Saturday's troop-support service in downtown Muncie wasn't a peace rally, but those who attended the service weren't promoting war, either.
About 150 people gathered to show appreciation for soldiers who were serving their country. They met at the Delaware County Building plaza near the county's Veterans Memorial.
In a speech, U.S. Army Reserve Capt. Nate Lamar told the group that soldiers overseas were protecting the rights of every American.
"They fight to defend the rights of those who want to protest a war," Lamar said.
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But troops long for peace just as much as anti-war protesters, Lamar said.
"Let's pray for peace today for our soldiers because it's a soldier more than anyone who, from experience, understands peace," he said.
Although soldiers want peace, they know they also must serve their country, Lamar said.
"It's a matter of duty," he said, "whether one agrees with it or not."
The group at Saturday's service gathered to say thank you to soldiers for performing their duty. One way supporters showed appreciation is by buying Girl Scout cookies to send to troops overseas.
A local Girl Scout group sold about 60 boxes of cookies, said Steve Surface, director of the local Marine Corps. League. The Marine Corps. League is working with the Girl Scouts to send food to troops in Kuwait.
"When guys are overseas, they don't get Girl Scout cookies," Surface said. "What everyone misses is food from home."
Supporters also showed appreciation by reading poems, singing patriotic songs, carrying American flags and simply by saying one word -- "Thanks."
"Thanks seems like such a short word and such an easy word to say, but I don't know of any other word to say," said local minister Paul Fulp.
Veterans and friends and relatives of current soldiers composed most of the group. Those who attended the service faced temperatures in the 30s and a snow shower.
But the conditions troop supporters faced Saturday are mild compared to the cold temperatures troops are facing in Afghanistan and the heat they will face in Iraq, Lamar said.
One veteran asked the group to support troops not only while they face those rough conditions overseas, but also when the troops return home.
"We can come out here today and support them, but we need to support them when they come back -- that's when it can get tough," Vietnam veteran Gary Porter said.
Ball State junior Kurt Griffis, who recently returned from serving in Bosnia, said his transition from soldier life to civilian life was difficult.
"It's a hard adjustment to come back, regain your freedom and live in that type of world," Griffis said.
Griffis' father, Jerry, helped organize the service. He said he was pleased with the turnout but would have liked more to come out in support of troops.
Griffis said he thinks troops will feel honored when they find out about the support. Kurt Griffis said he thinks the service honored soldiers appropriately.
"(Troop support) was the mission," Griffis said, "and I think the mission was accomplished."
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Support
One veteran asked that troops be supported not only when they are overseas, but also when they return home.
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