WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Group gathers at State House to show support for troops

Group gathers at State House to show support for troops

(Columbia) March 14, 2007 - Wednesday, dozens gathered on the State House steps as a show of support for the troops serving the United States. They were joined by some cross-country travelers who are part of one of the largest pro-troop groups in America. Their mission is to pick up flags for our soldiers and leave some hope with the people in the Midlands.

Everyone there had a story. WIS' Dan Tordjman spoke with one military wife, Ruth Russell, "My husband was in Iraq. He was in the first Gulf War. He's on orders to go back."

Russell visits the capital weekly to challenge anti-war protestors. But Wednesday, "Here they are. We should probably go there and greet them."

It's a rally she happily joins. The caravan rolls onto Gervais Street. Its message, "these colors don't run."

Move America Forward is en route to Washington, DC. The group started its trek in California.

In Columbia Wednesday, Russell and about a hundred others come out to sign cards for troops, and donate flags. They "will be sent to troops serving in harm's way."

"You have people who do everything they can to speak out against the war. They're not necessarily backed up by the American public," says Russell.

But there were no anti-war protests on Wednesday, just flags. They'll be displayed in DC Saturday before being sent to troops overseas.

Nearing the fourth-anniversary of the war in Iraq, organizers are urging Congress not to cut military funding. Deborah K. Johns of Move America Forward says, "We are not going to adopt an attitude of waving the white flag of surrender, and a cut and run attitude."

Russell urges the public and lawmakers to offer that support, "We are in a war. As an American, you have an obligation to support what these guys are doing. You can't pull the rug out from underneath these guys."

Reported by Dan Tordjman

Posted 10:41pm by Chantelle Janelle