Posted: 3/12/03

Rally in FL backs troops

Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Parents and spouses of military personnel left waiting and wondering as the country is poised for war learned something important Monday. They have friends in Forest Lake who will help if their support is needed.

A crowd of more than 200 turned out at American Legion Post 225 for a rally to support the troops and their families. The event was jointly sponsored by the Legion and VFW Post 4210 of Forest Lake.

The rally was an echo of events more than a decade ago when the United States stood on the verge of war against Iraq after the Iraqi capture of Kuwait. Now 12 years later, U.S. forces are preparing for another war against Iraq to remove Saddam Hussein from power and eliminate the dictatorís believed weapons of mass destruction.

Mondayís rally was organized by the Legion and VFW to let the troops and their families know they have support at home. Dozens of parents and a number of spouses turned out.

About 30 Blue Star banners were presented to spouses and the parents of men and women serving in Operation Enduring Freedom.

The reason for the rally was clear, said El Ewert, master of ceremonies. ìThey need our support,î he said of U.S. forces stationed around the world and not just the Middle East.

Nolls speak

Perhaps no one in Forest Lake knows both sides of the soldier-family war dilemma better than Jim and Rose Noll of Forest Lake.

Jim Noll, a teacher in ISD 831, was called to active military service for the Gulf War in 1990 and was a battalion commander for an Army psychological operations unit during the war and worked with Iraqi prisoners of war.

His wife, Rose, was left at home with seven children and all the family duties that normally fall to a wife and a father.

Both spoke on Monday, but it was Rose Noll who delivered poignant remarks, talking directly to those who may be in the same shoes she was in when her husband went off to a war. She was introduced by her husband as ìmy real commander, my real hero.î

ìIt was a scary time,î Rose Noll said.

It was difficult, she said, working as a single parent, dealing with the uncertainty and doing the things to keep a home running. A key, she said, was a solid family support network that evolved in Forest Lake from parents and spouses.

ìWe could share our fears and I knew they understood,î she said. ìIt wasnít easy. I was terrified.î

Refusing to ìsugarcoatî her remarks, Noll said parents and spouses must face the reality there are no guarantees in a war, but must have faith and trust for the best.

ìWe can only pray that it will be OK,î she said.

The support the Noll family received from friends, neighbors, family and the community did much in helping her get through the ordeal of the Gulf War, she said.

ìThey do come home and things get better, but itís not easy,î Noll said.

Here to help

Representatives of the Legion and VFW extended an invitation to parents and spouses that both service organizations were available to host family support groups and would do whatever possible to help families.

Helen Broich, the current president of the state VFW Auxiliary and a member of Post 4210 Auxiliary, said the help was available at any VFW or Legion post in the state.

ìYou are not alone,î Broich told family members.

She reminded the family members that there are ìhundreds in Forest Lake who have been thereî and answered the call to an uncertain future and to serve their country.

Service organizations stand ready to help those left at home to cope, she said.

Jim Noll, as a 31-year Army veteran who served as a platoon leader in the Vietnam War, said the support network at home was vital to him when he served in Asia as well as in the Middle East.

Thinking back on his Vietnam days, Noll said the CARE packages, letters from home and prayers for his safety meant much. The measures, he said, helped him not worry about home and family and concentrate on his job as a soldier.

ìWhat a comfort that was to me,î Noll said.

The night of patriotism was highlighted by stirring performances by the Forest Lake High School Symphonic Winds and Concert Choir.

ìI am so proud of our young students,î Ewert said in praise of the music students.

Top of Page