Friday's "Rally 'Round

the Troops" felt as much like an old fashioned revival service as

it did a political and patriotic gathering, as hundreds of local residents

turned out to show their support for those fighting the war with Iraq,

as well as to say thanks to those who've served before.

Even as heavy rains began to

fall, the people still poured into The Villages Amphitheater adjacent

to Fayette County High, filling it beyond its 1,100-seat capacity.

"Tonight, you suffer a

little in the rain, but it's nothing like what our troops have been enduring

in the Middle East," the crowd was told.

Amid the patriotic music provided

sung by Sandy Creek High student Erika Smith, rally host Maj. Gen. Ted

Mallory, (USAF Ret.), moved the program along as well as any preacher

might.

The most emotional moment of

the hour-long ceremony came when Ronnie and Kaye Young of Lithia Springs,

parents of POW Ron Young Jr., now somewhere in Iraq, took the stage. They

were greeted by a near 10-minute standing ovation.

The Youngs, clearly overwhelmed,

thanked the Fayette County crowd for their prayers and support.

"Everybody has shown so

much love to us," Kaye Young said, "This is the worst thing

that has ever happened in our lives, and yet it's done more to restore

our faith than anything we cold have imagined."

She related the feeling of

being overwhelmed with a sense of peace on the evening her son was captured

that Ron was OK."

Ronnie Young said that in one

of his last conversations with his son, he asked him if he was afraid.

His son told him no.

"And as I stand up here

tonight and look out and see all these fine people, I know why he wasn't

afraid," he said. "I just hope he can come home soon and see

this show of support from the American people that's been so overwhelming."

And then, as the rain stopped

and a flock of seven geese flying in perfect formation honked across their

heads, the band cranked up "Armed Forces Salute" and active

or veteran members of each branch of the military were asked to stand.

When Mallory asked all those

in the crowd who had family or close friends currently serving in the

Iraq conflict to stand, about half the audience rose to its feet.

The event ended with a roll

call of Fayette military personnel and a lighting of candles.

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