Posted Friday, 02-May-2003 16:04:51 PDT



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BACKING THEIR SONS -- Gracie Morales, left, and Dolores Barnett carry pictures of their sons, Joseph Miranda, 21, and Joshua Robinson, 20, who are involved in the war with Iraq. Morales and Barnett participated in a Wayside Chapel rally in support of U.S. troops on Saturday in Rosamond.

JENNIFER X. HERNANDEZ Valley Press

Rosamond rallies for troops

This story appeared in the Sunday, March 30, 2003, Antelope Valley Press..

By NICOLE JACOB
Valley Press Staff Writer

ROSAMOND — They held signs and waved flags in support of American troops on a gusty Saturday afternoon in Rosamond. Passing motorists honked and waved to the crowd of about 26 young people from Wayside Chapel and a few others who joined the group on the corner of 25th Street West and Rosamond Boulevard.

"I thought this was a great idea to teach the kids about patriotism," said church youth director Preston Lewis, who organized the event. "They're showing their support for the troops and having fun."

Participants cheered as passing motorists responded to their handmade signs reading "We love America" and "Honk 4 the Troops." Some motorists even parked their cars to join their group, Lewis said.

"It's so cool," said Brandy Randall, 11, of the support from motorists. "That means they're true Americans."

For some at the rally, showing support for the troops goes beyond patriotism. Dolores Barnett of Rosamond has a 20-year-old son, Joshua Robinson, who is stationed somewhere in Iraq. She hasn't heard from her son since hostilities began and fears for his safety.

"Everyday we're hearing about the POWs and people getting killed and I keep waiting for my phone to ring," she said. "I don't like war because people die. But those (Iraqi) people need to be freed. And we need to support our boys over there."

Barnett and her family unfurled an American flag and joined the group lining Rosamond Boulevard.

Participants in Saturday's rally ranged from toddlers in strollers to grandparents. Lewis said the church youth who participated understood the situation in Iraq and many were avid watchers of war coverage on TV.

Randall said she and her family have been watching TV war coverage "24 hours a day" and her father, who served several years in the military, has been taping the coverage.

"I want to support the troops, and make sure they're safe," she said. "And I want God to bless them."

Saturday was the second rally the group has had in support of troops. A similar rally took place last week; due to popular response another rally was organized, and the number of participants increased. Lewis said the event could become a weekly occurrence while troops are fighting in Iraq.