Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

After call for arms, they cry for peace

With veterans in their number, protestors take to the streets to oppose the president's surge in troops to Iraq.

By ELISABETH DYER
Published January 12, 2007

TAMPA - Toting a flag-draped cardboard coffin, chanting and waving signs in opposition to President Bush's call for a surge in troops to Iraq, protesters gathered Thursday on Bayshore Boulevard.

"Enough! Enough!" chanted Joyce Mercer, 61, of Tampa, who also opposed the Vietnam War.

"I'm sick that I have to be out here," she said.

Mercer joined about 60 people from as far as Sun City Center and Wesley Chapel who lined a block of Bayshore Boulevard during the evening rush hour.

Debra Kay Hedding, 52, of Lutz helped Chris Uhl of South Tampa carry a cardboard casket draped with a flag.

Hedding, a member of Veterans for Peace, wore a shirt from her Air Force uniform and waved a sign: "No more. Bring them home."

"This surge is exactly what we did in Vietnam," said Hedding, a retired Air Force major who recalls directing sorties and tactical missions in Southeast Asia in the Vietnam War.

Uhl was nervous about the reaction his casket might bring from some of his more conservative friends - even from his wife, who takes Bayshore Boulevard home from work.

"I think she would disapprove," he said. "It's too radical."

But then he decided Bush's request was too radical. "We need to escalate."

The corner at Bay to Bay Boulevard is where the Bayshore Patriots wave flags on Fridays.

Joan Cichon, who organized the protest for MoveOn.org, a liberal online organization, said she saw no conflict.

"I think of us as the Bayshore Patriots. Peace is patriotic," she said.

Ed Miller usually walked his dogs at that hour, but was roused by the protestors on what he called "my corner."

Miller retired from the Army in 1996. Holding a sign that read, "Veterans for Bush," he said the protesters were anti-American.

At this, Vietnam veteran John Parsels spoke up.

"I fought for America," the one-time helicopter pilot said.

"I'm fighting for it now," Miller replied.

"And so am I," said Parsels.

Elisabeth Dyer can be reached at edyer@sptimes.com or 813 226-3321.

[Last modified January 12, 2007, 05:38:24]