Saturday marked two-years of troop rallies

By: KELLY BRUSCH - Staff Writer | Saturday, March 12, 2005 9:34 PM PST ∞

LAKE ELSINORE ---- Two solid years of rallies supporting troops at a street corner in Lake Elsinore represent thousands of honks from passing vehicles, hundreds of dollars in donations collected for care packages and a whole lot of troops thanked for their service.

It also means the country has been at war with Iraq for two years, and hundreds of men and women have been killed.

Saturday was the second anniversary of Lake Elsinore resident Paula Graver's weekly troop rallies, and many who attended had the same thing on their minds ---- they were hoping the second anniversary of the rallies would be the last. Or, at least, the last during a time of war.

Perhaps next year, the group of die-hard military supporters can host a welcome-home-for-good rally instead, said Fanny Grosse, a Lake Elsinore veteran who comes often to the weekly events.

On nearly every Saturday for the past two years, Graver has braved pouring rain, blistering heat and criticism from a few people who don't like seeing her and her band of troop supporters at Mission Trail and Diamond Drive.

War or peace, Graver is a woman who can't seem to stop thanking servicemen and -women ---- and the admiration runs both ways.

"The best part of all the rallies is hearing people support our troops; ... soldiers who are local know we support them, and can hold up their heads with pride," she said.

To civilians who ask her why she cares so much, and why she's so persistent in holding the weekly get-togethers, she said she replies, "Why not?"

"They need our support more now than ever," Graver said.

About 60 members of the Run For the Wall motorcycle riders were on hand, a group of all-veteran bikers. Another group, the Iron Horses Riding Club, had about 15 members there.

Veterans from every war fought since World War II were there, sharing stories and shaking the hands of fellow servicemen.

Stephen Ferguson, a corporal with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, returned from a tour of duty in Iraq in August 2003. His battalion's mission was to secure the Ramali oil fields, one of President George Bush's main objectives in the war, Ferguson said.

These days, the young soldier, aided by his mother, Jackie, spends much of his time ministering to troops injured in battle at local hospitals around Southern California.

Ferguson, 23, who is stationed at Camp Pendleton, has earned many distinctions for service, including Honorable Mention for Marine of the Year, awarded by Marine Corps Times magazine in 2003.

Ferguson said the turnout for the rally was inspirational, as is its founder.

"I think she's an outstanding role model in the community," he said of Graver, a former Marine.

Jackie Ferguson, along with Graver and several others, are collecting items to donate to troops in Gulf Company, who are expected to return to Camp Pendleton by the end of this month.

Tom "Stumpy" Klein is an Army veteran who served in Vietnam picking up the dead and wounded, and transporting them to Qui-nhon, an evacuation hospital there. Klein was joined by Al "Papa Bear" Lyons, who served as a Navy SEAL in the war.

Both are members of the Iron Horses Riding Club.

"We encouraged the guys to come down and support this," Klein said of the rally.

Lyons said it's remarkable how persistent Graver has been in her encouragement of the troops.

"She's been out here rain or shine," he said. "I give her a lot of credit."

Contact staff writer Kelly Brusch at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2626, or kbrusch@californian.com.

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