INFINITE FREEP: RALLY TO SUPPORT OUR TROOPS IN BRISTOL CT, APRIL 12 EVENING!!

self | 04/02/03 | RaceBannon

[RaceBannon]

You have been to more events in Connecticut than most Connecticut Freepers.

[monafelice]

Sorry that we were not able to make it.
I could not find Courant coverage either, as you said there weren't there.
Channel 61 had good coverage of the event.

Bristol Press "FRONT PAGE" 4/13: City supports troops
(no pic's on website)
By STEVE COLLINS, Staff Writer April 13, 2003
BRISTOL -- The "Tribute to the Troops" rally Saturday proved a night for poetry and patriotism as hundreds turned out at Memorial Boulevard Middle School to honor the men and women from the community who are serving in the war in Iraq.
Jamie Telke of Bristol said she joined the 500 people who attended "to pay tribute to all the troops because I think it’s great what they’re doing."

But, she added, "I just want them home."

Her son, Robert Telke, is serving on the USS Tarawa somewhere off the coast of Kuwait, working to keep helicopters flying into battle.

Organizers were able to find out about 60 military men and women from the area who are engaged in the war in some capacity, whether grinding it out on the ground near Baghdad or hauling supplies in the Persian Gulf.

"Boy, that’s a lot of names for a small town. It just goes to show that the nation can count on Bristol when the chips are down," said Dave Connelly, who served as a peacekeeper in Bosnia and was master of ceremonies for the rally.

At least some of those 60 people serving in the war heard about the rally despite the many miles separating them from Bristol.

Tommy Pavelchak, who’s serving in the Air Force, told his family to "say hi" to everyone at the vigil. He said he knew of a handful of other Bristol soldiers and sailors who are over there somewhere. "Kind of odd to see we’ve all come this way," he wrote to his family.

Pavelchak told his family "don’t cry for me" and to save their tears for the newly freed Iraqis and the military personnel who have already perished in the fighting.

Mayor Frank Nicastro said the troops "are America’s finest and we salute them."

"Whether we agree or disagree with the war in Iraq," the mayor said, "one thing is certain: we all support our troops."

He urged the community to keep the troops in their prayers and look out for them when they return with horrifying memories of what they’ve seen in battle.

Nicastro told their families, "Please know that you are not alone. We are all part of your family."

A number of family members got a chance to speak as well. "A lot of us were inspired to write poetry for tonight," said Donna LaFleur, before reading a short piece she’d penned for the occasion.

Mario Mackie-wicz, a sixth-grader in Berlin, called the event "awesome. The speakers were great, especially the poems."

His mother, Betty Mackiewicz, said the turnout was a good show of support.

She hailed the troops honored by the rally. "They’re over there for us," Mackiewicz said.

June Fuhlbruck of Bristol said she came to show her support for the men and women fighting to free Iraq. She said she is "extremely patriotic, always have been." She said, though, that she’s worried the nation may be in for "a long struggle" in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

Aaron Benusis, a 10-year-old Boy Scout from Ivy Drive School, helped lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. He said he came "to represent our country and the citizens of the community who are fighting."

"It says a lot, it means a lot and it goes a long way" that so many people took the time to attend the tribute, said Stanley Piotrowski, a veteran whose son is serving in the Army in Iraq.

Piotrowski asked everyone to say a prayer for the troops "before you go to bed tonight" and to pray, too, for "the people of Iraq that they may be liberated and may know the freedoms we know."

City Councilor Art Ward, a Marine veteran who fought in Vietnam, said the community should continue to show its gratitude to those who are serving in the war "and hope for a quick and safe return home" for all of them.