Despite the cold and the threat of rain, the benches surrounding the George Seuffert Bandshell were filled on Saturday afternoon with hundreds of men, women and children. One of several rallies planned over the weekend to support the troops in Iraq, the Forest Park event drew a crowd filled with residents, political leaders and civic and community activists.
The rally organizer, Senator Serph Maltese, was one of many speakers to address the cheering crowds. "The United States is facing difficult challenges both at home and around the world. Our servicemen and women make extraordinary sacrifices everyday so that we can continue to enjoy the freedoms and liberties we as Americans cherish so dearly. Their patriotism and courage in these trying times serve as a mark of distinction that makes us all extremely proud."
The many speakers were interrupted by the chanting crowd as cries of "USA, USA" filled the air. From all walks of life they came; of different ages, races, genders and political affiliations. But the common thread was the unified voice with which they expressed their unconditional support for the troops risking their lives on a distant shore.
"You can really feel the energy here," said Edward J. OHare, Republican District Leader 23rd AD, "and its a different kind of energy than the people who chain themselves together and lay across the streets." Indeed, Mr. OHare was not alone in his sentiment about anti-war protesters. "Really, is there anyone who is pro-war? I dont think so. None of us wants a war. But those of us here have accepted the inevitable and recognize what our priority is now," said Mike Roberts, a Queens Village resident whose nephew was killed in the Vietnam War. "Clearly, to be American is, regardless of how we feel about the war, to support the people laying on their bellies in 100 degree heat while mortars explode around them. They are the ones who guarantee us our freedom."
"How could anyone not understand why we are doing this?" questioned Kathy Brasile, whose husband Peter is a sergeant in the United States Army Military Police. "After 911 it became very obvious that we had to do something. Im the last person who wanted a war, knowing my husband would be going and that I could lose him and my children could lose their father. But hes there [in Iraq] and none of us could ever be prouder."
Sgt. Peter Brasile was on the phone from Iraq with his wife and family while they lined the first row of seats at the rally. "Kathy, all the guys are around me and we wanted to know if the people are really out there supporting us. We want to know how many people are there, what they are saying.
Kathy Brasile said it was easy to hear the excitement in her husbands voice. "They are so happy and appreciative that people are coming out in support of what they are trying to do." At the time he called his wife, Sgt. Brasile was surrounded by many troops who were as excited as he to hear about the rallys great attendance. And to satisfy the curiosity of the troops, The Queens Courier has supplied the Brasile family with a disc of pictures of the rally to be sent over to Iraq.
For the entire 16 years that they have been married, Peter has been an Army reservist. Two years ago, the bus driver for the New York City Transit Authority whose route snakes through Queens Village, went to Kosovo on a peacekeeping mission.
"We had to keep sending him candy and snacks while he was there," Kathy told The Queens Courier. "He would take them and give them to the children in the streets." Now Kathy says, her husband is doing the same thing with Iraqi children.
When Sgt. Brasile is not treating the children to sweets, his duty in the Armys Military Police is tending to Iraqi POWs. His wife says that she speaks to him every couple of days and that he is, as are his buddies, very homesick. "I know he misses us very much, especially the kids. He is so involved in their lives that it is very difficult for him. But he is very busy now and very, very focused." The father of fourAlyssa,14, Michelle,11, Joseph,9, and Peter,6is not just known as dad. He coaches football and baseball for his sons and a cheerleading squad for his daughters.
Kathy says she cant bear to watch too much TV but does listen to the radio on her way to and from work. "I try to change the channel if it comes on in the house because I dont want the kids to be upset. They speak to their dad frequently and to them he is safe. They know he is on a mission and that he will be coming home soon. And speaking of coming home, Kathy says she is going to throw her husband a big party and then take the whole family on vacation.
Also at the rally were Grace and Pat Leyden of Woodhaven, whose son Sean is on a Patriot Missile Battery somewhere near the Kuwait/Iraqi border. The Leydens say their son is in very good spirits and hard at work plotting and entering coordinates on Patriot missiles. "He just keeps asking for fly paper," said Grace Leyden. "He said his happiest moment was when the porta-potties and showers arrived." Before the shipment, Seans showers consisted of standing under a plastic bag filled with water in it being poured over his head through holes.
Despite the rough physical conditions, family members insist that the troops are firmly committed to their mission to rid the world of Saddam Hussein and liberate the people of Iraq.
"The worst part of what I see on TV is not the bombing," said Jay Albert whose brother flies sorties off the USS Abraham Lincoln."Its the so-called Americans here who have the audacity to enjoy freedoms, and then stand in the streets of our cities to participate in anti-war die-ins. They do not stand behind our president. They do not stand behind our troops. They are disgraceful. They are committing treason."
