What a GREAT Rally!! - Indiana, PA

sneakers

[sneakers]

Indiana County's Rally to Support the Troops was today at 2:30. It was emcee'd by J.D. Varner - who has one of those compelling deep voices that brings such drama to an occasion. The singing of our National Anthem, "On Eagles Wings", and "God Bless America was sung by Julianne Laird. We had a reading of "They've Got Your Back", read by a child of a soldier, a wife of a soldier, a mother of a soldier, and a soldier; it brought tears to the eyes! There was a roving mike where J.D went through the audience and anybody with a family member or friend could give their name, rank and where they are located. One mom said her son rode a bomb into Baghdad! Another said she saw her son on FoxNews in one of Saddam's palaces - needless to say there was lots of cheers!

There were a few anti-war protesters - college students -across the street, but they quieted down pretty fast when some of the guys who were veterans strolled over and kinda "surrounded them"? (This is heresay - I didn't see it myself) There were many tears, lots of flag-waving and prayers! Indiana County has many serving in Iraq, and a large group of them are in the 101st airborne. I don't have numbers yet - It was quite a large crowd - for Indiana County that is!, and I have no pictures because I couldn't locate the camera and I was running late, but quite a few people brought pictures of their loved ones which we have already posted in the courthouse.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

There were many tears, lots of flag-waving and prayers! Indiana County has many serving in Iraq, and a large group of them are in the 101st airborne.

Great report, sneakers. Thank you for sharing it with us. It matters a lot to the troops.

[Support Free Republic]

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[Willie Green]

Hooray for Indiana, Pa.!
Birthplace and hometown of Jimmy Stewart:

He was the first Hollywood star to enter the service for World War II, joining in 1940. He was initially refused entry into the Air Force because he weighed 5 pounds less than the required 148 pounds, but he talked the recruitment officer into admitting him. He eventually became a Colonel, and earned the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Croix de Guerre and 7 battle stars. In 1959, serving in the Air Force Reserve, he became a brigadier general, the highest ranking entertainer in the U.S. military.

[sneakers]

Thanks Willie Green! Yes, we in Indiana are proud of our home town boy! His statue is right out front of our courthouse:
http://www.jimmy.org/museum/

The courthouse (where I work) is to the right of the statue off-camera.

[pubmom]

I was there, standing to the right of good ole Jimmy. The rally was fantastic and well attended!

When JD was going through the crowd to give the microphone to those whose loved ones are serving, I had tears. I'm glad I kept my sunglasses on.

[sneakers]

Well darn! Wish I could have met you! I did have a freeper sign-in form with a half-wish that some freepers came. I did wonder if you were there! I was the one who introduced JD at the beginning.

[pubmom]

I wish I could have met you too, darn!

[deadhead]

Way to go Indiana, PA. Patriots! Thanks for the great report and thank you to all those who attended.

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[Badray]

Rally bump

[mountaineer]

Glad to hear you had a successful rally!

[Otta B Sleepin]

What an inspiring report!

Indiana, PA will always be near and dear to my heart. I attended IUP for my freshman year of college and loved living there.

[AGreatPer]

Sounds like it was a great ralley. Good for you. Go Indiana, PA.

[Brad’s Gramma]

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