MOTHERS WITH SOLDIER SONS SPEARHEAD
ELMHURST RALLY IN SUPPORT OF TROOPS
ELMHURST, March 28, 2003 – Individuals and organizations throughout Elmhurst will show their support of United States military personnel fighting in “Operation Iraqi Freedom” and serving around the world during an hour-long rally at the Elmhurst Veterans Memorial in Wilder Park on Sunday, April 6, starting at 3:00 p.m.
“Rally for the Troops” is being organized by military mothers Cindy Lucking and Rachel Thompson, in cooperation with the Elmhurst Mayor Thomas D. Marcucci, Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187, Elmhurst Veterans of Foreign Wars Walter A. Glos Post 2048, Elmhurst Park District and Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Names of servicemen and women from Elmhurst and those with Elmhurst connections will be read throughout the rally. Relatives of military personnel may submit names via e-mail at info@elmhurstchamber.org by Friday, April 4, at 12:00 noon.
Julie Falasco of Elmhurst and Chamber Ambassador Leo Armwood, formerly a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, each have a son involved in the fighting in Iraq, and the Marines have Jack Cammack, Owner of A-1 Communications, and Michael Wisner, Director of Construction Development for Cantore and Company, back in uniform.
Both Lucking and Thompson have sons in the U.S. Marine Corps stationed at Kaneoke Bay in Hawaii. Steve Lucking is a 1st Lieutenant in an infantry division and David Thompson is a Lance Corporal in a weapons division.
The rally program will include: Invocation, by the Rev. Dr. Larry Leonard, Pastor at Elmhurst Presbyterian Church; Pledge of Allegiance, by Bill Ralston of American Legion Post 187; remarks by Mayor Marcucci and two veterans; “God Bless America,” by Adam Benkendorf; reading of poems; Benediction, by Tony Ilardo, Chaplain, American Legion; and singing of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless The USA.”