SHOWING SUPPORT -- Throngs of Valley residents turned out Sunday to show their support for the troops serving in the Persian Gulf during a rally at Lancaster Municipal Stadium. EVELYN KRISTO Valley Press

Rally for troops draws crowd

By JESSICA LOGAN
Valley Press Staff Writer

"He's been waiting 11 years to do this," said his mother, Ruthi Crockett, at the "Support Our Troops" rally Sunday outside Lancaster Municipal Stadium. She wore a purple jacket with the words "Marine Mom" embroidered on the back.

She proudly held a letter her son sent to a local school to explain what he is doing. At the bottom of the letter he drew a cartoon caricature of himself with a speech bubble, saying, "Hi Mom."

"This is certainly the greatest challenge I've had in my life," Crockett wrote. "I sleep on the ground in a small tent, eat MREs, my hands are so dry and raw, the knuckles are cracked and bleeding … dust covers everything at all times, and I've had one shower in the past month.

Ruthi Crockett was among a throng of people who came out to support the troops engaged in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Whether they saw the event as a political forum or a place to join in appreciation of the men and women fighting in the Middle East, emotions were overflowing.

"Listen, our whole way of life is at stake here," Quartz Hill resident Bonnie Davis said. "They're the only ones who are standing between us and them."

Some elaborated on what "supporting troops" meant.

Quartz Hill resident Shawna Nelson said that she was willing to mow lawns and run errands for people who have loved ones serving in the Middle East.

"Anything that we can do to help, we really should," Nelson said.

Her son did his part during the ceremony, singing "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" while dressed in a red, white and blue shirt.

He was not alone. The parking lot was packed with people wearing patriotic paraphernalia, including shirts, ribbons, sneakers, umbrellas, jackets and pins. Even a few dogs were dressed in patriotic clothing.

Linda Ciampa of Lancaster, who makes dog clothes, had her two pooches, Angie and Sam, dressed up for the occasion. She said she grew up in a military family and her husband retired from the Air Force.

"Nobody likes war, but sometimes it's necessary," Ciampa said.

Those who had loved ones overseas waved large photos for the crowd to see.

"We know who we are, we know what we stand for and we know why we are fighting this war," state Sen. William J. "Pete" Knight said.

In the midst of his speech about what the American flag meant to him and to the nation, a young boy, barely of school age, shouted out, "It's about oil," to his mother's dismay.

Knight continued, "with your support we cannot fail because we are the United States of America."

Assemblywoman Sharon Runner, the event sponsor, said it was her pleasure to honor those who risk their lives and gave her support for their loved ones.

"These families are sacrificing on a regular basis."