Our Sister VA Angels in Colorado

10/22/2007 9:27:00 AM
Residents rally in support of troops
Jonathan Schwab - Mail Staff Writer

About 80 people gathered in Poncha Springs Sunday for a war rally supporting the U.S. military and to help propel them toward victory in Iraq. Sponsored by mayors of Buena Vista, Poncha Springs and Salida, the rally began about noon in Chipeta Park. Supporters moved inside to the second floor of the town hall at about 12:30 p.m. when snow flurries began.Rally participants, including about 12 war veterans, arrived from Chaffee, Fremont, and Saguache counties and Colorado Springs. Buena Vista Mayor Cara Russell spoke to the crowd before the rally moved inside.She recited a quote by 18th Century Irish philosopher Edmund Burke: "I believe the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing."

Members of the non-profit group, Soldiers' Angels, were present, requesting donations to sponsor a holiday gift bag for a deployed soldier. The group intends to get a care package or goodie bag into the hands of all the deployed area personnel. Many who showed up to the rally signed a dozen boxes of Christmas cards to send to troops by Soldiers' Angels of Pasadena, Calif. The organization has volunteers in Buena Vista, including Jennifer Page who was at the rally to collect donations and provide information about Soldiers' Angels.

Poncha Springs Mayor Mark Thonhoff said, "My mission with this support rally was to either monetarily or materially give help in any way to the 150,000 men and women serving our country overseas." Thonhoff explained many of the military don't have the daily necessities most Americans do such as toothpaste, floss and other toiletries."If cards and all the small necessities we send brighten up their day, I feel we were successful," Thonhoff said. "Kudos to Cara Russell for spearheading this event."Russell contacted Thonhoff and Salida Mayor Danny Knight in late August about cosponsoring the rally, and both agreed. Russell said they chose Poncha Springs for the rally because it is the most convenient for the three cities. Rally volunteers collected donations for prepaid phone cards to send to troops. Thonhoff thanked Karin Adams of United Country Premier Brokers in Salida for behind-the-scenes work such as helping with Christmas cards. Knight couldn't attend because he was caught in traffic after flying to Colorado Springs from a funeral in Missouri, however, Thonhoff said he was "there in spirit." Thonhoff said. Thonhoff said Knight is "very proactive in supporting our military."Other members of the community who came, children and adults, have family members in Iraq. Heather and Alex Hobson of Salida were at the rally with their parents to support their foster siblings, Nikki and Albert Marle. Nikki is on her first tour in Iraq and Albert is on his third. Deb Wagner of Salida, whose husband, Norm, has been in the national guard in Iraq for eight months, showed up to support troops. When snow abated a bit, about 1:15 p.m., some rally participants lined each side of U.S. 50 holding signs with the image of an eagle and an American flag and messages such as "Freedom through victory, support our mission" and "These colors don't run."They were greeted by honking horns and occasional exclamations from drivers. Snow returned about 3 p.m., but more people arrived, many with nonperishable gifts such as toiletries, crackers, and small juice boxes to send to military personnel.