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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Mar 17, 2010 - 6:39:30 PM |
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Blackanthem Military News
HARRISBURG, PA. - At a troop support rally Saturday at the Capital Building in Harrisburg, Pa., many local citizens were in attendance to show their respect for service members of the past, present and future. Radio personalities, musicians, members of the faith community as well as retired and current military officers spoke, prayed and sang to convey the value of freedom.
In that same spirit, a representative from a local grocery chain handed a check for $200,000 to the United Service Organization from collections made in their stores earmarked for troop morale. It was one of five events engineered to reaffirm both to those serving in the war and Americans enjoying democracy at home that, indeed, ‘freedom is not free.'
An unpopular war brought out many military advocates from all backgrounds and creeds that day. Most were from the Harrisburg area, but they were different in many ways. The biggest difference among the crowd, which likely reflects the population of the United States, was the various personal definitions for loyalty and patriotism.
Many participants remember their own service in the Vietnam War, and liken today's experiences to those that occurred in the ‘60s. A former Navy Seabee from 1968-1974, Tom Marone of Lewisberry said "it is incumbent upon us to support our troops and the mission equally, whether we completely agree with it or not. When individuals separate the two, a situation similar to Vietnam arises, and unfortunately it seems like that's what we're looking at right now."
A brother-in-arms, Taps Lauford of Mt. Holly said "I love these people here, the former GI's, their supporters, and those who love America. I didn't want another Vietnam, but that's what we got ourselves into." Lauford continued, "regardless of the bad politics and dishonest media, our men and women in uniform are doing good things and getting the job done."
Those policies do not push everyone away from reverence to their flag, as Rick Nunemacher of Harrisburg affirms. With a son on his third tour to the Middle East as a Captain in the active-duty Marine Corps, and the memory of his father's service in World War II, his beliefs hit close to home.
"I wouldn't feel any differently about my country if we found out the war was a mistake, that's what makes me a patriot." Nunemacher continued, "a patriot is loyal to his or her country; they put God, country and family first, and more importantly, they support the freedoms this country offers in spite of personal views."
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