By Bonni Ferguson
The Utah Coalition plans to throw one of the state''s biggest pro-troop rallies to show support for U.S. soldiers in Iraq.
The Big T, Thurl Bailey, volunteers for Operation: Yellow Ribbon, which will kick off at the Utah State Capitol Complex Saturday April 12 at noon and will end at 4 p.m.
Festivities should include musical entertainment, speeches and the main event, the forming of a human yellow ribbon, an iconic symbol of support for troops.
At 2 p.m., photographers will take an aerial shot of yellow-wearing, rally participants holding hands to form the mile-long, 10-foot-wide human yellow ribbon.
Singer, motivational speaker and former Utah Jazz player Thurl Bailey volunteered to serve as the event''s emcee, host and entertainer. Other entertainers will join him in supporting U.S. troops in Iraq.
The guest of honor, George Wallen, a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor for his efforts in World War II, will also speak to pro-troop participants.
One of the project''s coordinators, Darin C. Farr, said he was a veteran of the first Gulf War. His brother is in Iraq now.
Farr said he and others organized the event because they were concerned about the negative messages celebrities and press gave troops.
'We decided we were going to hold a rally to show support for the troops, not so much for the war or the Bush administration,' Farr said.
Some BYU students said they want to attend the rally on Saturday.
'If I can go, I''m definitely gonna make it because I''ll be supporting those troops,' said Stacey Carson, 21, a pre-communications major from Edmond, Okla. 'Now that the war has started, there''s nothing we can do to stop it, so the best thing we can do is support it,'
Farr said that is the purpose of the rally, to send a powerful message to U.S. men and women overseas.
'Whether you agree or disagree with , the troops need our support right now,' Farr said. 'These are the people who are going in harm''s way for us on the belief that they''re there to protect us, so we need to show them our support.'
Carson said BYU students should support the troops in Iraq by participating in rallies like this because they are out there keeping Americans safe.
'Think of it this way-- can you imagine being a solider fighting out there for a country who doesn''t appreciate it,' Carson said. 'The best thing we can do is hope for the best and support those out there who are doing things for our country.'