Bumpin
"The List"
"The List"
Posted on 03/02/2003 7:21:58 AM PST by MS.BEHAVIN
Byline: MARK SHANAHAN Staff Writer
Concerned that recent anti-war protests could have a "deleterious psychological effect" on U.S. troops, Carole Graves stood in a steady rain Saturday, gripping an American flag. Graves was among about 50 Mainers who gathered here to show support for President Bush, and for the men and women who will risk their lives in the event of a war with Iraq."There have been so many demonstrations by people who seem not to understand the issues," Graves said. "We do understand.......
(Excerpt) Read more at nl.newsbank.com ...
Thousands of horns honked and the support was just breathtaking.
Pictures to follow.
Michael_Reagan@TimesRecord.Com
02/14/2003
TOPSHAM - Motorists driving south on Interstate 95 Thursday morning may have seen people waving American flags and banners from overpasses in Richmond, Bowdoinham and Topsham.
Unfortunately, the soldiers meant to see the patriotic display never got a chance to appreciate the effort of those who braved the cold to show their support for the troops. The military convoy didn't pass through the area while the supporters were on the overpasses.
The 112th Medical Company, an Army National Guard unit based in Bangor, for whom the display was meant, left the state Thursday on deployment to Fort Drum in upstate New York.
People such as Loretta Solak of Topsham wanted to send the unit off with fanfare, so they ventured into the cold to wave flags and hold signs with messages such as "We support the troops" and "God Bless America."
People driving below on the interstate honked their horns in agreement, Solak said.
She and others waited in Topsham from around 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., but did not see the convoy.
Maj. Peter Rogers, director of public affairs for the Maine National Guard in Augusta, said the convoy consisted of 21 trucks. The unit is made up of more than 120 people. Rogers saw the convoy head south on Interstate 95 in Sidney, but said people may not have seen them farther south on the interstate if the convoy made a stop for scheduled maintenance checks on trucks and cargo. Rogers did not know the route the convoy was taking. The trip to Fort Drum, the mobilization site for the unit, will take two days, Rogers said.
Members of the 112th received a send-off in Bangor Thursday at the Army Aviation Support Facility, he said.
The 112th uses Black Hawk helicopters to provide emergency medical support on battlefields or other areas. Members of the unit are trained and prepared to move anyone who is wounded or injured.
Another Maine unit, the 1136th Transportation Company, based in Bangor and Sanford, has been activated but not yet deployed.
Solak said if more troops go through the area on deployment, she plans to participate in another show of support.
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