By Melissa Kimball
Provo residents, leaders and community organizations gathered at a pro-American rally Saturday March 29 in front of the Provo Library.
More than 100 people gathered to demonstrate their allegiance to America. Car honked their horns in support. The rally was sponsored by the Utah Coalition of the Willing.
'This time, we''re going to send a message loud and clear to our troops,' said Candice Chilcott, chair for UCW. 'We love them. We want them home safely and will do whatever we can to make life better for them.'
The Daily Herald Freedom Band played patriotic music and Morning Star dancers performed traditional Native American dances. Provo leaders, residents and two BYU students spoke at the rally.
'We''ve heard a little bit about the anti-war students on campus wearing armbands and speaking out,' said Jared Emfield, BYU coordinator for the UCW. 'I feel there is a silent majority that support our troops. My message is for BYU students to be more vocal about their support for the troops, regardless of how you feel about government policy.'
George Gordon-Smith, a senior from Great Britain majoring in English and political science, also spoke at the rally to represent troops from Great Britain and show support for the United States.
'I don''t think it (the war) is about America versus Iraq, or Great Britain versus Iraq,' Gordon-Smith said. 'It''s about right versus wrong, and the right thing to do is to oust a tyrant and free the Iraqi people.'
Gordon-Smith said his family back at home does not support the war, but he stands by his views.
'The freedoms America originally fought for are worth fighting for 327 years later,' Gordon-Smith said.
Other speakers at the rally included Provo Mayor, Lewis K. Billings, Vietnam veteran Carl Moore and Candice Chilcott.
'This is the reason I''m doing this,' Chilcott said as she held up a picture of her family, three of her children dressed in military attire. She spoke about her children who serve in the Army and Utah National Guard. One of her sons was deployed at 5 a.m. on the day of the rally.
Carl Moore, a Vietnam veteran and a member of UCW, spoke about the joys of being alive after the Vietnam War and his hope that people will treat returning troops with respect.
'I don''t want them to come home and hide,' Moore said. 'I want them to come home cheered heroes like they were after Operation Desert Storm.'
Provo Mayor Lewis K. Billings read a proclamation that encouraged Provo residents to support the troops through action such as flying flags.
'It is a wonderful thing in a time of war, to see the patriotism of a nation like ours,' Billings said. 'We encourage people to be mindful of their allegiance to their feelings; it would be a good time to fly a flag.'
Billings said he thinks students should speak out, write letters to their newspapers, and protest the war in Iraq if that is what they feel, because it proves the American system is working.
'It is American to disagree, have strong opinions and say what you feel,' Billings said. 'I hope they (students) will all agree that they live in a remarkable place because they can feel and say what they want; that is very powerful.'
The crowd at the rally included many groups and organizations. The American Bikers Aiming Towards Education, Boys Scouts of America and many war veterans were represented at the rally.
'It was very patriotic and inspirational,' said Dahl Olsen, a Provo resident and Vietnam veteran. 'You could see people wiping their eyes.'
The Utah Coalition of the Willing is organizing 'Operation Yellow Ribbon,' a pro-American rally that will take place at noon on April 12 at the Utah State Capitol.
'Our goal is to have everyone dress in yellow and form a one-mile long, 10-foot wide, ribbon around the capitol for a picture to send to troops over seas,' Emfield said.
Emfield said they need about 7,000 people to form the ribbon around the Capitol.
For information visit the Operation Yellow Ribbon Web site at www.operationyellowribbon.com or e-mail Emfield at jared@defenseforfamilies.com.