Posted on 03/26/2003 3:50:04 PM PST by GailA
An estimated 7,500 Americans Rally in support of troops draws massive crowd, eyes of nation
03/26/03 Eric Einhart
The overwhelming crowds and massive gridlock did not seem to deter local patriots Saturday morning, as miles of bumper-to-bumper traffic lined Highway 51 in Millington for the “Stand Up For America, Support Our Troops Rally” in USA Stadium.
Approximately 7,500 residents from throughout Millington and the Mid-South area, dressed in red, white and blue attire and sporting yellow ribbons, waved flags, signs and photographs of troops fighting in the war against Iraq and chanted “USA, USA!” to show their support for the approximately 250,000 U.S. troops serving in the Persian Gulf region. Countless participants from the Vietnam Vets also were present at the rally, stopping traffic on Highway 51 to make way for their long line of Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Harry Crawford, American Legion Millington Post 252 commander, said the event, which originated as an idea from Millington resident Gail Keasling, was organized by Post 252. It featured guest speakers from World War II, the Korean War, the War in Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War, a disabled veteran and radio personality Mike Fleming as the master of ceremonies speaker.
“It was terrific,” Crawford said. “We had everyone out there supporting our troops and showing how much they love this country. Everyone involved did a great job in helping out and volunteering their time and services for our troops. We were real proud of the way everything turned out.”
He said the event, which was delayed about 30 minutes after its scheduled noon start to allow the traffic jam of those still arriving to clear, helped raise funds to support the family members of the troops through the Family Crisis Network. T-shirts, ribbons, American Flags and tapes of the rally are available through the cable channel. For a nominal fee, Crawford said, Blue Star Banners are also available to anyone who has a family member or friend serving in the war. “At first, we figured about 5,000 would come to this thing,” Crawford said. “We never thought it would be this big. It was a great success.”
Millington police officers were also present at the rally in case of any possible violent opposition by protesters. “We’re just out here for crowd control,” Sgt. Charlie Coleman said, “to make sure no one gets hurt. But from the looks of this crowd, I don’t think there will be any problems with any protesters or anything like that.”
USA Stadium Director, John Daigle, said the rally, which delayed a previously scheduled Millington Central High School Trojans Baseball game about two hours, was the largest non-sporting event ever held inside the stadium. Noting a brief broadcast on CNN and an article in The New York Times, as well as other publications, he said the rally received national recognition.
“It wasn’t as difficult as it could have been,” Daigle said. “Everyone was very positive about everything. Even people who waited in traffic to get here didn’t complain. They were all just here to support the troops and America.”
Although the stadium can be rented for commercial use for a nominal fee, Daigle said Stadium Owner W. S. “Babe” Howard did not charge the American Legion for its use. He also said the stadium would be available for any organization to hold a homecoming rally when troops return from the war.
A calming sense of silence subdued the crowd as many participants and veterans had tears in their eyes while America The Beautiful was played from Gordon Abernathy’s bagpipes and the MCHS Jr. ROTC Color Guard presented the American Flag.
Keynote Speaker Col. Antonio Lopez (ret.) of Covington told the crowd of his experiences as a Vietnam veteran returning to the U.S. after spending time fighting in the war.
“I thank God for freedom today,” Lopez said. “Freedom isn’t free. And we support our troops.”
For more information concerning purchasing the Blue Star Banner, call Crawford at 872-2509.
Waving flags more effective than protesting
03/26/03 Eric Einhart Respond to this story Email this story to a friend
A calming breeze blew across the baseball field into a sea of patriots dressed in red, white and blue, while the sunlight seemed to shine with the specific intention of creating the perfect weather conditions. Outside USA Stadium, a seemingly endless line of cars, motorcycles and residents on foot paraded Saturday afternoon into the parking lot to participate in the “Stand Up for America, Support Our Troops Rally.”
It was an awe-inspiring sight. Veterans, volunteers and residents with babies sitting atop their shoulders waved flags, held signs of encouragement and displayed photographs of military personnel serving in the Persian Gulf region to show support for what they know in their hearts to be true, to be right and to be American.
There were no signs of disagreement or violent opposition. There were no protesters, dressed in outlandish costumes, voicing their views of peace or dissatisfaction with U.S. government decisions.
Instead, there was an overwhelming sense of pride and prayers for our troops fighting overseas. The bleachers were charged with unforgettable, thunderous bursts of nationalism, as participants chanted “USA, USA!” from the depths of their souls. In an age of petty dispute and social sensationalism, the rally helped all who attended remember what it feels like to be united.
After fighting the traffic to exit the stadium parking lot, I went home later that evening, only to watch the news about anti-war protesters dressed up in various costumes, holding colorful signs to express their opposition to the current situation in Iraq. The signs displayed a sense of discontent with President George W. Bush’s policies and suggested that the war was nothing more than a violent ploy to gain an inexpensive oil trade.
Although these protesters have every right as American citizens to oppose this war and express their thoughts and views, I think it is almost pointless to do so at this stage in the game. We are at war. The president and military officials have made up their minds and are not going to stop focusing all their best efforts toward ending a dictatorial regime that represents an extreme threat to all the free world. So, put away your costumes, bullhorns and anti-war signs. It’s not going to happen.
Instead of protesters spending their time opposing the war, I have a better idea. Why not pick up an American Flag or yellow ribbon and support the brave men and women who fight for the rights we all sometimes take for granted? I find it disturbing and ironic that the rights our troops are fighting and dying for in this war are the same ones protesters are exercising to oppose their efforts. We should support our troops, no matter what our feelings on the war might be.
Last week, Julie Simonson, a Millington resident and ex-soldier, called and asked for help in cheering up our troops overseas. After receiving a letter from her daughter Janna Escude, who is currently serving in the Persian Gulf region, she called to see if there was some way The Millington Star could inform the community about sending letters to our troops.
She said the letters, which do not have to be specifically addressed to anyone — just “Dear Soldier” will do — will undoubtedly cheer up all who receive one. As a former member of the military, she said letters and words of encouragement from home often remain in the minds of troops, helping them cope with the difficulties of being deployed so far away from everything and everyone they know and love.
Although no one knows exactly when the war will end, she said it will take the letters about two weeks’ travel time to get to their destinations. I implore all residents to show their support and take a few minutes today to write a letter of encouragement to these brave men and women. The words that will take us moments to put down on paper might live forever in the heart of another.
To write to soldiers in Escude’s company, send letters to 101st MP company, Unit# 96169 APO AE 09325 — 6169.
— Contact Eric Einhart at einhartej@yahoo.com or call 872-2286.
American Legion thanks community for successful rally
03/26/03
Dear Editor:
The American Legion Millington Post 252 would like to thank all the patriotic people who came out to USA Stadium Saturday to support our troops.
We would like to especially thank all the volunteers who helped out, such as the Millington Central High School Jr. ROTC Color Guard, the Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, all the guest speakers, Gordon Abernathy and his wife, Gail and Dennis Keasling and Jo Bouder.
We would also like to express a great deal of appreciation to WREC 600 News Radio, Bob Kizer from Channel 11 for taping the rally, Carolyn Mathis for providing sign language, The Neighborhood Business Center, Tennant Printing and Dutch Printing for supplying copies of the flyers for the rally and The Millington Star for their help promoting the event. Tapes of the rally are available from community television for a nominal fee. (CTV 901-873-1622)
Post 252 would also like to invite everyone in the community to support our troops by donating various items, such as board games, playing cards, pens, spiral notebooks and other household appliances that will help our troops pass time in between combat.
Post Commander Harry Crawford Millington, TN
More PHOTOS
That's why I've been posting sets of photographs of rallies, along with commentary, on (ahem) my website. People can see there what it's like, what they've missed -- and what the press is not reporting to them. (I'm hoping to add a couple of "new" technologies to this coming Saturday's report from "Outpost 122" -- Camp Murray, exit 122 on I-5 in Washington State -- give the public even more an idea what the rally is like.)
The Internet is a way past the roadblocks of ignorance and disinformation the lyin' left media throw in front of the public. But we need to use it more.
Great!!! Please persuade people to attend with digital cameras in hand to photograph these events and publish and comment on the Internet so the rest of us can see them! (In my previous remark I unabashedly gave a link to my site http://eala.freeservers.com as an example.)
In 1957 Canada became our chosen country, today I feel cornered, I want to get out.
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