Indiana Support Troop's Gathering 4/7/2003

[Boats]

To the Boys & Gals from Crown Point, In or Lake County IN be advised that I drove over from IL to attend this ralley in suport of the troops.

They did a find job several hundered showed up in the 35 Degree weather. In fact we had some light snow yesterday and today.
The kids from St. Mary's school sang several songs in the cold, yellow ribbons all around the Court House, several VA organizations were there with colors.

Two minister's gave prayers and all the names of those personnel from Lake County and Crown Point serving in the Iraq theather were read off.

They passed out some flags, yellow ribbons and support the troop buttons. I met some of the guys I know from the Crown Point VA clinic there and we stood there remembering our past days in VN.

But all and all it was nice to particapate and support the troops after all they are our kids and they are doing something wonderful for everyone - They just don't know it yet.

When its over - I will welcome them each home and say how proud I was of their contributions. It's the least I can do. How about you? :re:

[sfc_darrel]

We went to a Support the Troops rally on Saturday night here in Las Vegas.

There was a regional American Legion conference at the Riviera. They organized the rally and ADVERTIZED it on television. The Rivera Casino was very supportive.

A Congresswoman came and gave a flag that had flown over Congress to a local Brownie troop. Representatives of other Senators and Congressmen read mesages from them.

We all sang God Bless American. The National Anthem and Proud to Be An American.

We talked to several nice people, shared stories including the one about "trying" to run down a protester in Renton and all agreed if people try to spit on our children, like they did our veterans returning from Vietnam, we would hurt them badly.

About 150 people showed up. Camera crews came. No hecklers.

A good time was had by all.

[Boats]

sfc_darrel;

We sang the same songs but we also did the Pledge of Allegiance with God in it!! I don't attend as many of these functions that I should but I do attend every Veteran's Day. Last time I was there I met a guy who was a survivor from Pearl Harbor and I walked up and shook his hand and said thanks for being there - for us all.

It's amazing how fragile these guys are now as was my Dad and Uncle who fought in WWII so young they were back then. I guess any war wouldn't last too long with a bunch of old farts who get winded and climb up and over any obstacles any more and sport canfield lenses to see out of. ha ha

I always feel a little better coming back from some of these military or support gatherings. Its a fine mix of the old with the new and to stand there united with others is really a privilege.

Just doing time like the rest of the old soldier's. I was shocked to hear about DMZ-LT being burned in a fire I hope he'll be OK? He's got plenty of friends on this site and a swell family to watch over him so he's got to just keep his attitude up and he'll pull thorugh this hardship - he's a strong willed person.

[sfc_darrel]

We did the pledge too. Was "under God" MUCH louder than the rest of the words?
Joy