Posted on 03/23/2003 5:39:16 PM PST by CyberAnt
Today, in San Diego, several groups came together to hold a Support the Troops Rally. The location was the North Gate of Marine Corp Air Station - Miramar (formerly the location of Top Gun).
The major event organizer was a group of Marine moms, called SOS (Support Our Soldiers); the other major supporter was Roger Hedgecock from KOGO 600 AM (and whom many of you know as a substitute for Rush Limbaugh). Roger started a program called "Operation Homefront". The program is to provide help and support for the families which are left behind after the troops deploy.
One church, Mission Valley Christian Fellowship, has donated over $50,000 in food coupons for the troopers' families. Everything is donated; including but not limited to car repair, babysitting, transportation, home repair and food - and Roger said he is continually overwhelmed at the love, support and generosity of San Diego residents.
Even though there were only 2 FReepers that I know of, we were stationed close to Roger's setup. When I arrived at 11:40 a.m., there were 3 groups of people of about 20-30 each. We were at the main intersection of a 6-lane road which runs alongside the base. The 3 groups were dispursed at each of 3 corners of the intersection.
But ... when I left about 2 p.m., the supporters numbered 3000+ (and this number was confirmed by KOGO's newsman) - and the supporters covered 2-3 blocks in each direction from the gate's entrance, and we were standing 2-3 deep along the street.
Enterprising businessmen were there with flags and tee-shirts to sell (some were free). I got a FREE SHIRT from ADVERTISING EDGE INC 1-800-258-9774. The shirt is a great Hanes Heavyweight - and it says, Support Our Troops - Land of the free ... Home of the brave. It's a great shirt. They had hundreds of them and just gave them all away. I thought that deserved a FREE plug!!
I have never seen so many happy, cheering, good looking people in my life. It was very uplifting to be standing with so many people who understand how great it is to be an American, and to have the most wonderful military in all the world. We would, at a moment's notice, begin the USA chant, and it would grow louder, and louder and louder, as all the people joined in.
And ... can you believe there were ONLY 2 POLICE cars for 3000+ people. The officers (4) seemed to be having as much fun as we were - they just strolled around smiling. I bet they were even more happy to be with us and not with the ANTI crowds in downtown San Diego.
The media coverage was massive (but primarily local). KSWB - Channel 5, KFMB - Channel 8 (CBS), KNSD - Channel 7/39 (NBC) - KOGO 600 AM. If there were others, like FOX 6 (local FOX station), or the other 2 big local stations, I didn't happen to see them. I'm so sorry I don't have pictures, but if you go to www.rogerhedgecock.com you should be able to see a few pictures. I'm sure Roger had people out there taking pictures for him. There was one cameraman using a tripod who setup his camera in the middle of the street - on the built-up center turn lane - and he took pictures of the whole scene - all up and down the street, but I don't know who he worked for.
When I left at 2 p.m., people were still showing up. I expect the rally lasted another couple of hours. Because Miramar Road is a 6-lane main street which goes between 2 major highways, we had an extreme amount of traffic. Everytime a huge truck would go by and use it's air horn, the crowd would go wild.
Many people decorated their cars with all sorts of flags, signs, and writing, and drove back and forth on the street to our shouts and cheers. One guy with an open jeep, took Roger up and down a couple of times to rally the supporters, just as I was leaving. There were people tooting their horns all the time, and we especially cheered those military personnel who were turning in to or out of the base gate.
After all the violence I have seen on the TV lately regarding the ANTI group, it was refreshing to be with a group where there weren't any ANTI people. Here we were, exercising our right to assemble, and we were all having so much fun. I met some of the nicest people.
One thing I noticed was how people were dressed. Nobody was dressed up (with the exception of a couple of guys), but people were nicely dressed. There were a lot of families with small children - all well dressed - no ragged clothes. To me, this is what real America looks like. There was every age, every nationality, every height, every weight, yet we were all there for one reason, to support our military.
THE BEST SIGN OF THE DAY:
Don't be a liberal pooper, Support an American Trooper
(this sign was to highlight the fact that the ANTI crowd in SF had pooped on the steps of govt offices in their downtown area)
ANOTHER GOOD SIGN:
Land of the free, Because of the Brave
After the tough day our troops have had in the war today, I was even more glad I had made the effort to get out there and let them know I supported them. Several people were taking videos to send direct to the troops.
Pictures from the Rally For America - Sacramento, CA. March 22nd, 2003
Whooo-raaah!!!
Stay Strong
Fuzzy
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