Sheryl Greenlee, left, from Tampa, clutches an American flag while Wayne Greulich, from Sarasota, wraps himself in the colors during "The Rally for America," Saturday, April 5, 2003, at Coachman Park in Clearwater.
Conflict with Iraq: Gov. Bush speaks to 15,000 at 'Rally for America'
Sunday, April 6, 2003
By MITCH STACY, Associated Press
CLEARWATER — More than 15,000 people, many waving American flags and hand-lettered patriotic signs, packed a waterfront park Saturday morning to hear Gov. Jeb Bush and others offer encouraging words for the troops fighting in Iraq and their families.
The raucous "Rally for America" at sunny Coachman Park was the latest in a series of such gatherings around the country inspired by syndicated radio talk show host Glenn Beck, who was looking for a way to counter anti-war demonstrations.
Beck was there, but the loudest cheers were reserved for the governor, who called the fighting men and women "the next greatest generation."
"Each generation has its defining moments," said Bush, younger brother of the president. "This generation's legacy is being written now, on the seas and in sands of the Middle East. This is our fight, it is our time, and I know our soldiers and airmen are up to the challenge." The crowd cheered every mention of President Bush, and the governor said he planned to call his brother this weekend to tell him about the rally.
"He's holding up well," Gov. Bush said afterward. "I think he's determined. I know he feels the burden, but I do believe he's at peace."
Bush also recognized the four Floridians who've been killed in action in the conflict, and said he called each one of their families to offer comfort. He called it "the hardest thing I've ever done in my life."
Beck, heard on more than 100 stations around the country, told the crowd that the troops could "hear your voice and feel your strength."
"We are here for those people who are in the desert right now," he said. "They are fighting fights that our children won't have to fight later."
Joan McCaffery of New Port Richey stood among the crowd hoisting a sign pasted with photos of her son, 21-year-old Marine Cpl. Matthew McCaffery. He's fighting in Iraq, and she hasn't heard from him in about three weeks.
"It's for them, so they know we're standing behind them," she said. "There's been too little support in the past, and they just need to know that we stand behind them, we love them, we care about them and we want them to come home safe.
"I miss him. I just can't wait till he comes home." Kara Walters, 27, of Tampa came with 11 members of her family. Her brother, Wade, is in the Army and is being deployed to Iraq soon.
"We have to support the troops. This is not another Vietnam," she said. "Whether you're for the war or against the war, you've got to be here. It's happening. You can't change it."
In Orlando Saturday, Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings and Secretary of State Glenda Hood met with family members of deployed National Guardsmen in a show of support for Operation Home Fires. The faith-based community program helps soldiers' families by providing gift certificates for groceries, teddy bears for children and emotional counseling.
Also in central Florida, a small anti-war rally was held without any signs of the conflict that marred a recent event.
When members of PeaceOrlando met at a downtown intersection on March 29 to holds signs criticizing the war and President Bush, a convoy of motorcyclists egged on by a local talk-radio host responded with deafening engines. There also were accusations that the motorcyclists threw rocks.
Saturday's rally of about 40 people was peaceful, with anti-war protesters even sharing the same street corner with those supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. "A lot of people somehow can't separate patriotism with demonstrating against the war," said Carl Carlander, a 63-year-old former Marine who opposes military action. "They think if you're out here, you're anti-American, pro-Saddam. That's not the case."