You could see the cars lined up in both lanes, backed up THREE miles going BOTH North and South, and down Navy Rd.
NOT ONE protester.
We had THANK YOU posters for people to sign and all 6 of them were filled. Kids brought cards and letters to the troops.
Mike Fleming our after noon WREC 600 talk host co-MC'd the even with Craig Robbins the morning drive host.
Lots of patriotic music. The AM Legion passed out small American flags, Yellow Ribbons, literature, gave out rally flyers as keep sakes.
Took up donations to support their Vet programs.
It was a sunny day, perfect temps mid 60's. I made it through my speech with out a problem (Thank you Jesus). Every speech was good. Especially Col Lopez's he had some none to kind words for the French. Some for slick willie's administration, and the protesters.
It was a Barn Burner. I could listen to him speak all day. We had a Bag Piper who played Amazing Grace when the Chaplain opened with prayer and closed with prayer. He played America the Beautiful when they Retired the Colors.
WREC and Champion T Shirt Co had Rally T shirts for sale. I got one.
It was something to see all those motor cycles roll in.
There are not enough words to tell you how my heart swelled with pride at that sea of Red, White and Blue. The crowd was PUMPED, and stayed PUMPED the entire time.
There was only one small hitch in the entire program. Someone got the Branch of service wrong on Cheryl Abel..she is USA..but they played the Anchor's Away. Oh, did I forget to say that as each speaker was intro'ed they played the Service Song for the branch of the military they were in. The only difference was Col. Lopez, he got the USAF song coming and going.
When I closed my speech with God Bless America, God Bless our Military and GOD Bless George W Bush the crowd went wild!
Parents brought in photos on poster board with their son's photos who were in the various services and we signed them. One mom was in tears over the Support Our Troop Rally.
Master of Ceremonies Mike Fleming, Craig Robbins
Posting the colors
Millington High School Jr. ROTC
Opening prayer: American Legion Chaplain Dave Alfrey
Pledge of allegiance Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts
Anthem Victoria Metheny
Recognition of VIPs (POLITICALS, and Babe Howard who donated the Stadium's use)
Five minute speeches:
Civilian Population * Mrs. Gail Keasling
WWII Veteran * Jesse Vowell, USN
Korea Veteran * Walter Hollyfield, USAF & USN
Viet Nam Veteran * George Berthelson, USMC
Gulf War Veterans * Cheryl Abel, USA
Disabled Veteran - Brian Styer, USN
Keynote speaker
Col. Antonio Lopez, USAF (ret.)(the Col is a personal friend to GW)
Closing Blessing American Legion Chaplain Dave Alfrey
Retire the Colors
Millington High School Jr. ROTC
Carolyn Mathis, CT - Certified Interpreter for the Deaf
Bag Piper Gordon Abernathy