Cheers, speeches and a field of flags to support the troops

Times Union ^ | March 30, 2003 | Bruce A. Scruton

[NYer]

Clifton Park -- Thousands of people awash in a sea of red-white-and-blue flags, turned out Saturday at what was billed as "The Rally for the Troops."

Packed around the Veterans Monument in Clifton Commons, town administrator Mike Shahen said the crowd rivaled any Fourth of July celebration. State Police and the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office declined to give an official crowd estimate, but several officers said they believed about 5,000 attended.

While there were cheers for the politicians' speeches, the biggest yells went up for the mothers of the sailors, airmen, soldiers and Marines, who were asked to come to the stage.

For nearly 15 minutes, mothers gave their child's -- in some cases several children's -- names, to be greeted by cheers for each one. "U-ha" yelled some when a Marine's name was called out, while airborne soldiers' names got a slightly different, but equally enthusiastic response.

Perhaps the loudest cheer came after a momentary pause when one sobbing mother said: "My son's in special forces. I don't know where he is."

The hour-long rally was organized by Don Neddo of Halfmoon and promoted by several area radio stations, including one that hired a plane pulling a banner that said "Support our Troops."

The arriving crowd, which braved gusty winds and rain showers, overwhelmed the roads leading to the Commons, with the backup stretching nearly 3 miles. "It's still back to the Northway," said one state trooper about 12:30 p.m., a half-hour after the rally began. "We've got them parking everywhere."

In fact, town officials said they used all the available parking at the Commons, as well as opening up one field that was dry enough to drive on. Many people, seeing the traffic tie-up, were pulling into parking lots of businesses more than a mile away.

"I guess we were lucky," said Kevin Quinn. The Johnstown resident said he and his wife, Veronica, "came in the back way," so they didn't catch as much traffic as those coming from the Northway.

Coast Guard veteran Quinn said, "I feel the guys and women are putting their life on the line. The least we gotta do is support them."

That support came in a variety of ways. A car with Vermont license plates came to the rally, sporting a matte-finish, desert camouflage paint scheme and words stenciled military style.

A young girl rode on her dad's shoulders, face painted in the red-white-and-blue colors of the day. One man wore a World War I doughboy helmet while American Legion, VFW and Marine Corps League caps topped other heads.

Nearly everyone had an American flag of some size and there was a sprinkling of British Union Jacks. Steven Park of Round Lake, an Army veteran, said he went to Broadway Flags in Gansevoort to purchase the banner he was waving -- an Australian national flag.

"They got troops over there," he explained. "We need to support them, too."

Pat Wixson of Schodack, didn't get a chance to get on the stage during the mothers' roll call. Her son, Joseph Salway is a Marine with Fox Company, the Albany-based Reserve unit that ships out today.

She said her son was in the Marines for four years but, after being discharged, went back to the Reserve unit. "I'm feeling really proud," she said of the rally. "I'm taking lots of pictures to send to him. He and the others will really like them."

Off to the side of the main rally, and surrounded by a detail of troopers and Saratoga County sheriff's deputies, were a half-dozen anti-war protesters. While there were no physical confrontations, a couple of people yelled at the protesters for being there.

Asked what she would tell those speaking out against the war, Wixson said, "I don't want war. I'm sure everyone wants peace, but we are there so we gotta support our people over there."

In Saratoga Springs, about 100 war protesters faced off against an equal number in support of the troops near the city's post office, said police Sgt. Daniel Mullan.

[NYer]

Nearly everyone had an American flag of some size and there was a sprinkling of British Union Jacks. Steven Park of Round Lake, an Army veteran, said he went to Broadway Flags in Gansevoort to purchase the banner he was waving -- an Australian national flag.

"They got troops over there," he explained. "We need to support them, too."

What a turnout!!!

[NYer]

Clifton Park rally bump!

[EternalVigilance]

Hey, they can only ignore 80% of the American people for so long....

[Conservative Me]