|
Students rally for troops
By Nicole Stanley
Collegian Reporter
Voices were heard both in protest and support
of Operation Iraqi Freedom Wednesday evening in front of Central
Hall.
With a prayer of support for the soldiers
in Iraq, the Hillsdale College Republicans and Politics Club
began their rally that drew a crowd of approximaetly 50 people.
Behind them stood a six-man group protesting
the war in Iraq and promoting the quick return of the soldiers.
Armed with yellow signs reading, "Support the Troops: Bring
'Em Home," the group talked about their reasons for the
counterdemonstration with those who approached them.
Junior Noah Schellhammer was one of the six
who said he disagreed with the message of the rally.
"I don't see this as counterrallying,"
he said. "The [rally promotion] signs said support the
troops, and I think the best way to support them is by bringing
them home from overseas."
Standing in stark contrast to the yellow of
the protest signs, were the yellow ribbons worn by those attending
the rally a few feet away.
Freshman Hans Zeiger kicked off their rally
with an impromptu speech as the crowd waited for the promised
speaker, Rep. Mike Rogers, who was unable to make it due to
unscheduled delays.
Rep. Bruce Caswell also spoke to the crowd
as they waited for Rogers on the meaning of patriotism.
"This country is always more important
than your individual wants," he said. "Why would an
18-year-old individual want to give everything they have to
you? You owe them your respect and support for that."
Both the support and protest crowds dispersed
after a moment of silence for the troops and the singing of
the national anthem.
Sophomore Cindy Cerquitella said she attended
the rally in support of a friend who was recently sent to Iraq,
as well as to demonstrate to the opposition that there are those
who still support the war effort.
Junior Kira Sanscrainte said she also attended
the rally to demonstrate that support for the war was stronger
than the opposition.
"Those protestors are one reason I came,"
she said, pointing to the six-man group standing to the side.
"We have way too many people like that. The troops need
to know that there are so many more people that will stand here
and support them than there are who will stand in their way."
However, even among the divide of the two
groups standing in front of Central Hall, there were some who
said they stood more in the middle of the issue.
"I would say that it was a mistake to
go in," junior Andrew Dickerson said. "It's not worth
$160 billion. But, now that we're there, we have to make it
work."
|
