Posted on 03/30/2003 6:19:51 PM PST by Badray
Wow! What a day.
Let me start by saying that the temperature 2 days ago was 70 degrees with not a cloud in the sky. The forecast called for 40 degrees, with sunny skies. It was not to be. The temp when I arrived at the site was in the low thirties with heavy cloud cover, brisk winds and with the promise (threat) of snow. At times, and only briefly, it neared white out conditions and the wind never let up. It cut right through you and apparently many people did not watch the weather report and were not dressed for what we faced. But that didn't stop a determined crowd from pouring into the Municipal Center parking lot for the next two hours. There was a constant stream of cars lined up to park. The local men in blue - The Cranberry Township Police did an outstanding job of getting people off the roads and into the our lot and that of the church next door. Both lots (huge one) eventually were filled to capacity and people started to park along the road and walked to the rally.
Everywhere you looked was Old Glory and plenty of people with signs to show their support for our guys and gals in uniform. Some had pictures of family members stationed in the war zone. And many more came simply because our bigger family - The Great American Family, our collective fathers, sons, daughters and mothers, brothers and sisters were in harm's way - and wanted them to know that AMERICA DOES SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AND THE LIBERATION OF IRAQ!
I watched two TV news reports this evening, something that I rarely do, but I wanted to see how they covered the rally. Both stations started off with "250 peace protestors took to the streets to object to the war." Two minutes into the coverage they included the fact that protesters did not have a permit to march and when they obstructed traffic the police used pepper stray to move them off the streets and many were arrested.
Well, no one got arrested at our rallies and there was no blood or violence so our coverage lasted only 30 - 45 seconds and was reported as "hundreds" showed up for what was called a Rally for America".
It was hundreds. FIFTEEN HUNDREDS, that is. Yep, little Cranberry Township drew 1500 people who braved the bitter chill and March wind for 2 1/2 to 3 hours and wave the flag. Move along folks, nothing to see here.
This rally was organized by one young lady who 1] has no family serving in the military, 2] is a mother of a toddler, and 3] has never done anything like this in her life. In her words, "I had to do something." And she did.
Today was a testament to what ONE PERSON can do. Never let anyone tell you that one person doesn't matter. Colleen had an idea, put it into action, asked for some help in getting out the word (that's where I came in - I know. You are all tired of my posts and ping, aren't you?) and 1500 people showed up with flags, signs, kids, AND gifts for the troops. These wonderful and generous people brought enough (badly needed) personal hygiene items to fill the bed of a pickup truck to overflowing. This items will be going out in the coming days and weeks. Also, drop-off locations are being set up for those who didn't know to bring things today.
Colleen asked the local Cranberry Twp VFW Post #879 if they wanted to be involved. They sure did and along with the Ohio Valley Marine Corps League (#882) provided the Colors and a Rifle Salute.
In a crowd not offended by the mention of God, Pastor Gail Davis of the Faith Full Gospel Church did the Invocation. At the end, Pastor Christina Ferris of the Evangelical Christian Church said the closing prayer.
Colleen asked the local Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts if they wanted to be included. They led the enthusiastic crowd in the Pledge of Allegience. I seem to recall hearing "UNDER GOD" reverberate off the building. Hmmm? What kind of people were these?
Laurie Orth led the singing (beautifully) of the Star Spangled Banner. Then it was on to the races. Or in this case the speakers. (Here, I need the help of others who attended as I was busy selling frozen donuts and explaining why we had orange drink and not hot coffee and I didn't really hear many of the speakers.) But what I did hear was the thunderous roar of an approving crowd with every speaker.
First among the speakers was Nikki Mendicino. At 14 years old, she is an "old timer" when it comes to veteran affairs. She is nationally recognized for her efforts. I just met Nikki today for the first time and was duly impressed. Go to here web site www.NikkiUSA.com and see what I mean. Coincidentally, Nikki became a FReeper in December 2002.
A particularly moving display was provided by Rolling Thunder (PA Chapter 4) called the Remembrance Table. It is an elegantly set dinner table with the cap bearing the insignia of each of the service branches and represents those men who never returned home from their service.
I read the names of those known to have lost their lives so far in the Iraqi theater. This was followed by Taps and the remaining (and now frozen) crowd singing God Bless America.
All in all, it was an incredible day. Sorry I took so long to post this and sorry that I ran on so long, but there was just so many great things happening today and so many wonderful people.
I hope someone responds to the TV coverage of the two rallies -- maybe by a "letter to the editor." This biased reporting should not go unchallenged!
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