Posted on 03/27/2003 5:51:55 PM PST by TheEaglehasLanded
Efforts to back troops organized Rally planned Saturday afternoon at Old State Capitol
By JOHN REYNOLDS STAFF WRITER
As American troops fight their way toward Baghdad, local residents are gearing up to show their support for the nation's soldiers, sailors and airmen.
A weekend rally in downtown Springfield is among the events planned.
The rally, which is being organized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Northenders Post 10302 and WMAY radio, is set for about 1 p.m. Saturday at the Old State Capitol. Attendees are encouraged to bring signs and banners.
"This is not pro or anti anything. It is to support our troops," said John Russo, commander of the VFW Northenders Post.
Organizers say the rally will take place rain or shine. Plans are being made to have speakers from both the Illinois Army National Guard and Springfield's 183rd Fighter Wing.
Also invited is Harold Fritz of Peoria, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and Medal of Honor recipient for heroism in Vietnam.
Fritz said Wednesday that he hopes to be able to attend Saturday's rally.
"I think it makes quite a difference in the terms of their morale," he said of the soldiers.
Even though technology has changed over the years, Fritz said the dedication of the nation's fighting men and women hasn't changed.
"The same intensity, the same dedication, the same sacrifice and valor are there. I really feel strongly about that," Fritz said. "It's certainly something that America should be proud of, because the young men and women are over there and they know that they might have to pay the supreme price."
While Russo said there is no way to guess how many people might show up for the rally, there is plenty of evidence that Springfield residents are behind the troops.
Louise Bringuet, one of the owners of Ace Sign Co., 402 N. Fourth St., said that for the past week, the company has been making 22-by-28-inch blue-and-white “Support Our Troops” yard signs. The signs are so popular, she said, Ace is having a hard time keeping them in stock.
“We can’t get the paint to dry fast enough,” Bringuet said.
Ace initially made the signs as a special order of 75 for a local woman in the National Guard who wanted to give them to other Guard members. A few extra signs were made and quickly sold out. Since then, Ace has made about 1,000 of the signs, charging $5 each, Bringuet said.
Veterans and volunteers are gathering at the Northenders VFW Post today to write letters of support to military personnel. The letters will accompany several thousand prepaid calling cards delivered overseas via the VFW’s Operation Uplink program.
Also, SBC Communications Inc. is providing a $250,000 donation to the VFW’s Operation Uplink to honor military personnel everywhere, including the 250 reservists employed by SBC who have been called to active duty.
Anyone interested in writing letters to be included with the uplink cards can stop by the Northenders hall, 2349 Stockyard Road, at about 10 a.m.
Meanwhile, Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, herself a military mom, is sponsoring “Illinois and the USO Treasures our Troops,” a cooperative fund-raising effort with the United Service Organizations of Illinois, the state branch of the 62-year-old not-for-profit agency that provides assistance to service members and their families.
A portion of the funds will be used to purchase “morale kits” containing personal amenities for troops headed overseas. The rest of the donations will assist military families here in Illinois.
Topinka’s son, Army Maj. Joseph Baar Topinka, who serves as legal officer, has yet to be deployed.
“To be in the family of a soldier, I think, can cause a great deal of anxiety,” said Topinka, the state’s top Republican. “I know I have it, and my son is not at the front.”
Topinka compared donating to the USO to an old-fashioned helping of hospitality.
“Sometimes it’s just a matter of being friendly and getting that old casserole out in a neighborly type fashion, because families are hurting,” she said.
The treasurer was flanked by Illinois Adjutant Gen. David Harris at Wednesday’s Statehouse news conference. He said Illinois reserve officers called to active duty have been commissioned for deployments of up to 365 days. Most Illinois units called up have already been sent out, but one or two could soon be deployed.
Contributions to the USO can be made via credit card at www.uso.org or by calling the USO directly at (312) 923-7070. Checks should be made payable to Illinois and the USO Treasures Our Troops Fund and mailed to USO at Navy Pier, Chicago, IL 60611.
Pat Guinane of the State Capitol Bureau contributed to this report. John Reynolds can be reached at 788-1524 or john.reynolds@sj-r.com.
But most people in Springfield either were against them or didn't think the city council had any business in it one way or another. The city council killed any possible debate on it by a 7-3 vote.
Please ping A Navy Vet, Bob J, and diotima. Thank you.
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