Posted on 03/27/2003 10:04:32 AM PST by Dan from Michigan
Rally set to support the U.S. troops
By Christopher Nagy
DAILY PRESS & ARGUS
The point of one side was made several weeks ago, and Livingston County residents will be able to express a counterpoint this weekend.
In the wake of a March 15 anti-war rally in Livingston County, a rally supporting the U.S. troops and the country's current actions in the Middle East is being held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the amphitheater of the historic Livingston County Courthouse in downtown Howell.
The hour-long event is being organized by Howell resident Wendy Day, who received a permit to use the courthouse grounds from the Ways and Means Committee of the Livingston County Board of Commissioners Monday night.
Day, whose husband is a reservist in the Michigan National Guard, said she decided to organize the event to give people supporting the U.S. efforts in Iraq a chance to voice their opinions.
"It's very disheartening to see a majority of attention being given to the anti-war rallies," Day said. "The polls clearly show that most Americans support what we're doing, but that's not what you see in the media.
"We want to make sure people in Livingston County have an opportunity to show their support for our troops," Day continued. "We want to make sure there's an opportunity for people to support our president, and to just celebrate being an American."
The event will include several speakers, music as well as prayers led by local pastors.
Wade Gillespie, minister for the Howell Church of Christ, will be in attendance at Saturday's rally to lead a prayer specifically for the safety and safe return of American soldiers who have been taken prisoner by the Iraqi military.
"This is obviously something that has been heavy on people's hearts," Gillespie said. "When you have something of this magnitude, you have to ask God daily to intervene for us."
Gillespie only recently returned to his local church, having been at a Christian conference in Oklahoma when the war began.
"It certainly put a subdued note on the conference," he said.
In addition to several local religious leaders, Livingston County's state officials have also confirmed they will be at the rally. Sen. Valde Garcia, R-Howell, and Reps. Joe Hune, R-Handy Township, and Chris Ward, R-Brighton Township, all plan on making an appearance at the event; however, there are no specific plans to have any of the elected officials speak at the rally.
"All the feedback I've heard about this has been positive," Day said. "People want an outlet. People want to have a voice. And people are mad about all the anti-war protests that have been going on. We want to support our troops, support the efforts of the president and support the liberation of Iraq."
Day added that she doesn't expect any clashes at Saturday's rally between residents supporting the nation's military efforts in Iraq and those who oppose it. The main focus of the event is supporting the troops, which is something everyone can agree upon, she said.
"If people are totally against the war, they can stay home and be quiet," Day said. "But if people are against the war, but still want to support the troops, they can come out and just support the troops. Period."
Day added that she had no idea how many residents would come out to join the rally.
"The more the merrier. Bring a sign. Bring a flag. Bring a friend," she said. "I'd love to have our support for the troops heard from Lansing to Detroit and everywhere in-between."
Bob Alexander, state facilitator of the Michigan Peace Network, said he was unaware of this weekend's rally. The Michigan Peace Network hosted a peace rally at the county courthouse March 15 that was counter-demonstrated by a handful of military veterans who came out to support the troops and the president.
Local facilitators for the Michigan Peace Network could not be reached for comment on a possible counter-demonstration.
INFO BOX
A rally supporting American troops and U.S. action in Iraq is being held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the historic Livingston County Courthouse in downtown Howell. The event is expected to last one hour and will include speakers, prayers and music.
We have the East Side and West Side(Grand Rapids) of the state covered now. The Grand Rapids Event is March 29, from 1 to 3 at the Calder Plaza.
Support our Troops T-Shirts $7.00, with $5.00 going to TN American Legion SUPPORT OUR TROOPS T-SHIRTS
These are nice Haynes T-shirts, they are not geared to any region or radio station. They ones they created for the Millington Rally had the WREC/KWAM logo on the back. These are plain on the back.
Please ping A Navy Vet, Bob J, and diotima. Thank you.
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