AP: Hundreds Attend Vigil for Marine Families

[Hissyspit]

http://start.earthlink.net/article/nat?guid=20050805/42f2e440_3ca6_1552620050805-1015627080

Hundreds Attend Vigil for Marine Families
August 05, 2005 12:40 PM EDT

COLUMBUS, Ohio - With the last of 16 Ohio families notified that their Marines were dead in Iraq, other military families rallied to help, and hundreds gathered for a prayer vigil in Cleveland.

"When my son comes home, I can have my nervous breakdown," said Isolde Zierk, who leads a support group for a Columbus-based reservist company that has suffered 11 of the casualties. "Until then, I'll just keep on doing what I can."

The losses came in quick succession for the suburban Cleveland-based 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines. Two soldiers died July 28 in a gun battle, followed by five on Monday while on sniper patrol. Then nine members of the battalion were killed Wednesday along with five other Marines and an interpreter in the deadliest roadside bombing of U.S. troops in Iraq.

- snip -

"These are wonderful lives of hope and promise that were taken from us," Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell said. "We want you (families) to know in the midst of your grief you are not alone." A larger memorial will be held Monday night in Cleveland at a convention center that can hold 30,000 people.

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[bballny]

1. I heard Bush is going

NOT

[Tempest]

2. Phelps won't be there protesting

He's here in Bakersfield preparing to protest today's funeral of a U.S. marine.

I'm heading out at 2:30pm to meet him head on.

As conservative as Bakersfield is, everyone is against Phelps showing up. There's a large organized effort to counter-protest Phelps.