Demonstrators Rally for Desert Storm

BOSTON--More than 200 demonstrators, some sporting American Legion caps and others decked out in camouflage clothing, gathered downtown here Saturday afternoon for a rally and march to show their support for U.S. troops in the Persian Gulf.

The event, which was organized by the American Legion, Support our Soldiers (SOS) and the Republican Women of Boston, drew many in red, white and blue, but few men in blue, to the hour-long rally beneath the golden dome of the State House. Participants cheered speakers--including representatives of Gov. William F. Weld '66--shoured "U.S.A.! U.S.A.!" at passerby and repeatedly pledged allegiance to the flag.

Keynote speaker Albert L. "Dapper" O'Neil, Boston city councillor-at-large, whipped on-lookers into a nationalistic fervor with his condemnation of anti-war demonstrators and his fervent pleas for support of American soldiers.

"Those kids are over there today and not one of them is complaining. But the complainers within this country--those are the ones that make me sick to my stomach," O'Neil said. "This is the greatest country in the world and within it we have problems with these people who want to tear it down."

O'Neil called for area motorists to drive with their headlights on during the day as a sign of their support for the troops. He also derided the "Mickey Mantle congressional delegation" of Massachusetts--a reference to the switch-hitting Yankee Hall-of Famer--for its flip-flop on support for President Bush's policies after the war actually began.

Many of those present carried framed portraits of President Bush or signs stating "USA: Love it or leave it," "Give peace a chance, destroy Saddam's arms" and "Appeasement=Genocide." Some wore the Desert Storm sweatshirt which has recently risen to popularity among supporters of the Gulf War.

At the rally, Boston University undergraduates Doug R. Wood and Glenn C. Carey said they thought support from the home front was important for troop morale in the Gulf. "The great thing about America is that people have the right to disagree with anything, but I think it's important for us to show that we support our soldiers," Wood said.

Wood said that not all anti-war demonstrators were police-heckling radicals, but added, "If you lay down with dogs, you get fleas."

Carey claimed he had infiltrated an anti-war conference the previous day disguised as a peace protester, and had found the statements made there "shocking."

"They say they support the troops so they want them home, but the fact is they're not coming home until it's over," Carey said.

A Capitol Police officer told an anti-war heckler who briefly disturbed the rally to "take a hike." Later, when the heckler returned and yelled, "Support our troops, bring them home," to the marchers, he was met with cries of "traitor" and told to "get out of this country."

Dida Hagan, Mrs. Massachusetts USA and wife of a soldier fighting in the Gulf region, said she objected to anti-war protesters because American troops "have to do what they have to do."

"It's like if your house is on fire and your neighbor is against fire," Hagan said. "We're not the bad guys."

Daniel Eaton, 7, of Whitman, attended the rally with his parents, wearing combat gear and a helmet. Eaton was reticent about expressing his views regarding U.S. foreign policy, but when asked whether he believed he should support our troops, he replied, "Yes."

At 2:15 p.m., the rally turned into a march led by the Republican Women of Boston. About 150 marchers, predominantly men, walked from the State House down Beacon St. to Mass. Ave., then back to the Boston Common on Commonwealth Ave.

They chanted, "Hey Hey, Ho Ho, Saddam Hussein has got to go," and carried signs reading, "For 5 months, Saddam has had his chance. Now let's kick him in the pants!" and "USA will stay the course, Saddam Insane has met the force!"

Three anti-war passers-by who made thumbs-down signs at the marchers were answered with cries of "piece of shit."

Marchers carried at least 20 fullsized American flags and many more smaller ones, turning the street into a river of red, white and blue. The color yellow was also in evidence in the yellow ribbons and armbands pro-war citizens wore.

They stopped twice during the march to pledge allegiance to American flags hanging in the street. Protesters also sang the national anthem twice, bringing the afternoon's total to four renditions of the old Francis Scott Key tune.

The marchers furled their flags and headed for home at about 3:10 p.m