Online Edition Monday, November 12, 2001
Bridge vigil attracts strong showing
By PAUL LEIGHTON News staff BEVERLY -- Under normal circumstances, coaxing 75 people out of their warm living rooms and onto a cold windy bridge might seem like a tall order. But as the new post-Sept. 11 reality has revealed, standard assumptions often no longer apply. A strong showing of flag- and flashlight-waving people gathered atop Veterans' Memorial Bridge last night to show their support for U.S. troops and their families on Veterans Day. "I didn't know how this was going to go off," said Bob Gilbert, commander of Beverly Vietnam Veterans Post 1, which organized the event. "I was very pleased. It reinforced my faith in the American people." Gilbert said the Vietnam veterans organized the vigil because they know better than anyone the value of public support for troops in combat. The Vietnam War turned into an unpopular war back home, and Gilbert said many veterans are still stinging over the lack of support they received. "We feel it's very important for the families of those who are now serving know that we're behind them and they can come to us," Gilbert said. "We want our troops to know that they don't have to worry about going home and having people spit on them. We lived through that and we'll be damned if we're going to let it happen again." Last night's vigil included short speeches by Gilbert, Beverly Mayor William Scanlon, state Rep. Michael Cahill, D-Beverly, and a prayer by the Rev. Dean Pederson, the chaplain for Vietnam Veterans Post 1. Gilbert then played a recording of "God Bless America" as the crowd sang along and shined their flashlights. Joseph Civitarese, a 60-year-old Beverly resident, said he felt it was important to attend the event because "this is a war that has to be won." "It shows that people realize what America is all about and that Sept. 11 shall never be forgotten," he said. The McGuirk family of Beverly -- John and Jane and their sons, 18-year-old Sean and 15-year-old Nick -- turned out for the vigil. John McGuirk served in Vietnam and is now commander of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 83 in Beverly. "The biggest thing we can do is involve the kids, especially since we were attacked right here in our country," he said. "Children watch it on TV and it affects them." Ann Horrigan took advantage of the event to gather more signatures for a book of condolences for the families of victims of Sept. 11. Bundled up against the cold, the 70-year-old Horrigan passed around her book, which already has 1,200 signatures. Her goal is 5,000. "We all have to do something," she said. "In my own little way, this is what a 70-year-old grandmother decided to do." Among the crowd were members of a veterans' organization called Rolling Thunder, many of whom travel by motorcycle. "It's so nice to see the support," said Steve Luz, a Salem resident who is vice president of the Rolling Thunder's local chapter. "As a Vietnam veteran I know how important it is to have the support. It's great to see so many people come out on a cold night." Pederson, the chaplain, said the site of the vigil was significant "because bridges connect things and bring us together. We pray for the people who are thousands of miles away and in harm's way." Gilbert said he would like to hold another vigil in May. It is important, he said, that the American public not lose its resolve in what is sure to be a long fight against terrorism. "Today there are people who disdain our values and our way of life," Gilbert told the crowd. "They have foolishly attacked the greatest country in the history of the world, and they will pay the price." |
|