Just because they're against the war doesn't mean they're against the troops.

That was the message being communicated Saturday in an anti-war peace rally at Capaha Park, sponsored by the Southeast Missouri Coalition for Peace and Justice.

About 90 people attended the rally, including a few residents who support the war and held up signs to protest the protest. On the band shell, a band played songs with a peace sign hung on the backdrop. Clergy, Southeast Missouri State University educators, and college and high school students all took the stage to promote peace.

Less than a block away, a group of about 20 held war-support signs at Capaha Park's Freedom Corner.

People of all ages attended the peace rally -- including children -- but most of the crowd appeared to be over 40.

Among the speakers and the people in the audience were parents of soldiers in the military.

Dr. Jack Stokes, a professor at Southeast Missouri State University who has a son in the military, spoke of his own inner conflict with the war.

"I've always disliked war," he said. "It degrades humanity to the lowest point. ... It's not about not supporting the troops."

Susan Bundy, a Jackson resident who attended the protest, echoed those thoughts. She said she resents the way that some media give the impression that war protesters are against the troops.

"I support my son 100 percent," she said of her son, Patrick Bundy, 20. "And he respects my opinion. There's no conflict in the family. To me, it's a bipartisan issue. It's not whether I like George Bush or not. I just don't think there is a case for war."

Andy Dodson of Cape Girardeau attended the rally proudly brandishing a "No Blood for Oil" pin attached to his shirt. He said he doesn't believe the reasons that are being given for this war and that the only reason the United States is interested in Iraq is because of its oil. Furthermore, he says diplomacy would have worked, if given a chance.

"Diplomacy didn't fail, Bush failed," he said. "I can't condone more violence and more killing, especially from a president who really didn't even win the election in the first place. ... But I support the troops 100 percent."

Bill Foster, who was holding war-support signs along Perryville Road near the rally, said such protests are "propaganda that will bring down morale, and that's wrong. I don't dispute their right and their freedom of expression, but the soldier protects that right."

bmiller@semissourian.com

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