Took the family (me, wife, two year old daughter and eighty year old father) to a "Support the Troops" rally in a nearby town this afternoon. There wasn't a lot of publicity for the event. I only knew about it as I happened to go to the supermarket this week and saw a poster. I also happen to own a business on Main Street in Stoneham, and I know no one came by doing any publicity - asking us to put up a flyer or something.


At the rally, it turns out the idea for the thing had only come up about a week and a half ago, so I'd have to say that attendance wasn't that bad considering. I've no idea about estimating crowds, but I'm sure there were a few hundred people, anyway. It was a cold, slightly windy day, but sunny.


There was a Navy Band up from Newport, Rhode Island. Members of various veterans groups, town Selectmen and families of servicemen serving overseas got up to speak. The most polished speaker was State Rep. Paul Casey. The crowd recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang God Bless America. Many flags and banners in support of the troops and the President were visible. The entire affair lasted about an hour and went very well, I thought.


There was a similar event going on just after in the neighboring town of Reading, but the rest of my crew wasn't holding up quite as well to the cold, so we called it a day after the Stoneham event.


Here are a few photos I snapped. Click the thumbnail to see a larger version. Some of the wide shots were taken just as we arrived. More people came as the event progressed.