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Missouri-First OFFICIAL Support Our Troops Rally, Jefferson City 03/22/03
03/22/03 | bluesagewoman

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.


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Editorial; US: Missouri
KEYWORDS: freep; march22reports; missouri; peaceniks; rally; support; troops
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1 posted on 03/22/2003 8:17:20 PM PST by bluesagewoman
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To: zip; Mrs Zip; bretmilk; Prov3456; SunnySide; AntiJen; bogeyman; Bahbah; Dogrobber; radu; SAMWolf; ..
Ping you guys! Forward as you want. Zip & Prov, you'll have to fill in on the content of the speeches. BTW, the media just stated it was 2,000. I should have posted more of the panorama shots, but I do believe they are off a bit.
2 posted on 03/22/2003 8:22:31 PM PST by bluesagewoman
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To: bluesagewoman
Now that is a after-action report.

Super rally.

3 posted on 03/22/2003 8:22:34 PM PST by Interesting Times (Eagles Up! Join the Rally for America...)
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To: bluesagewoman
dynamite report! just wish you'd gotten a pic of the woman holding the poster with THREE blue stars - if I read it right her husband and two kids are all Marines in the gulf...whew! funny how nobody showed up on the evening news isn't it?


4 posted on 03/22/2003 8:24:03 PM PST by ahadams2
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To: bluesagewoman
Thanks, we needed more of your rally to choose from for the CD Tribute to the troops.
5 posted on 03/22/2003 8:24:31 PM PST by A Navy Vet
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To: bluesagewoman
Great pics! That's good you had nice weather.
6 posted on 03/22/2003 8:25:34 PM PST by Ciexyz
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To: MistyCA; AntiJen; Victoria Delsoul; SassyMom; bentfeather; GatorGirl; radu; souris; SpookBrat; ...
Great job and report once again Blue!
7 posted on 03/22/2003 8:27:00 PM PST by SAMWolf (We can count on the French to be there when they need us.)
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To: bluesagewoman
FReep on blue! Fantastic photos!!

Thank you for your written and visual report!
8 posted on 03/22/2003 8:30:22 PM PST by Soaring Feather
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To: SAMWolf
Thanks Sam.

Bump.

9 posted on 03/22/2003 8:33:21 PM PST by Victoria Delsoul
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To: SAMWolf
BUMP
10 posted on 03/22/2003 8:34:38 PM PST by Aquamarine
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To: bluesagewoman; brydic1
thanks for posting.....
11 posted on 03/22/2003 8:39:14 PM PST by rface (Ashland, Missouri)
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To: bluesagewoman
Great job! Wish I could have attended. Thanks for the excellent report.
12 posted on 03/22/2003 8:41:19 PM PST by Ben Hecks
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To: bluesagewoman
....the mother of a military member, Rita Turley.....

do I remember right that Turley's son is part of the 101st?

13 posted on 03/22/2003 8:42:11 PM PST by rface (Ashland, Missouri)
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To: ahadams2
It a crying shame. KOMU covered the 30 peaceniks in Columbia but made no mention of this much much larger rally at the Capitol. KMIZ made no mention of this big rally but also mentioned the rallies by peaceniks. Since the NCAA has been covered non stop by KRCG, I don't know if they ever broke for news although I did see some of their camera crew at the rally.
14 posted on 03/22/2003 8:49:08 PM PST by brydic1
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To: brydic1
KMIZ covered the Rally fairly well. They also caught the counter against the protesters at the post office in Columbia this morning. It was a 3 second shot, but it was there!! We ran down to Jeff as soon as we could pack up at the post office. If more folks showed up on Saturdays and raised enough cane, they may cover it more. I railed on the media now for a few weeks, and it seems to be budging a bit.
15 posted on 03/22/2003 8:54:27 PM PST by bluesagewoman
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To: bluesagewoman
Col Ballard said he uses a picture of Jane Fonda in his urinal for his aiming. He was super. Very much a conservative and a big supporter of Bush somewhat to the consternation of our governor who did some squirming while the Colonel was speaking.
16 posted on 03/22/2003 8:55:33 PM PST by brydic1
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To: brydic1
Too bad it is only a picture.
17 posted on 03/22/2003 9:02:50 PM PST by bluesagewoman
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To: bluesagewoman
Congrats on a fabulous 'Official' rally!! I love your report Blue and the pix are wonderful.
18 posted on 03/22/2003 10:14:44 PM PST by Jen (Support our Troops * Stand up to Terrorists * Liberate Iraq)
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To: bluesagewoman
Okay.

When is the NEXT Pro-America Rally!? LoL

Thanks for the pics..I wish I was there! :(

BUT I will be there next Saturday at the Post Office! :)

19 posted on 03/23/2003 4:57:30 AM PST by GulfWar1Vet (Do your American duty ~ Pray for and support the American President and Troops!)
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To: bluesagewoman
I'm sorry I couldn't make it. You make me proud to be from Missouri. You guys did a great job!
20 posted on 03/23/2003 5:03:09 AM PST by openotherend (Pray for the troops.)
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