Support our troops rally on City Hall

By ALAN BURKE

Staff writer

PEABODY -- A crowd of several hundred people, waving flags and signs, gathered at City Hall on Saturday in support of American troops now fighting in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan.

Led by the Peabody Veteran's Council, the rally also included a half dozen or more veterans organizations and public officials like U.S. Rep. John Tierney and Mayor Mike Bonfanti. While passing cars and trucks honked their approval, participants gathered around the four stone monuments commemorating this city's participation in the nation's wars.

Some speakers stressed that their support of the men and women of the armed forces is distinct from the debate on the policy of President George W. Bush in going to war with Iraq.

"That is a debate for another time and place," said Bonfanti. But he continued, "Freedom and liberty -- ours and others -- is worth fighting and dying for."

"We were a conflicted nation before the conflict started," noted Tierney, who has expressed doubts about the wisdom of the Bush policy.

Yet, he indicated, there is no ambivalence about supporting those who are doing the fighting. "Every member of Congress and every American will support their efforts ... and make sure they have everything they need."

He added, "America is united in supporting its troops and this is not the time to be torn asunder." Tierney urged that families of service people who need any kind of help should contact his office.

The crowd included many veterans, ROTC members from Peabody High School, uniformed police officers and firefighters and citizens from Peabody as well as surrounding cities and towns. They both waved homemade and pre-printed signs saying things like, "Freedom Is Not Free" and "God Bless America."

The rally had special meaning for Doreen Follis of Peabody, who has one son, Bobby, serving in the Air Force. He is likely to be transferred to Turkey. Another son, Steven, is due to graduate from U.S. Marine Corps basic training on Parris Island June 6.

Yet another son, still in high school and standing alongside her at the rally, is eager to enlist in the Marines.

"We're so proud of them," she said.

Follis confessed that she can't bring herself to watch the television coverage of the war.

"I watch it for her," said her sister, Christine Foley. "I just hope they all come home safe."

"I think everybody's nervous," conceded her brother-in-law, Bill Foley of Malden.

Follis credits her father, Emil Disario of Melrose, a World War II veteran, with instilling the family with its sense of duty. Nonetheless, she is hopeful that the Iraq war ends before her son leaves basic training.

Robin Haraktsis stood apart from the rally, with a sign supporting the troops, watching her 6-year-old son Matthew play with a ball on the City Hall walk.

"I'm fully in support of this war," she said. "I'm glad after the 12 years we've waited that we're not going to wait another 12 years until he's old enough to have to fight."

And with that she gave her son a long look.

Retired National Guard Brig. Gen. Albert Mangone told the crowd, "The only thing that is off-limits right now is ad hominem attacks on our president and our troops. ... Those of us who served in Vietnam did experience that and hope never to see it again."