Waynesburg rallies to support U.S. troops
WAYNESBURG – A sea of red, white and blue shone forth through a gray, rainy day Saturday morning as more than 300 people lined both sides of High Street in a rally for the troops at war in Iraq and soldiers serving in other locations throughout the world. Organized by the American Legion’s 25th District, which encompasses Greene and Washington counties, the rally was held on the steps of the Greene County Courthouse not to voice opinions in favor or against the war, but to let the troops overseas know that the people they left behind are fully in support of them and are hopeful for their safe return.
“We’re here to support our troops, wherever they may be,” said Tom Shumaker, commander of the 25th District. “Many here have been there, done that. We need a united America to show the world that we support our president, we support our troops and our thoughts and prayers are with all of them.”
The event was even highlighted by the attendance of American Legion National Commander Ronald F. Conley, who came to Greene County after meeting with President Bush at the White House on Friday. He said he was overwhelmed by the amount of support he saw in the crowd Saturday for troops everywhere.
“You are here for the young men and women who are fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Philippines, Colombia and the rest of the world,” Conley said. “Sadly, some of our allies refuse to see the threat of Saddam Hussein and his arsenal of weapons of mass destruction.”
Conley said the world has not seen a dictator as ruthless as Saddam Hussein since the days of Adolf Hitler, and he rattled off some of the atrocities Hussein and his family have committed during their regime.
He said the troops need to know that their nation is behind them and that, while they cannot be home with their families and friends right now, everyone here can be there for them until they safely return from whatever mission they are assigned to complete.
“This war is about the Constitution of the United States and defending our way of life,” Conley said. “Our obligation to our country ends with our last breath, so we must make sure our servicemen and women have our support.
“The rain may dampen our bodies, but it won’t dampen our resolve,” he added.
Greene County Commission Chairman Dave Coder, a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, said the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, told everyone, even people in southwestern Pennsylvania, how vulnerable the nation can be.
Coder said he recently spoke with Ross Smith, a county employee who was sent overseas as part of an Army Reserve unit based in Morgantown. He said Smith has been trained to help soldiers fight against chemical weapons, which many suspect are a part of Saddam Hussein’s arsenal.
He said Smith’s story is just one of many he could tell about local men and women serving in dangerous times in dangerous locations throughout the world. Saturday’s rally is important to all men and women in the armed forces, but particularly for the local members, Coder said.
The Rev. Brad Davis, commander of American Legion Post 816, said every American should salute those who have given so much for the freedoms Americans enjoy. He said Greene Countians throughout history have shown their willingness to defend and protect those freedoms, from as far back as the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
Almost 200 years later, he said, the nation again is at war, and men and women from all over the United States are in harm’s way.
“President Bush pledged when he took office that he would do everything in his power to protect our nation, and our president is keeping his promise,” Davis said. “We thank you and salute you, Mr. President, and we thank and salute our fighting men and women.”
State Rep. Bill DeWeese (D-Waynesburg), a U.S. Marine veteran, took the podium to thank the community for coming out in the rain to support the troops and to remind everyone why U.S. soldiers are engaged in conflict.
“No matter how repugnant or obscene a war demonstration might be, the difference between Pittsburgh and Baghdad or Greene County and the Kurdish hills of northern Iraq is freedom and that piece of parchment known as the Constitution,” he said. “We are behind our men and women who are defending a Constitution system that is unparalleled in the history of mankind.”
The hourlong event featured several speakers and several musical numbers, including the national anthem to open the ceremony and “God Bless America” to conclude the rally.
Afterward, Shumaker said he was pleased by the turnout, despite the steady rain. He said the event was more than just for the people who attended, but also for troops and their families nationwide.
“Everyone has a connection to someone in the armed forces, whether it is a neighbor or someone you only know casually, and the sentiments today are those of most of America,” he said. “This is small-town America here in Greene County, and we want to send word to the world that we support our troops.”
The Legion district held a similar rally Saturday afternoon at the Washington County Courthouse.