| Serving
in Iraq gave special perspective on rally
Britta Arendt
Herald-Review
Last
Updated: Wednesday, July 14th, 2004 11:25:27 AM “I
wanted Becky and Diana to see the Commander in Chief—the man who wrote their
orders,” said Jim Robertshaw who acquired VIP tickets for himself, his wife
Becky Robertshaw and his daughter Diana Robertshaw to the Tuesday night George
W. Bush rally in Duluth.
After spending nearly a year in Iraq with the 724th
Combat Engineer Battalion of the United States National Guard, Becky and Diana
returned to their family in Bovey this spring with a deeper appreciation of American
freedom. And after experiencing their first political rally and seeing the President
in person for the first time, both women say they were proud to witness those
quintessential American liberties like the freedom of speech and the right to
protest—which they endured scorching heat, heartache and homesickness to
protect.
“There were a few things that he said that got to me,”
explained Diana who said there were parts of Bush’s speech that touched her
emotionally, as a young veteran. “Especially when he described the military
as our liberty army. It was really touching to see the President who we fought
for.”
Becky agreed that it was impressive to see the President from their
seats near the stage where hundreds of Bush supporters crammed around them to
hear what he had to say. With memories of Iraq still fresh in her mind, Becky
said she was moved when the President said, “God gave us freedom and a lot
of times people try to take that away.”
“There was a lot of energy
in there and a lot was generated by that man,” added Jim who felt the President
seemed warmer in person and very energetic.
But the most impressive part of
the rally, according to all three Robertshaws, was seeing the hundreds of protesters
lined up along the streets outside of the DECC.
“This is a great country
that we have the freedom that they can do that,” explained Becky who also
said it was comforting to know that the police here in the U.S. are here to protect
citizens. “It’s a huge contrast to Iraq.”
“It was my first
rally and it seemed a little mobish, like all of the chanting,” continued
Diana. “But it made me realize how good America is to see all of those protesters
lined up on both sides of Lake Street. It makes you really appreciate that we
can do that.”
The Robertshaws have two nephews currently serving in Iraq.
Knowing how ruthless the extremist groups are in Iraq and how dangerous the work
is for U.S. soldiers, Becky and Diana pray for the quick and safe return of everyone.
From:
http://www.grandrapids-mn.com/placed/index.php?sect_rank=1&story_id=177860 | |