Oklahoma City Rally for America

3-03-03 | yukong

[yukong]

Just wanted to let everyone know that this evening, approximately 6000 great Oklahomans, young and old, gathered at 50 Penn Place for a Rally for America to show support to our president and our troops. It lasted for over an hour and a half. It was fantastic. I was so proud of my fellow Oklahomans. And the local ABC affiliate was present, taping greetings to service men and women, from anyone who wanted to speak. They will be sending those tapes to our military. Also, there was a huge postcard, that was massive, and everyone signed the postcard, put inspirational messages on the card, and prayers of support. I took about 60 pictures, and as soon as I can, I will post a few if anyone is interested.

God Bless American, our President and our troops!

[2Jedismom]

Allow me to ping a few Okies!

[Seeking the truth]

Post those pics!

[Brett66]

BTTT! I drove by 50 Penn Place on the way to work. Maybe I should have called in sick to work. :(

[motherlydia]

I was there too and it was great! Congressman Istook was fabulous and of course our governor proved he was a real weenie.

[2Jedismom]

Henry showed up??

He blew the Tulsa rally off.

[Slyfox]

[Tax-chick]

Congratulations, OKC! (We could have had 6,000 in Tulsa if we'd had today's weather :-)

I think we've made it clear where the Sooner State stands: with our President, with our troops!

[2Jedismom]

I think it's an awesome turnout!

[TXBubba]

My parents were telling me the OKC ralley was today. Just called to tell them the link was on it's way. They said the rally was on the radio and the listened to it. Great job Oklahoma..land of my birth. :D

[VOA]

just a ping in case y'all haven't seen this thread yet....

[sandlady]

Fantastic!!! BUMP

[Republic]

And GOD BLESS YOU! Kudos!! And Eagles way up there for Oklahoma!

[yukong]

Yes our governor was a weenie. For those that don't know, he is a democrat. He kept talking about supporting our troops, and praying for our troops, but he wouldn't mention our President, and the support and prayers he needs. At one point, some of us began chanting, Bush, Bush, Bush.... Well, he then went another way with his talk. He then toward the end of his message, said again how we should pray for and support our troops. Again, he left out President Bush. So, then, the entire crowd began chanting Bush, Bush, Bush.... and it went on for I would say 45-60 seconds. So, he finally signaled defeat, and said, to pray for and support our President. He wouldn't name him but he did say "our President". We forced him to say it. When he finally did, the crowd went wild. It was great. We have him on record. He didn't want to do it, but he had too, and he knew it. It was wonderful.

[yukong]

And we had some anti-America, peace-niks that tried to crash the rally. They came in the back door of the mall, and started chanting something, I couldn't tell what, because I was toward the front. Well, 6000 strong turned toward the back and started chanting, USA, USA, USA, for several moments, and then cheering and yelling. Well, needless to say, the anti's made a quick exit. It was great.

[Tax-chick]

Cool! You had some fun!

Phooey on the Governor. If he's an American, he should be able, at least :-), to say that he prays that President Bush will do the right thing.

[ChemistCat]

I'm sorry I couldn't go. I can't drive at night anymore, and I was thinking it would probably be tough to get away before dark. Anxiously awaiting pictures!

[DrDeb]

Two thumbs WAY up!!!!!!!

Love the way the crowd 'encouraged' the Governor to actually acknowledge the President -- you're right, he is a "weenie"!

[I'm surprised that the organizers were able to get so many to attend on a week day -- I think this only underscores OK's commitment to the country, the troops and our president (a lot like those of us who braved -11 degree temperatures in Cleveland -- it's all about priorities!)!]

[yukong]

One of the highlights to the evening was Boyd Barkley, past commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart for Oklahoma. Boyd is a veteran of Viet Nam. In fact, Boyd lost part of his arm and his hand in Viet Nam. He told the crowd he had something he needed to say, (about half way through his prepared speech). He then threw away his prepared comments, and he said that when he got back from Viet Nam, minus his hand and part of his arm, that the reception he got was cursing, name calling, being spat upon, called a baby killer, and had blood thrown on him. He was at that point teary eyed. The crowd was silent. You could hear a pin drop. He then said, that this evening, he finally felt what he longed to feel so many years ago. A lot of us were in tears. He was so emotional. At that point, 6000 strong began chanting, "Thank you, thank you, thank you" for several moments. He then called up all the Purple heart vets, and those vets that as he said didn't ear the purple heart "because they were smart enough to duck". And dozens of men took the stage, and again, we chanted, Thank you, thank you, thank you. Man, was that fantastic or what. So inspiring.

[GailA]

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!