republican legislators attended.
There also was a Democrat, Rep. Eliot Glassheim, D-Grand Forks. He was the only one in the rally crowd indicating opposition. He held a sign: "Invading Iraq weakens America."
There were tears in Glassheim's eyes when Miller sang "God Bless the USA."
"I love that song," Glassheim said.
But he said if the United States ends up killing 10,000 Iraqi women and children "I won't be able to sing that song again ... maybe in private."
"President Bush has made a terrible mistake."
Glassheim said he thinks Bush's actions will destroy NATO, destabilize the region, cause rioting in the streets of Cairo and other urban centers there and unleash more terrorism in the U.S.
"Saddam (Hussein) and Osama (bin Laden) never cared for each other, hated each other," Glassheim said. Now, they've been brought together in a common cause, he said.
He said that when China and Russia had "extremely nasty people, and nuclear weapons, the U.S. didn't resolve the problem this way.
Glassheim said that if the U.S. has proof that Saddam has weapons, the U.S. should tell weapons inspectors where they are so the inspectors can destroy them.
"Where are they? ... It's a fabricated threat," he said.
Anton Guerrero, 19, of Harvey High School, was at the Capitol for a field trip, but ended up having the opportunity to join a rally that supported his views.
"It's about time. Saddam's been stalling for too long," he said. "If we don't do pre-emptive strikes, they'll hit us before we hit them." He said that the events of Sept. 11, 2001, alone were justification for military action.
"Nobody wants war," Gov. John Hoeven said at the rally.
But he said that the men and women of the armed forces "need to know that whatever happens, we are with them and we support them," he told the crowd.
Gabe Rauschenburger, of the college Republicans group, told the crowd that the troops are risking possible injury or death.
"We are all truly indebted to them," he said.
The Rev. Ruger Winchester, a former B-52 wing commander and now a Baptist minister from New Salem, asked God to help the troops achieve victory.
"Give them everything they need to win the battle," he said.
And he implored God to help U.S. soldiers hear these words: "Fear not, for I am with you."
(Reach reporter Virginia Grantier at 250-8254 or at vgrantier@ndonline.com)
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Support the North Dakota College Republican's Rally on Feb 19th!
Time to Network and Join Forces!
2-16-03 | Bob J

Posted on 02/16/2003 12:33 PM PST by Bob J

For Immediate Release:
Contact:
Joe Miller
701.331.1491
joemill2@hotmail.com

NORTH DAKOTANS TO RALLY
IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENT BUSH, ARMED FORCES
“PRAIRIE FOR THE PRESIDENT”

BISMARCK, ND –Gov. John Hoeven and former Gov. Ed Schafer will headline a rally to support President George W. Bush and our nation’s Armed Forces. With the ever-growing need for unity in fighting the war on terrorism, the North Dakota Federation of College Republicans has organized a rally on the front steps of the Capitol on Wednesday, Feb. 19th at 12:30 PM.

“Today, more than ever, we need to stand united behind our President and our troops,” Hoeven said. “A new generation of young men and women are preparing to defend our liberties and values. We must stand shoulder to shoulder with them as they assume these enormous responsibilities on our behalf.”

Schafer emphasized the importance of showing our appreciation to our armed services and those who lead our country.

“During this time of uncertainty, I hope North Dakotans will take the time to show their support of our President and every North Dakotan who has been called to service, and recognize their sacrifice for the safety and security of our great nation,” said Schafer.

Students from across the state began organizing the event two months ago. NDFCR Chairman, Justin Dever commented, “I am confident in the ability of this rally to show the nation and the world, North Dakota’s belief in our President and his ability to make decisions.” He also stated that many people are planned to be in attendance, and enthusiasm will run high...
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-- snip --
To: Bob J

Nice job, guys! Great rally and really nice speechs by Governor Hoeven and former governor Schafer! I had temporarily forgotten that Ed Schafer is a friend of President Bush (they share a love of running). Please try to post pics, video, or a clip of Joe Miller's wonderful singing of "Proud to be an American". All the presenters were terrific!

I couldn't tell from where I was from, but it felt like a good-sized crowd.

10 posted on 02/19/2003 11:31 AM PST by alwaysconservative (In search of a good tagline)
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To: alwaysconservative

We weren't there, looks like the FReport is up to you!

11 posted on 02/19/2003 5:25 PM PST by Bob J (Join the Free Republic Network! www.freerepublic.net)
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To: alwaysconservative

I have posted the Bismarck Tribune article about the rally at http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/848326/posts . I will try to post pictures, but I'm new at this. I'll see what I can do about video as well. Joe did a wonderful job with everything and his singing of "God Bless the USA" was a highlight of the day.

12 posted on 02/20/2003 10:13 PM PST by NorthDakotaRepublican
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To: alwaysconservative

Joe thought of holding a "Prairie for the President" rally back in November when some Hollywood elite came out opposing President Bush and thinking they knew foreign policy better than our leaders.

13 posted on 02/20/2003 10:31 PM PST by NorthDakotaRepublican

For some reason that image (posted above) does NOT want to appear here...

Perhaps if you cut and pasted THIS url --> http://www.ndfcr.republican.com/trust.jpg <-- into your browser address box, and then hit "go" - it would force the image to load to your hard drive.
Then, you could hit your "back" button to get back to this thread, with the image properly displayed.
(That worked for ME!)

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