Posted on 03/23/2003 9:29:32 AM PST by UB355
Flag-waving Milwaukee crowd trumpets support for troops
By SCOTT WILLIAMS
swilliams@journalsentinel.com
Last Updated: March 22, 2003
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.
"I think they're right for fighting to protect us," she said.
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.
The rally was addressed by the Milwaukee County Executive and the Milwaukee County Sheriff, a variety of local and state politicians, veterans, and FReepers. This great rally in support of our troops and our President has changed the terms of engagement of the leftist media in socialist dominated Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin.
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