Wednesday, April 9, 2003
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Wednesday, April 9, 2003 |
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Hundreds brave rain at F'ville rally to pay tribute to American POWs By J. FRANK LYNCH
Friday's "Rally 'Round the Troops" felt as much like an old fashioned revival service as it did a political and patriotic gathering, as hundreds of local residents turned out to show their support for those fighting the war with Iraq, as well as to say thanks to those who've served before. Even as heavy rains began to fall, the people still poured into The Villages Amphitheater adjacent to Fayette County High, filling it beyond its 1,100-seat capacity. "Tonight, you suffer a little in the rain, but it's nothing like what our troops have been enduring in the Middle East," the crowd was told. Amid the patriotic music provided by the Fayette County High band and a rousing "God Bless America" sung by Sandy Creek High student Erika Smith, rally host Maj. Gen. Ted Mallory, (USAF Ret.), moved the program along as well as any preacher might. The most emotional moment of the hour-long ceremony came when Ronnie and Kaye Young of Lithia Springs, parents of POW Ron Young Jr., now somewhere in Iraq, took the stage. They were greeted by a near 10-minute standing ovation. The Youngs, clearly overwhelmed, thanked the Fayette County crowd for their prayers and support. "Everybody has shown so much love to us," Kaye Young said, "This is the worst thing that has ever happened in our lives, and yet it's done more to restore our faith than anything we cold have imagined." She related the feeling of being overwhelmed with a sense of peace on the evening her son was captured by Iraqi military. "The Lord gave me that experience, to let us know that Ron was OK." Ronnie Young said that in one of his last conversations with his son, he asked him if he was afraid. His son told him no. "And as I stand up here tonight and look out and see all these fine people, I know why he wasn't afraid," he said. "I just hope he can come home soon and see this show of support from the American people that's been so overwhelming." And then, as the rain stopped and a flock of seven geese flying in perfect formation honked across their heads, the band cranked up "Armed Forces Salute" and active or veteran members of each branch of the military were asked to stand. When Mallory asked all those in the crowd who had family or close friends currently serving in the Iraq conflict to stand, about half the audience rose to its feet. The event ended with a roll call of Fayette military personnel and a lighting of candles.
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