Hundreds send cheers, support to troops High on top of the shoulders of her father, David, McKenzie VanOss shows her support for the Families, veterans and politicians gather for a rally By Ray Barrington News-Chronicle There was no doubt about where this crowd stood. Cheers echoed through a banquet room at the Stadium View Sports Bar and Grill on Sunday throughout a rally supporting U.S. troops fighting in Iraq. The rally drew several hundred people, including veterans, families and local officials. Todd Jackson of Green Bay, who organized the event with his brother Ron and Mike Edwards, said he was appreciative of the turnout. The three started to organize the event about three weeks ago. "We were just tired of all the anti-war rallies," Todd Jackson said. "The troops were feeling like people didn't care. We wanted to show the troops there's a community of people out there who are behind them." Bill LuMaye, talk show host at WTAQ 1360 AM, which sponsored the rally, held up a recorder and promised to send it to troops to show the support in Green Bay. While saying the station tried to be evenhanded in its newscasts, WTAQ program director Dave Edwards said the station was proud to have promoted the rally. "We felt there was only one side," he told the crowd. There were many wearing shirts and jackets showing either veterans' status or family ties (one said "Navy mom"). One family set up a picture of its Marine, John Lorrigan of Manitowoc, on a table, with the photo surrounded by flags. "He's in Kuwait," said his father, Mike. "At least, that's the last address we have from him." Several local and state politicians spoke in support of the troops and the fighting in Iraq. Rep. Mark Green, R-Green Bay, said the rally was necessary to show troops that "Hollywood half-wits" didn't share the dominant opinion in the nation. "They go on line, they read the local newspaper, and they will see this," he told the crowd. Mayor Paul Jadin led the crowd in a chant of "U-S-A," while his successor, Jim Schmitt, promised that troops would get a hero's welcome in the city upon their return. State Rep. Terri McCormick of Appleton gave one of the more fiery speeches, drawing loud cheers with her support for President Bus and even louder cheers when mentioning Wisconsin's "3,500 and counting" troops overseas. But Rep. Becky Weber got an even louder cheer when she asked all the veterans in the room to be recognized. Before the speeches, most of those in attendance signed long banners showing support. Common were such sentiments as "thank you," "come home safe and sound and soon," and "God bless you." And one, in a child's printing, read: Daddy, Jim I love you. From Sadie Mann.