Posted on 03/25/2003 2:36:58 PM PST by fivetoes
Pro-war demonstrators wave flags, sing anthems in support of Iraq conflict
By Ryan Morgan Denver Post Staff Writer
Monday, March 24, 2003 - Several hundred pro-war demonstrators gathered on the Capitol steps Sunday afternoon to wave flags, sing patriotic anthems and endorse the military campaign in Iraq.
KHOW radio host Scott Redmond praised those who came for making a positive symbolic gesture of support, and said they stood in stark contrast to peace activists who have held disruptive anti-war protests.
"We are here to demonstrate the appropriate way to demonstrate," he said. "There is yet another voice out there, and that voice is for America."
The people gathered in front of the Capitol are not violent, but simply recognize reality, he said.
"We all pray for peace," he said. "But there are times when action is necessary, and this is one of those times."
He was cheered by protesters carrying dozens of pro-U.S. signs and deriding the anti-war movement. One read, "Liberate the Iraqi people." Another read, "Freedom is not free."
Anti-French sentiment also ran high, the result of that country's opposition to the war.
Redmond said he'd stopped buying Grey Goose, his favorite vodka, because it's bottled in France.
The rally was organized by a Colorado group called Americans Against Terrorism. Neil Dobro, head of the AAT, said inaction in the Middle East would have had far worse consequences than the military campaign.
"If you can stop evil, then God says to you, you must not stand idly by the blood of your neighbors," he said.
Jill Morrison from Faith Bible Chapel in Aurora urged the dozens of people carrying U.S. flags to wave them high.
"This flag stands for freedom, and never forget that this war is about freedom," she said. "When the French said 'no,' this flag said 'yes."'
On a more somber note, she added, "This flag will drape the coffins of the great men who have already paid the ultimate price."
Speakers also praised Australia and Great Britain for their support. Dobro displayed a plaque thanking Britain, and said it will be presented to representatives at the country's trade mission in downtown Denver.
Morrison said British Prime Minister Tony Blair "has had the guts to do what's right in the face of unavoidable opposition."
Allen Jones, one of the many people waving flags in the crowd, said this was the first political rally he's ever attended.
"I just got tired of seeing all the negativity," he said. "I wanted to show our military our support."
John Reiter, an insurance broker from Denver, said he came out to voice what he described as the real reasons for war.
"It's not about oil, and it's not about power," he said. "It's about liberating people from a terrorist and a horrible dictator."
Spirited crowd favors red, white and blue at pro-America rally
By James B. Meadow, Rocky Mountain News March 24, 2003
Under golden sunshine, a sea of red, white and blue shook and crested as a flag-waving, fist-thrusting, tear-crying crowd gathered at the Capitol on Sunday to demonstrate their fervent support of America's war in Iraq.
"We're here to support all the guys over there, to support America!" asserted Angela Johnson of Bennett, who carried a photo of her neighbor's Marine son.
But she was far from being the sole photo holder.
"I'm terrified and proud," said Terri Doell of Northglenn, holding a large sign that read in part, "I Love My Soldier."
Next to the words were photos of U.S. Army Sgt. Jason Doell, her son, who was in Kuwait and probably is somewhere in Iraq now.
"Too many of the antiwar protests are showing their opinions," said Doell. "Well, I wanna show mine."
Equally willing to wear her feelings on her sleeves was Cathi Schmidt, who attended with her 11- month-old daughter, Hayleigh.
"Proud wife of a U.S. Marine" was inscribed on her T-shirt. Schmidt, the spouse of Lance Cpl. Christopher Schmidt, said, "They're all our protectors - a lot of the protesters seem to forget that. And that makes me mad."
Schmidt said that "I get letters from him and he tells me how disheartening it is when the soldiers see protesters in this country. We need to be behind them all."
Hosting the event was Scott Redmond, talk show host on KHOW radio, who told the audience that "Antiwar protestors have a right to protest, but that doesn't mean they're right."
Cries of affirmation rose from the crowd, which organizers estimated at 2,400, although police put the number at less than half of that.
The exact number didn't matter to Neil Dobro, one of the founders of Americans Against Terrorism, the group sponsoring the rally.
"We want the people of Colorado to show their support for our troops and our president. We want the president to know he'll have all the support he needs to finish the job. We don't want a premature cease-fire until we've won and conquered terrorism."
Before the rally's 2:30 p.m. start on the west steps of the Capitol, there was almost a carnival air. Numerous signs held aloft created a bobbing tide of slogans that included: Remember 911?; Troops You Are Our Heroes; Self Defense is Always Just; Troops - America Sleeps On Your Watch; No More Insane Hussein; We Support the Greatest Fighting Forces in the World; We Will Not Tire, We Will Not Falter, We Will Not Fail; and Might Makes Right.
Andrew Mejia took photos of his two sign-holding sons, Antonio, 7, and Juan, 8, plus his niece and nephew, Tatyanna and Joseph Hutchins, 9 and 7 years old.
Their father, Mike Hutchins, said he was glad to be at the rally.
"This country is blessed by God, and I support our troops; I support our president," he said. "And I wanted to tell those people who don't support our troops that a lot of us do - and we're the majority."
At one point during the rally, Don Lucero emerged from the crowd to tell in a voice all but overcome with tears and emotion how his son, Cpl. Fernando Lucero of the 101st Airborne, had been in the tent next to one that was wracked by a hand grenade Saturday.
"It was Fernando's birthday yesterday," said Lucero. "Then three hours later, this happened. My son was right next to it when his captain died. He saw him."
State Treasurer Mike Coffman, a veteran of the 1991 Persian Gulf War, also took the stage.
"War protesters are sending out a dangerous message to the enemy about this country's resolve, and I would ask them to stop," he said.
Coffman's speech sparked an impromptu chorus of "USA! USA! USA!", one of several such outbursts during the 90-minute rally.
The crowd's cheers erupted louder when Cheryl Morrison of the Faith Bible Chapel announced to all, "I'm a God-fearing patriot just like you," and, "You did the right thing by coming out here."
After reading the names of the known war dead, Morrison held up the American flag and shouted, "This flag will not forget their sacrifice!"
The crowd cheered again, thrust their fists, shook their signs and waved their flags, a red-white-and- blue afternoon that, in the end, was wrapped in the black bunting of mourning.
If you attended the rally in Denver, please post your comments here.
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