For the past few weeks, Freepers and patriots across the USA have been attending rallies in support of America, President Bush and our Troops. Many who have not been able to attend these rallies have cheerleaded from the sidelines and visited the various After Action Threads on the FR Forum.

When Billie invited us (Aquamarine and daisyscarlett) to contribute another American Patriotic Music Thread, we brainstormed to come up with a fresh presentation. We decided to do a cyber-rally and incorporate various photos from recent rallies across the U.S.A.-from North, South, East and West. This thread will include lots of patriotic music as well as patriotic graphics, prayers, poems and messages.

As always, we invite and welcome your participation. Post your favorite patriotic image, song, message of support-whatever you want. In addition to the four graphics featured in the opening, we will be posting scenes from other rallies throughout the thread, endeavoring to include as many as possible.

We are especially pleased that so many of these rallies were supported by former Finest Freeper profilees-heck, in some cases, these Freeper Finest were integral to the planning and success of said rallies.

So let’s hear it for AMERICA and our wonderful troops and leaders, rally style!!

One thing common to all rallies is the American Flag. We have seen big flags, little flags, paper flags and hand drawn flags. Flag clothing is also quite popular as well as the wearing of flag colors-the red, white and blue. Please post a favorite flag graphic if you are able to for our cyber- rally and enjoy this "My Name is Old Glory"

Rallies are held in many places....on historic courthouse steps, in atlethic fields and stadiums, on street corners and even on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. They have been held in the sunshine, the rain and the snow. Our location today is the WWW. Lots of room here and the weather is great too.

Rally programs are varied. Some rallies consist of a group of people cheering and waving flags in suppot of troops. Other rallies have structured and extensive programs. Prayers, music, speeches by local media politicians and celebrities, poems and more music. Military color guards are common; the Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America are sung and/or played more often than not. If the rally is on a street corner or a place with traffic, there is much shouting of Support our Troops and interacting with the public, most of whom are supportive.

Patriots come in all shapes and sizes. Men, women, boys, girls, rich, poor, retired and active military personnel, civilians. Our rallies have included all of the above, a cross section of Americans coming together to support our troops and country.