Posted on 04/20/2003 6:37:00 AM PDT by buffyt
ANGLETON — Gail Mizell may not be a major general, but she has two stars now.
Mizell was one of about 30 relatives of Brazoria County servicemen who received Blue Star Banners on Saturday at the Support the Troops Rally. The event was at American Legion Post 241.
The white banners with red borders, have a blue star for each family member on active duty, a tradition that dates back to World War I, said American Legion member Bill Scott.
“Our auxiliary handmade the blue-star banners,” Scott said. “They can hang them in the window of their home.”
Mizell’s two stars represented her sons, John Hogan with the 82nd Airborne and Todd Kieso with the 101st.
With the war winding down, Mizell said she’s resting better.
“Now the tension is easier,” she said. “It was pretty bad in the beginning.”
Mizell said she’s been glued to the television during the war, despite advice from friends to ignore the battlefield reports.
“They all say, ‘Stay away from CNN, Gail,’” Mizell said. “You just look all the time and think you’re going to see his face.”
This is the second war Mizell has waited out. Her son John was in the first Gulf War as well.
“It was worse this time,” she said. “Most of it the first time around was aerial.”
Mizell said she’s ready for them to find another line of work, though she doesn’t think that’s likely. She knows that paratroopers are always among the first involved.
“Both of them joined before any war broke out,” she said. “I knew if anything ever happened, they would be in it.”
The rally started with a flag-raising ceremony at 8 a.m. and continued through the banner ceremony, which started at 3 p.m.
John Jerabeck, Brazoria County’s veterans service officer, said about 1,000 people came through to get barbecue, let their kids play or just visit with friends. State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, read a proclamation the Texas House passed honoring the event. Angleton City Council and Brazoria County Commissioner’s Court also passed resolutions supporting the rally.
“It really makes you feel good,” Jerabeck said. “We want to tell them how much we appreciate them.”
At the end of the rally, Justice of the Peace Wayne Dubose asked the crowd to give a shout that could be heard by the troops in Iraq.
While the noise may not have carried that far, the rally got the attention of President George W. Bush.
Bush sent a letter, read by Scott, commending Angleton for the rally.
“I send greetings to those gathered for the Rally Around the Troops event in Angleton, Texas,” the president writes. “By answering the call of duty, our brave men and women in uniform, along with their families, serve as examples of courage, dedication and sacrifice. America is grateful for their selfless service.
“Laura and I join our military families and countless others in praying that all who serve return home safely and soon.”
In honor of our troops Michael and Melody Archie embrace during a presentation of service flags during the Support the Troops rally Saturday afternoon at the American Legion Hall Post #241 in Angleton. Melody Archie said the events of Sept. 11 made her realize what her country has done for us and what veterans have done for our country. "Each of the men and women over there are like one of my own," she said.
While the noise may not have carried that far, the rally got the attention of President George W. Bush.
Bush sent a letter, read by Scott, commending Angleton for the rally.
“I send greetings to those gathered for the Rally Around the Troops event in Angleton, Texas,” the president writes. “By answering the call of duty, our brave men and women in uniform, along with their families, serve as examples of courage, dedication and sacrifice. America is grateful for their selfless service.
“Laura and I join our military families and countless others in praying that all who serve return home safely and soon.”
For Bush, a day of positive signs - Easter services
with freed POWs, optimistic for Iraq's future
For Bush, a day of positive signs
After Easter services with freed POWs, he offers optimistic view of Syria, Iraq's future
04/21/2003
FORT HOOD, Texas – President Bush, offering an upbeat Easter assessment of Iraq's future, said Sunday that Syria was "beginning to get the message" not to harbor leaders of the deposed regime of Saddam Hussein.
"There's some positive signs," he said, noting that Secretary of State Colin Powell would be visiting Syria soon to continue the diplomatic full-court press.
After attending church services at Fort Hood with his family and two former prisoners of war, Mr. Bush said of the Syrian leaders, "I believe it when they say they want to cooperate."
He also offered an encouraging assessment of another world hot spot, saying the United States, China, Japan and South Korea had a "good chance" of persuading North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program.
In Baghdad, meanwhile, Army troops replaced Marines as the main forces that will continue to secure the capital and other parts of the country so that humanitarian efforts can proceed, rebuilding can begin and a new democratic government can evolve.
Mr. Bush went to the sprawling Army base from his ranch in nearby Crawford to attend Easter services at the 4th Infantry Division Memorial Chapel, along with the two Army helicopter pilots rescued a week ago in northern Iraq.
Both former prisoners of war, Chief Warrant Officers David Williams and Ronald Young Jr., joined him afterward at a news conference on the church lawn.
"This is definitely one of the highlights of my life, absolutely," Chief Warrant Officer Young said, wearing a desert-tan flight suit and combat boots.
Mr. Bush said he had thanked God for their safe return and prayed for peace.
"It was a glorious day," he said, calling the returned POWs "good, strong men."
The other five Americans freed in Iraq last week spent Easter with their families at Fort Bliss near El Paso or attended church services.
Asked if the two pilots at his side might speak as well, Mr. Bush told reporters, "Sure they can."
But he made clear, "That's up to them. They don't have to. I have to speak to the press. They don't have to. But it's not that bad an experience."
The two pilots were cautious and brief in their remarks.
"It's an absolute honor, sir, an absolute honor," Chief Warrant Officer Williams volunteered. And Chief Warrant Officer Young declared, "We stand a hundred percent behind whatever our president decides to do. We're honored to serve him."
Then Mr. Bush quickly took another question.
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