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 We need more out there like veteran Rich Davis of Pennsylvania:
Memorial Day isn't until Monday. But for Rich Davis, a 20-year veteran of the Navy, it seems to come every Saturday. That's when he pulls out a handmade sign and heads for a street corner near the Chester County Court House in this suburban Philadelphia community. Mr. Davis, 54, is a pro-military protester who makes a public stand each week in support of the troops and their mission.
MSM will never get it right: he's not a pro-war protester, but a troop supporter. Davis was a one-man show at first, but not for long. More people than the antiwar protesters took notice. A few weeks after he started his own weekly protests, Mr. Davis had about 40 sign-holding, flag-waving supporters at his side, thanks to support from the Gathering of Eagles, a national organization supporting the troops.
What was the reaction of the anti-war protesters? Typical, as I've witnessed here at anti-war rallies when troop supporters (like myself) show up. Though there was plenty of room on the corner, he says he was bumped, shoved and challenged. One person asked, "Do you live in fear?" Another demanded, "Why don't you go and serve?" "They had that corner for five years, every Saturday, unopposed," Mr. Davis told me. "They couldn't stand the thought of one person having a sign they couldn't tolerate."
Early on, both sides exchanged taunts and it escalated to one peacenik hitting a female conservative blogger last March. Davis learned a lot from that experience. "Every time we go out, I remind the guys that we represent more than ourselves," he told me. "The troops and their families look at us. So I hope we present ourselves with the same type of dignity, courage and honor that our own sons and daughters are showing in Iraq and Afghanistan." What Mr. Davis wants those troops to see is the solid wall of red, white and blue of his group's flags and "Support Our Troops" signs. He averages about 30 supporters a week, but hopes for a larger turnout for Flag Day, June 14.
As more supporters joined Davis, he started an organization (with a great web site name)... There are a few other changes. Mr. Davis's once informal group is getting organized. They have a name, Chester County Victory Movement, and a Web site (www.americansheepdogs.com) that they use to share information about welcoming troops home, sending care packages, and joining discussions at West Chester University.
You don't have to hold a counter-protest, but please thank a veteran when you see one. This weekend in particular, we at FreedomDogs honor and will always remember those who fought and died for our freedoms — and we thank all the Rich Davis-types out there who make sure our veterans and families see our support.
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