A crowd gathered for a rally at Mashpee Commons sings "God Bless America" in support of American troops in Iraq. About 1,500 people turned out for the event (Staff photo by STEVE HEASLIP)
Posted on 03/30/2003 9:02:25 PM PST by JulieRNR21
Rally draws 1,500 to back U.S. troops
By SEAN GONSALVES STAFF WRITER
MASHPEE -In the shadow of the Massachusetts Military Reservation, a crowd of about 1,500 gathered yesterday in a Mashpee Commons parking lot to declare their support for U.S. troops fighting in Iraq.
And to send a message to those who publicly protest the war.
"I'm just here with the family to show support for the troops," said Bourne Fire Chief and former Marine Charlie Klueber as he and his family, flags in hand, walked from their car toward the rally stage.
"I'm tired of the antiwar protests. They do have their right, but it's good to come out and show support," Klueber said.
While military action in Iraq has spurred dozens of antiwar protests nationwide and across the Cape, yesterday's event was the largest local pro-troop rally since fighting began March 19. More anti-war protests occurred yesterday, including one in Boston.
The local "Support Our Troops" rally brought supporters from as far away as New Hampshire and Maine.
Many brought flags and wore "Support Our Troops" T-shirts. Other carried signs. One read: "God bless our president." Another read: "Freedom is worth fighting for."
Wearing a black beret and patch-covered black jacket, Robert Thibedore, president of the New Hampshire Chapter of Rolling Thunder, a national POW/MIA activist group, drove 160 miles from his home to the Cape before the rally yesterday morning.
"This is for supporting troops, so we're here," he said between sips of coffee. "This is good. It puts a positive note in everyone's eyes and it lets the troops know they won't be forgotten."
Larry Wheatley of Cotuit was one of the event's organizers. An attorney who ran for state representative from the 3rd Barnstable District, he served in the Coast Guard during the Vietnam War. Barnstable County Sheriff and Navy veteran James Cummings was the emcee.
After a 21-gun salute by members of the Korean War Veterans Association and the singing of the national anthem sung by State Police Sgt. Dan Clark, the rally audience heard from retired Navy Capt. Tom Hudner and Marine Sgt. Maj. Kip Carpenter.
"We are here this morning to demonstrate our support for the troops in spite of criticism, holdups and casualties," Hudner said. "We are doing well in the Gulf."
The latest reports yesterday from U.S. Central Command showed 26 American soldiers had been killed in the fighting so far, including four who died when a suicide bomber blew up a taxi he was driving at a checkpoint outside the Iraqi city of Najaf.
A Medal of Honor recipient for his service in the Korean War, Hudner reminded those in attendance that "every single man and woman out there are volunteers."
"America has no imperialistic ambitions." The war, he said, "is to give Iraq the opportunity for self-rule. It's not about oil. ... It's about terrorism and freedom from fear."
"Why go after terrorism?" he asked. Because, he said, of terrorism going back to the attacks on U.S. Marines in Lebanon 1983 and the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
"We did nothing. Arab cultures despise weakness. Our president has taken action to strike back," he said, to resounding applause.
Carpenter injected a little humor with a joke about which branch of the armed services was the best, ending with a punch-line where St. Peter reads a message from God to vets at the pearly gates.
"The law above says: All vets go to heaven because you've served your time in hell," Carpenter said. "All of the services are equally good ... signed God, USMC."
Carpenter went on to address the question of whether the war was right or wrong. "I don't care," he said, equating the job of a soldier with that of a firefighter who, when faced with a burning building, isn't concerned about opinions regarding whether the fire should be extinguished.
"I'm going to put that fire out. It's too late for opinions. ... I'm an American fighting man. I am a professional and I have taken an oath to protect our country and our way of life," he said.
He concluded his speech by praising the spouses of soldiers as heroes, which he defined as "ordinary people who do extraordinary things."
Between speakers, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council President Glenn Marshall shared his reasons for attending the rally.
"I'm here to support all the troops, regardless of whether you are for the war. You always support the troops," said Marshall, who served with the U.S. Special Forces in Vietnam from 1968 t0 1970.
"I've tasted the venom of peace activists' anger, and even though I'm against this war, I support the troops," he said.
At the conclusion of the rally, Cummings thanked everyone for coming out and offered a wish for the day that drew laughter and applause.
"The rain held off here in the Mashpee Commons, but I hope it's raining like hell on the Boston Commons," he said, referring to yesterday's peace rally in Boston.
Some rally attendees headed for their cars as chants of "U-S-A," and Marine calls of "Hoo-ah" could be heard.
Matt and Pam Kanan of Everett, whose daughter is an Air Force staff sergeant serving in Turkey, said the rally was a tremendous boost to their spirits.
"My daughter, Amy, bought us this camera. She's going to get some pictures e-mailed to her. When she gets it she will be overwhelmed. All she sees are the antiwar protests. She and her fellow troops will enjoy this tremendously," Matt Kanan said.
Elsewhere yesterday, thousands in Canada and the United States also rallied in support of the war.
About 4,000 Canadians marched in front of the Parliament building in Ottawa, waving flags of the U.S. and allies Britain and Australia.
Up to 12,000 flag-waving war supporters packed the steps of the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg.
In Miami, thousands of Cuban exiles and others marched to support the military.
In Willimantic, Conn., a rally to support U.S. troops in Iraq drew more than 300 people.
In Laconia, N.H., nearly 500 people crowded Veteran's Square for a demonstration in support of the U.S.-led war.
Associated Press material was used in this story.
A crowd gathered for a rally at Mashpee Commons sings "God Bless America" in support of American troops in Iraq. About 1,500 people turned out for the event (Staff photo by STEVE HEASLIP)
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