Rally in Valley supports troops

By JESSICA LOGAN
Valley Press Staff Writer

Laura and Alex Flores trooped out in the wind and rain on the corner of Sierra Highway and Lancaster Boulevard on Sunday afternoon to hold up a poster of their 22-year-old son, Ben.

He was fresh from basic training in Chicago when he was put on a ship and sent to where all the action is taking place.

They were two of about 100 people who whipped up signs and donned patriotic or Harley-Davidson-inspired clothing to show their support of the troops who are fighting in Iraq and enlist support from passing traffic.

"We want the troops to know that the people back home support them," said Chuck Marinos, a two-tour veteran of the Vietnam war who organized the event.

"I'm too old to fight," Marinos said. "I had to do something."

He decided to organize the event and passed out fliers to advertise.

"The city and the Sheriff's Department, they were all really supportive," Marinos said.

He and other volunteers inflated several hundred red, white and blue balloons, which were launched around 2 p.m. despite cloudy weather and sporadic rain.

Rosamond resident Linda McSherry showed up to the event with her homemade shirts featuring patriotic decorations, which she sold to event supporters.

She gave half of the proceeds of the shirts to charities supporting the troops.

Troop supporters waved their signs at passersby, who were encouraged to honk their horns and yell their support out of their car windows.

The people at the rally were particularly excited about the seven prisoners of war who were brought back to safety.

"It was a godsend," McSherry said.

Lancaster resident Laura Gilpatrick agreed.

"I think it's great that they found them alive," Gilpatrick said.

Despite the recent success of the troops in Iraq, the Floreses said they are still concerned about their son.

"He's on a ship, so he should be pretty safe," Laura Flores said. "But really, you never know."

Goodwill for the troops and concern for their safety ran high among the group.

"They're fighting for our freedom and the freedom of everybody," Palmdale resident Mike McCoy said.

Lancaster resident Lana Palumbo stood under a small tent blowing up balloons before the send-off at 2 p.m.

Her three brothers served in the military and since have resumed civilian life.

"Everybody here has been wonderful," Palumbo said. "It's just been great."

Despite the recent advancements, many of the people at the rally were realistic about the future.

"There are still rebels over there, and they're going to fight to the death," McSherry said.