Project Honor Our Troops
Published on April 9th, 2003
STONEHAM, MA - Hundreds of people weathered last Sunday's frigid afternoon in a show of their support for U.S. armed forces overseas. Gathered on the town common around representatives from local veteran's groups, the crowd endured a fierce icy breeze that whipped and tossed the scores of small American flags citizens clenched in their hands.
Sponsored by Stoneham's American Legion post 115 and the Stoneham Elks Lodge 2211, organizers of the support-the-troop rally had originally hoped for a citizen turnout of at least 1000 people. Although only 350 people showed up according to official estimates, Stoneham firefighter and American Legion member Mike Flynn said he was very satisfied with the turnout.
"It could have been better, but I'll take it. We did great," said Flynn.
Despite the lower than expected attendance, families of American troops who spoke at the event gave an at times passionate thank-you to the crowd as they reflected on the rally.
"I can not tell you what it does to this mother's heart to look out here and see my friends and neighbors out here supporting their own," choked Stoneham resident Mary Driscoll, her voice cracking with emotion. "The most obnoxious thing to these heroes is to see Americans protesting against the war...god bless America and god bless you," added Driscoll, whose son Paul is stationed in Iraq.
Stoneham resident, Rob Barresi, now a freshman at Merrimack College, also attended the rally in support of Driscoll and because of what he considers a wave of anti-war sentiment at his college.
"We're here for our friend Paul Driscoll. I grew up with him-went to school with him, went to church with him. Hopefully, we can win the war fast and bring him home faster," said Barresi, who carried a large American flag around the common.
Speaking of his experiences at Merrimack College, Barresi said he felt that too many anti-war students overlooked the plight of US troops.
"It was just an anti-war table over there and not enough people are supporting the troops," said Barresi.
Splashed with American colors, the gathering of citizens at the rally varied in age, with World War II veterans, children, and college students attending the events. Children sporting top hats streaked with stars and stripes sat on their parents' shoulders, while other youths stood with flags draped across their shoulders. Both men dressed in military garb and families of troops also stood amidst the crowd, many carrying signs decorated with American flags and pictures of their loved ones.
Although sparsely found, a few of the signs carried slogans that could be construed as political, such as one poster that read, "I support our troops and our President." However, a significant majority of people respected the non-political nature of the support-the-troop rally, a fact that grateful event planners acknowledged.
"Everybody did exactly what they were supposed to do and I thank them from keeping politics out of it," said Flynn.
In addition to the family members, several members of the American Legion, the Vietnam Veterans of America, the Veteran's of Foreign Wars and the VFW and American Legion ladies auxiliary also spoke to the crowd. Walking up to the podium as the rally drew to a close, current American Legion commander Ethel LaSalle asked the gathering not forget all the women stationed overseas.
"I belonged to the women's army," LaSalle began. "Don't forget the women over there. No one's said anything to them today," she continued to the cheers of the crowd.
Found standing next to reelected selectmen Bob Sweeney and Cosmo Ciccarello for the majority of the rally, state representative Paul Casey also spoke at the rally, stating that of all the people involved in the war, soldiers yearn for peace more than any other group.
"Fred Thompson stated that the United States could not be the land of the free if it were not first the home of the brave," said Casey. "These warriors, these soldiers are the ones who hate war the most. Those who fight are eternally optimistic...that there can be a lasting peace. And isn't that what we all hope for? For peace?" he asked.
Two other features of last Sunday's parade were the 20-piece Naval Band Northeast of Newport, RI, which played God Bless America among other patriotic songs, and a tee-shirt and care kit drive.
Selling $10 tee-shirts that read, "Stoneham Cares About Our Troops", and collecting personal items for troops at Ganci Air Force Base in Kyrgystan, event organizers said that the charity drive met great success, collecting $1500 from tee shirt sales alone.
The American Legion plans to continue its tee shirt and care kit drive until May 4th. Donations can be sent to the Stoneham police station, Stoneham fire station, or any Stoneham public school among other sites. Some of the items organizers are asking for include: baby wipes, liquid soap, dry snacks, tooth brushes, powered drinks, sunblock, puzzle books, playing cards, shaving cream, black sunglasses, and stationary and journals.
Subscribe and get Home Delivery of The Independent
Save 36% off the newstand price — that's like 18 FREE issues!