Posted on 05/25/2003 12:32:28 PM PDT by YoungKentuckyConservative
By JEAN TARBETT - The Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON -- Kyle Smithson couldn’t say the words.
"Just because," he said with tears in his eyes, summing up the reason he drove from Cincinnati to Huntington, painted USMC on his forehead for "United States Marine Corps" and carted flags and signs into Marshall University Stadium Saturday.
When the former Marine found his voice, he managed an explanation: "To thank the ones who have come home and the ones who didn’t come home and to thank the families of both."
Smithson did not send that message alone. An estimated 20,000 to 25,000 patriots found their way to Huntington on Saturday from various parts of the country for the Rally for America. Philadelphia-based radio talk show host Glenn Beck hosted the event as the finale to his series of rallies throughout what he calls the "real America."
They came in caravans, on buses and planes, from as far east as New Hampshire and as far west as California. The sea of green usually sweeping the home side of the stadium on Saturday was replaced by red, white and blue.
Cheering in support of their nation, president and troops, participants wore stars and stripes on T-shirts, high-tops, sun visors and even pajama pants. Children sat atop their parents’ shoulders, waving American flags in a warm breeze under a blue sky.
That sky filled with white doves, released early in the program representing freedom, and later with red, white and blue balloons, released in the final bars of Lee Greenwood’s "God Bless the USA."
"It was beautiful," said Valerie Gilbert of Charleston. "It was like family -- everybody on the same page and supporting the same thing. It’s something I hope they have more of so I can raise my daughter to know how many people support America."
Greenwood, country musician Tracy Byrd and New York City police officer Daniel Rodriguez were among those who performed, and President George W. Bush spoke in a taped message.
Bush welcomed troops home, thanked military for their professionalism and patriotism and pledged to maintain his support for the military and commitment to improving the quality of life for Americans.
To witness such support is powerful, said Maj. Bill Suver of the 2nd/19th Special Forces out of Kenova, one of several veterans and current military in attendance.
"You go overseas, and you’re over there by yourself so long, the distance makes you feel alone," the Ironton, Ohio, resident said. "This lets you know you’re not."
Indeed they are not, said Beck, who urged Americans to
Beck drove in a caravan from Oklahoma, stopping in several major cities along the way. He talked about a man who stood along an Interstate in the rain, saluting and holding a sign that read, "Welcome Rally for America" and a woman in Fort Wayne, Ind., who wouldn’t accept a dime when Beck herded about 300 rally-goers into her roller rink.
He also talked about the impact military supporters make when they show up in force.
"These are the forces that will change the face of the world," Beck said. "These are the real special forces. These are the forces of the real America."
Beck asked his listeners to send $1 to fund a final rally in the home state of former prisoner of war Pfc. Jessica Lynch. They needed $250,000, and got $450,000, he said. The extra money was donated to the United Services Organization.
While Lynch, a native of Palestine, W.Va., continues her recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., her sister, Brandi, and cousins Pam Nicolais and Janice Smith represented the family at the rally.
"Jessi is a fighter. I think we all know that," Nicolais told the crowd.
The family is eager to see their loved one completely recover, she said. "It’s going to be a long road, but we’re counting the days," she said.
Cheers rang out.
Later, "Taps" was played while a large television screen scrolled down the names of the soldiers who died in Operation Iraqi Freedom. To be there to show their appreciation, some rally-goers had made small sacrifices themselves.
Brian Kelly, 28, of Cleveland, had tickets for the Indianapolis 500 this weekend.
"But I served in the Army and my whole family is patriotic," he said, interrupting his statement to watch an Air Force T-38 trainer jet make two passes over the stadium. "I just had to be here. I needed to be here, because I’m an American and I love my country."
Rita Reed road a bus from Fort Wayne, Ind., to represent what she called the silent majority, the people who "go to work and do what we have to do," she said. "We don’t grouse about things. We get it done."
Just like the men and women in uniform, she said.
Americans are fortunate that the United States has a leader and defenders who are willing to take a stand, said Jimbo Boyd, a Huntington resident and former Marine.
"Sept. 11 taught us that we can no longer be complacent and sitting on our laurels," Boyd said. "I’m glad we have someone in place who makes sure our country comes first, domestically and internationally."
Herald-Dispatch reporter Bob Withers contributed to this report.
I'm in Huntington. I asked, nobody wanted to go with me, so I stayed home. I'm tired of being a second-rate freeper.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.