Flag-waving Milwaukee crowd trumpets support for troops

A large crowd of demonstrators rallied Saturday at Cathedral Square in a star-spangled tribute to U.S. troops leading the invasion of Iraq.

Waving flags and singing patriotic anthems, participants said they wanted to provide an alternative voice to balance antiwar protests that have occurred in Milwaukee and elsewhere.

Police estimated that 2,000 people attended the event, dubbed "Rally for America."

Russ Nicloy of Waukesha draped an American flag over his shoulders and took photographs, saying he hoped to send pictures to a friend who is among the troops in the Persian Gulf.

Nicloy said he worries that widespread antiwar protests are hurting morale within the U.S.-led invasion forces.

"If they've seen people not supporting their causes, at least they'll know we're out here," he said. "I want them to know we appreciate what they're doing."

The rally was organized by Clear Channel Communications Inc., a Texas-based company that owns radio stations in Milwaukee, along with the local chapter of Free Republic, a political action group.

The hourlong demonstration under partly cloudy skies attracted people from throughout the Milwaukee area. With many adorned in red, white and blue, the crowd sang "God Bless America" and waved signs with such messages as "Silent majority supports America."

Some voiced concern about casualties in the war to overthrow the Iraqi government.

"I don't believe in having war, but I've got to support the troops," said Bob Weiland Jr., who waved a large U.S. flag.

Tina LaPointe of West Allis, a student at St. Matthias School, carried a picture of a classmate's father who is involving in the fighting. LaPointe said she wanted to show support for the U.S. armed forces.

On several occasions, the Cathedral Square crowd broke into a loud chant of "USA! USA!"

Waving a small American flag, Kathy Sivilotti of Glendale, who has a nephew in the Army, said she was concerned about the messages that troops are getting from antiwar protests.

"There's such a misconception of how this is over oil," she said. "This is not over oil - it's over freedom and security."

A version of this story appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on March 23, 2003.

Found on the net, thought I would share...

Stand Up for America Rally Speech By: Beth Chapman

I'm here tonight because men and women of the United States military have given their lives for my freedom. I am not here tonight because Sheryl Crowe, Rosie O'Donnell, Martin Sheen, George Clooney, Jane Fonda or Phil Donahue, sacrificed their lives for me.

If my memory serves me correctly, it was not movie stars or musicians, but the United States Military who fought on the shores of Iwo Jima, the jungles of Vietnam, and the beaches of Normandy.

Tonight, I say we should support the President of the United States and the U.S. Military and tell the liberal, tree-hugging, Birkenstock-wearing, hippy, tie-dyed liberals to go make their movies and music and whine somewhere else.

After all, if they lived in Iraq, they wouldn't be allowed the freedom of speech they're being given here today. Ironically, they would be put to death at the hands of Sadam Husssein or Osama Bin Laden.

I want to know how the very people who are against war because of the loss of life, can possibly be the same people who are for abortion?

They are the same people who are for animal rights but against the rights of the unborn.

The movie stars say they want to go to Iraq and serve as "human shields" for the Iraqis. I say let them buy a one-way ticket and go..

No one likes war. I hate war! But the one thing I hate more is the fact that this country has been forced into war. Innocent people have lost their lives - - and there but for the grace of God, it could have been my brother, my husband, or even worse my own son..

On December 7, 1941, there are no records of movie stars treading the blazing waters of Pearl Harbor.

On September 11, 2001; there are no photos of movie stars standing as "human shields" against the debris and falling bodies descending from the World Trade Center. There were only policemen and firemen - -underpaid civil servants who gave their all with nothing expected in return.

When the USS Cole was bombed, there were no movie stars guarding the ship - - where were the human shields then?

If America's movie stars want to be human shields, let them shield the gang-ridden streets of Los Angeles, or New York City, let them shield the lives of the children of North Birmingham whose mothers lay them down to sleep on the floor each night to shelter them from stray bullets.

If they want to be human shields, I say let them shield the men and women of honesty and integrity who epitomize courage and embody the spirit of freedom by wearing the proud uniforms of the United States Military. Those are the people who have earned and deserve shielding!

Throughout the course of history, this country has remained free, not because of movie stars and liberal activists, but because of brave men and women who hated war too. However, they lay down their lives so that we all may live in freedom. After all - "Greater love hath no man, that he lay down his life for his friend," or in this case a country.

We should give our military honor and acknowledgement and not let their lives be in vain. If you want to see true human shields, walk through Arlington Cemetery. There lie human shields, heroes, and the BRAVE Americans who didn't get on television and talk about being a human shield - they were human shields.

I thank God tonight for freedom - - those who bought and paid for it with their lives in the past - - those who will protect it in the present and defend it in the future.

America has remained silent too long! God-fearing people have remained silent too long!

We must lift our voices united in a humble prayer to God for guidance and the strength and courage to sustain us throughout whatever the future may hold.

After the tragic events of Sept. 11th, my then eleven -year-old son said terrorism is a war against us and them and if you're not one of us, then you're one of them.

So in closing tonight, let us be of one accord, let us stand proud, and let us be the human shields of prayer, encouragement and support for the President, our troops and their families and our country.

May God bless America, the land of the free, the home of the brave and the greatest country on the face of this earth!

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