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Murtha backers rally in the city
JOHNSTOWN — A lineup of political heavyweights hailed U.S. Rep. John Murtha as a champion for the working man and the ultimate patriot at a rally Saturday in downtown Johnstown.
“I’m here for Jack because he had the courage to stand up for veterans,” said former U.S. Sen. Bob Kerrey, a Nebraska Democrat and former U.S. Navy SEAL who was wounded in Vietnam and received the Medal of Honor.
“In my view, Jack Murtha’s critics don’t know jack,” Kerrey said.
Organizers estimated that 2,000 supporters, many of them military veterans, crowded Central Park for the “Veterans for Murtha” rally. The event was scheduled after a “Boot Murtha” rally was announced for 2 p.m. today at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
Opponents have questioned Murtha’s military service and accused him of being unpatriotic in his stance on the Iraq war and call for troop redeployment.
Retired U.S. Army Gen. Wesley Clark spoke in Murtha’s defense to rounds of applause.
“He’s one of America’s real heroes,” Clark said.
“Jack Murtha had the courage to stand up and tell it like it is,” he said. “Of course he’s going to be a target.”
Gov. Ed Rendell, also a veteran, took the stage to affirm the congressman’s support of U.S. troops.
“He has done more for the U.S. military than any American alive today,” Rendell said.
“How dare these outsiders come here to Pennsylvania and dispute the patriotism of one of our greatest sons in Commonwealth history?”
Other speakers included former U.S. Sen. Max Cleland and retired Gen. Hugh Shelton, who was chairman of the joint chiefs of staff from 1997-2001.
Murtha again criticized the Iraq war when he spoke to the crowd.
“This war is tearing families apart,” Murtha said. “Our sacred troops are caught in the middle of a civil war. We’ve got to let (the Iraqis) settle this themselves.”
After the rally, state Auditor General Jack Wagner said many Democrats are reacting to questions about their dedication to the U.S. military.
“When President Bush a couple of days ago said that the Democrats – the party of FDR and Truman – wanted to cut and run, a lot of us veterans were very insulted,” said Wagner, an Allegheny County Democrat. “Now you’re seeing a lot of backlash.”
Speakers didn’t mention Murtha’s opponent in the upcoming elections – Republican Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey.
At her Richland Township office Saturday, Irey said she will not attend the anti-Murtha event today.
“That’s not my rally,” she said. “I have no coordinated involvement with that group.”
Although supporters of the “Boot Murtha” movement didn’t appear at Saturday’s rally or make themselves known if they did, speakers and attendees responded to their anti-Murtha message.
Bob Martinazzi of Nanty Glo – after cupping his hands around his mouth and several times shouting, “We’re behind you, Jack!” – said Murtha’s opponents don’t know the facts.
“It just reflects on their ignorance of a great patriot,” said Martinazzi, a retired Marine. “He’s a man of integrity who has the courage to speak what’s in his heart.”
Fellow former Marine John Wells of Johnstown, who was a fighter pilot in World War II, praised Murtha for his outspoken views.
“We need more guys that have the guts to stand up to (the Bush) administration,” Wells said.
Sharon Jeffreys of Johnstown, who arrived with about 20 people representing the Pennsylvania Social Service Union, said she felt compelled to stand up for Murtha and challenge his critics, including those involved with the “Boot Murtha” campaign.
“This is really the first time, I think, that (Murtha) has needed us,” she said. “It’s really the first time you’ve even felt any challenge to him whatsoever for speaking out and telling the truth.”
Others, such as Roxanne Gurson of Johnstown, came to show their gratitude.
“He’s a great congressman, a great humanitarian, a great leader,” said Gurson, who was at the rally with her husband. “We want to do everything we can possibly do to make sure he gets elected again.”
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