Posted on 03/21/2003 1:35:08 PM PST by Tamar1973
Healdsburg rally backs troops By PAUL PAYNE THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
In a departure from Sonoma County war protests, demonstrators in Healdsburg waved American flags and donned yellow ribbons Thursday in a rally supporting U.S. troops.
The crowd of more than 125 people, many of whom were parents of servicemen and women, lined Healdsburg Avenue on the downtown plaza, drawing honks of approval from drivers and a few encouraging tire screeches.
Across the street, about 100 anti-war protesters took up positions in a silent vigil against military action and President Bush.
Dianna Murphy and her husband T.J., whose son Ryan Alves is a Marine in the war zone, stayed up late with friends the night before, twisting 1,500 yards of bulk yellow ribbon into bows for the back-the-troops rally.
The ribbon symbolizes unswerving support and hope that the troops return safely, Murphy said.
"I'm a little scared about Ryan. Proud, but scared," said Murphy, dressed in a bright yellow T-shirt. "Whether you're for or against the war, it's important to support the troops over there."
Unlike demonstrations in Santa Rosa, where 50 people were arrested, Healdsburg demonstrators were mostly peaceful. There were no arrests.
"The crowds were very well behaved," Police Sgt. Gary Plass said. "We did cite a person for exhibition of speed. But for the most part, it went well."
Pam Michalek of Geyserville said she was happy with the turnout in a county seemingly dominated by war protesters.
Michalek has two sons in the Army: Sean Bailey, a helicopter crew chief in Kuwait, and T.J. Bailey, whose medevac unit in Fort Bragg, N.C., is waiting to deploy to the Middle East.
She said she was "frightened" for her sons, but said the unpleasant task of removing a dictator was necessary.
"We're all for peace," Michalek said. "Something had to be done to help the Iraqi people though. Saddam Hussein must go."
John Pollard of Healdsburg, whose son Justin enlisted in the Navy, said fighting for a cause he believes is just "is part of the agreement."
Standing just a few hundred yards from the Healdsburg war memorial, where the names of dozens of men killed in action are listed, he said the small town has a proud tradition of serving the country.
"For a little Podunk town in Northern California, there are a lot of kids in the military," said Pollard, holding onto two St. Bernards draped in yellow ribbons.
Jennifer Nolan, 18, was less certain about tradition and war. But she came out to voice her support for the troops. Nolan's boyfriend, James Abrao, is a Marine lance corporal on Iraq duty.
She stood on the sidewalk with Abrao's mother and grandfather, holding signs and wearing buttons with the young man's picture.
"I'm pretty scared," she said. "I've gotten a few letters and a phone call on Valentine's Day. That's the last we heard from him."
Across the way, anti-war protesters weighed in on the gathering of supporters, who had grabbed a stretch of sidewalk that has been home to peace demonstrations the past 30 Wednesdays.
Bob Boardman, who held a small candle, said he thought the gathering was a "one-shot affair. This is unusual," he said as a man in a pickup drove by, showing his middle finger.
"He's just your basic, rural red-neck," Boardman said.
Dianna Murphy said now that war has begun, the right thing to do is back the troops. The anti-war movement is misguided, she said.
"It's disrespectful to our country, our flag and our president," she said
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