Radio host organizes rallies

PHILADELPHIA -- Flag-draped "Rallies for America" across the country are drawing thousands of people to demonstrate support for U.S. troops in the Persian Gulf -- a less visible counterpoint to the large crowds who have flocked to anti-war protests.\nMany of the pro-military gatherings were originated by syndicated radio host Glenn Beck, whose Philadelphia-based show is heard in more than 100 markets. There have been nearly 20 in recent weeks, with organizers estimating total attendance into the tens of thousands.\nBeck, 39, is careful not to call the rallies pro-war, although participants tend to support military action against Iraq. The conservative commentator said the point of the rallies is to boost troop morale.\n"I would find it obscene to be standing in a crowd saying, 'Let's kill Saddam,'" Beck said. "That's not what this is about. This is thoughtful, prayerful, decent human beings … there to just say, 'Whatever happens, we support these people in uniform.'"\nAbout 15,000 people attended a rally in Auburn, Ind., on Saturday, cramming shoulder-to-shoulder in a hangar-like building with a capacity of 16,000.\nRally-goers in red, white and blue sang patriotic songs, waved signs and cheered at photos of President Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and others. On the stage was a giant American flag and a replica of the Statue of Liberty.\n"It makes me feel really, really good to know this many people really support our children," said Kim Cook, 43, whose son, Ross, is a Marine lance corporal in Iraq. "It's been a big fear that they'd come home and be treated like they were when they came home from Vietnam."\nOther rallies have been held in cities including Houston, Atlanta, Cleveland, Oklahoma City, San Antonio and Nashville. Beck attended several of them.\nBeck, who went into radio as a teenager and spent most of his career in Top 40 before debuting three years ago as a talk-show host, said he worried that American troops were hearing only about anti-war protests.\n"When you're in the thick of things, you can feel awfully lonely if you don't see other people actively standing up for you," he said.