Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 24, 1991 TAG: 9102240160
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE/ NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: PEARISBURG LENGTH: Medium
Flags lined the sidewalks and flapped from windows, porches, store fronts and atop a 50-foot crane.
Almost everyone in the crowd, from tots to senior citizens, waved a flag or wore the U.S. colors or a yellow ribbon while they watched the parade and prayed for the troops.
Meanwhile, the U.S.-imposed noon deadline for Iraq's withdrawal from Kuwait came and went without response from Saddam Hussein, bringing closer the likelihood of a ground war, which began later in the day. That didn't seem to mute Giles County's feelings of support.
"When all those boys move in, the Marines are just going to kill him," said Larry Neice, a Pearisburg plumber.
"It's our patriotic duty back here to support them," said American Legion member Myron Pruett. "I believe it will be quick, because the United States has put up with this long enough, yes, indeed."
Theresa Salyer said she was scared about the ground war. "But I'm hoping that it means it'll be over quicker and they can all come home to their families."
Salyer held a yellow sign that read "We Support Our Troops." In the corner was a picture of her brother, Sgt. Paul Miller Jr., who is stationed in the gulf.
Speaking from the courthouse steps, where a huge flag draped the historic building, Marine Lt. Col. William Tehan told the crowd, "You are as important to what is going on in Saudi Arabia today as the people that are there."
Tehan, executive officer of Virginia Tech's ROTC and a Vietnam veteran, said that the public is as crucial in wartime as the military and the government.
Without that support, he said, "You do not have the ability to wage war. You do not have power."
He also blasted the national news media for filing reports that he said were wrong, incomplete or in poor taste. He said he frequently calls the television networks to criticize their coverage, and he urged others to do the same.
Later, rally organizers read the names of 54 Giles County residents serving in the gulf. Children were quiet, and many adults cried or sniffled as family members tied yellow ribbons with the names of the soldiers to boughs of an evergreen in the courthouse yard.
One of those soldiers is Pfc. Robert Thomas, otherwise known as Bo.
"Could you please tell him, `Hi, Bo, from Mom and Dad.' He'll be surprised," the private's mother asked a reporter. Jan Thomas said her son gets the Roanoke Times & World-News in Saudi Arabia and shares the news from home with the rest of his unit.
"The last time I talked to him, they really wanted to go in. They were tired of just sitting around," Thomas said.
"I hope they do go in there and get rid of him," even if that means losing her only son, she said, her voicing shaking with sobs.
She took pictures of the parade to send him, particularly one of the Giles High School band. Bo, 20, played saxophone in the band before he graduated.
Red, white and blue balloons were sent floating into the clear sky at the end of the two-hour event.
Saturday in Roanoke, about 20 people gathered on Grandin Road to pay tribute to friends and family serving in the gulf.
Edward F. Parcha, 25, a native of the Southwest Roanoke neighborhood, was in many people's thoughts. Mischievous and fun-loving, Parcha always had a twinkle in his eye, said his mother, Sylvia.
"I hope this war doesn't take that twinkle away," she said with a frown. His birthday is next month and his mother is afraid he will spend it in the desert.
In letters, Parcha said, her son said he wants the troops to go in, suffer the casualties and get it over with.
Cheryl Brooks drove down from Reston to attend the rally. Her thoughts were with her daughter, who, like Parcha, is in the Army.
Staff writer Melanie S. Hatter contributed to this story.
by CNB