Another huge turnout of regular Americans came to show public support for our troops and their noble mission.  The highlights included Mark, who just finished a 4-year stint in the Marines and is now going to the Police Academy.  Mark was driving by, saw us, and decided to park and come back and thank us. He held the flag for us when we sang the National Anthem.

Another highlight was meeting Cindy and Jeff McCullum. Their son is a Midshipman at the Naval Academy, he’s graduating this year and will be a Navy Seal.  We are always thrilled to meet our Blue Star Moms and Dads.

Chester County Sheriff Carolyn Welsh received our “Support The Troops” coin and said a few words. She told us how she met Marine Mark and advised him to apply for the Police Academy. She said, “We have lots of veterans in our Sheriff’s department, they make great deputies, they understand teamwork and chain of command, they’re disciplined, responsible and can handle pressure, they have all the qualities we look for.” 

Ray was with his wife Tamara and sons Scott and John, and Jeff was with his daughter Nicky.

Mom and Dave, a newcomer from Phoenixville.  Victor is getting used to his fellow Sheepdogs.

The best part of our one-hour rally is at the end when we get together to sing the Star Spangled Banner and say a prayer for our troops protection and success.  Mark is an Iraq Combat Veteran who had his last day in the Marines a week ago and now he has been accepted to the Police Academy, where he will continue to serve and protect us. 

We were thrilled and honored when he spoke to us and said, “I wish all the guys I served with could see you. They need this kind of support. They would love what you are doing.  When I saw you, I couldn’t believe my eyes and I had to come back here to tell you that this positive demonstration of love and pride for us is what we really need.  This show of support means everything to us, this is epic!”

We are happy to do it Mark. As I’ve heard so many times from fellow Sheepdogs, especially on days when the weather is lousy, “It’s the least I can do.”

Thank You Troops.  Thank You Military Families.

God Bless America!

After our rally, a bunch of us went down the block to participate in welcoming home our local heroes from the Army National Guard that recently returned home from Iraq.  They drill and train a couple blocks from our Saturday rallies. See pictures and story below.