Posted on 03/22/2003 8:17:20 PM PST by bluesagewoman
What a beautiful morning as spring greeted the Missouri River Valley and patriots from all over the state gathered on the grounds of the Capital’s south lawn. The Columbia Post Office Freepers (joined by a few new folks) after doing their duty of irritating the peaceniks, rushed to Jefferson City to plant a flag and listen to speakers. They had plenty to say.
Let’s start out by mentioning that the Missouri State Legislature passed War Resolution SR433 that states that Missouri Supports Our Troops, and supports military actions in Iraq. This flew in the face of local Jefferson City peaceniks who tried to get the city council to pass a city of peace resolution earlier in the week, with the meeting ending in a screaming match and free-for-all.
This break-through of Missouri solidarity started setting the pitch of excitement as Rally time drew near. Knowing our state was bravely bucking the radical leftist intimidation of the screaming masses who roam the streets exhibiting stupidity (civil disobedience) we finally felt we would be sending a wonderful message to our troops. That message wound up bigger than any of us expected.
As folks were crossing the bridge and approaching the Capital Building, it was obvious a huge crowd was gathering. Flags waving in the river breeze, families, music, almost liquid sunshine, flowering magnolia trees - the senses were overwhelmed while strolling down the path toward the grounds of the building affectionately called “The Rock Pile,” the capital being constructed of white Missouri limestone. Most comforting, no sign of disruptors, I suspect because of the security set up where a fence had been erected to funnel foot traffic onto the lawn; pouches and purses were going through a cursory search by VERY PLEASANT law enforcement officers.
Describing the size of the crowd is difficult, as it wound around the edges of the building, and rolled with the lay of the swells on the lawn. Instead of an ocean of new, green, spring grass, our eyes were greeted with a sea of red, white, and blue – a beautiful sight after a long, drab winter, and a constant affront of peacenik gatherings 2 or 3 times a week. This crowd was as large as all their tantrum demonstrations, put together.
After a prayer, and our National Anthem, Governor Holden opened the Rally and advised the crowd that this was the First Official Support Our Troops Rally in the United States since the start of the war. It was so, because he had just declared this was an Official Rally!!! That brought a huge cheer. Colonel Don Ballard, Medal of Honor Winner, spoke to us of how important it was that we show support for our troops now and when they come home. He reminded us that no one held signs for his generation of warriors, and the pain the lack of support had caused. He also said something about Jane Fonda and a urinal, but I didn’t catch it all. (Sunny, if you would re-post your biographical information about Col. Ballard in comments, it will let everyone know what an honor it was to have him speak to us).
Remarks by Senator Jim Talent, Congressmen Ike Skelton and Kenny Hulshoff, and the mother of a military member, Rita Turley, followed. The crowd listened appreciatively to every speaker, and erupted into cheers and applause whenever our awesome troops were mentioned. Zip and Mrs. Zip, Prov and Bogeyman were the ears to the speeches, and I wandered around snapping photos of some of the more interesting scenes I encountered.
At one point, after asking permission to take a picture of 3 highway patrolmen who said yes, and in sync struck up a parade rest pose for me. I then asked one of them if being at this rally was a little different than babysitting the peaceniks protests. He said, “YES MAAM!!!” It was obvious they were enjoying the Rally as much as the rest of us. Media folks were all over the place and I got to wink at a handsome soldier as he gave an interview to a reporter, and a tiny, matching young man was standing close to him. I imagine the little guy was his son.
Too soon the music stopped, the talking ended, and the time for departure came. A few people milled around and spoke to politicians and military folks a little more personally. Reporters headed toward their vehicles to rush their film and tapes to edit and air. Children with little keepsake flags in their tiny hands walked with their parents back down the sidewalks, past the white bluffs of the Missouri River, past just-starting-to-bloom magnolias. And, as calmly as the event started, it ended. However, our hearts had been filled from coming together, as a nation, to tell our troops we love them, and love our country. We really needed that.
My estimate of the crowd...6,000-7,000. DogRobber's estimate upon viewing all the photos, was about the same, 5,000-6,000. We'll see what the media states.
And special thanks to AntiJen for an emergency loan of web space while mine is down.
A family shows their support for our troops!
Another family with signs.
Our vantage point.
Panorama...this was a huge crowd!
This guys sure supports our troops!
The interview.
Gang at the Post Office counter.
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