By Pat Sexton
For the past seven and a half years, if you drove past the main Military Recruiting Center on Speedway on any given Wednesday morning, you would see Support America/Support Our Troops show of support and gratitude for the men and women who have stepped forward to defend our great nation. Over the years, we acquired many flags, U.S. and Military, which we set up along the sidewalk to honor those brave men and women who fight under those banners. You might notice the banners that clearly showed our support for “The Troops, The Mission, The Constitution, America!” Finally, you’d see extra flags and signs held by supporters who came to stand along the sidewalk to support and thank the military.
Our core group of faithful supporters, many who have been coming for almost all of these years, planned on continuing as long as we have heroes in harms’ way. However, as of this past Wednesday morning, we will no longer have our support rally at 2302 E. Speedway each Wednesday morning — at least not at this location.
This past Wednesday morning, the owner of the building was waiting for us as we arrived at our usual time to set up all of our support banners, signs and flags. He informed us that it was due to our weekly rallies that he feels he’s lost tenants. One major tenant who has has vacated his facility is the U.S. Army recruiting office. They informed us back in the fall that they were moving their operations to their Irvington & I-19 and to their Ina & La Cholla offices. They told us this was a decision made for many reasons by their Phoenix bosses. However, the owner of the building insisted that it was because of our presence that the ‘bosses’ in Phoenix claimed that new recruits didn’t like to come to this location, and that is why they’d moved.
He then proceeded to threaten all of us who were there that he would begin to sue us civilly for “loss of business.” He claims that he has been consulting and is being aided by a retired judge, and that he would be able to do that to each and every one of us. He then said that if we left, he would then take care of the anti-military, anti-Americans who are still out there lying and calling our Heroes ugly names. He claims he can get an injunction against them to keep them 500 yards from his business. It remains to be seen if he will be successful in keeping them away from his building and thus the recruiters.
I spoke with a State Senator who told me there ARE laws on the books that as long as we are on public property (the sidewalk) no one can prevent us from exercising our 1st Amendment Rights, provided we do not block access to a business (which we never have done). However, this Senator also told me that anyone can be sued for anything (even looking at someone in the wrong way!), and even if the lawsuit is thrown out of court, the person sued must use time, effort and money to defend themselves. In other words, we could be “nickeld and dimed” into keeping away from this sidewalk.
After this happened, I called the recruiters ( I spoke with the Marines, Air Force and Navy, but the Army has not called me back) and all of them told me they LOVE us being out there, and they’ve never encountered a single recruit who told them he/she would not come back because of us being there each week (for only 1.5 hrs!)!!! I explained why we would not be out there any more and asked them to call me if they have any trouble with the anti’s. They are sorry we won’t be able to be there any more and one of them assured me that us being out there had nothing to do with the decision to move the Army recruiting office; those decisions, he said, are made by the military strictly according to demographics, results and projections.
The troops supporters present were all saddened by this turn of events since we all love our military and enjoy showing our support for them each week. These core supporters deserve a HUGE THANKS for never failing to show up regardless of heat, cold, rain, wind, harassment, mocking and in-your-face yelling (thanks to the anti’s and some “occupiers”) — you know who you are! You have regularly and tirelessly joined in this show of appreciation to our current military and veterans over these many years. I am so very blessed to have you as friends and fellow supporters. I appreciate you, and the recruiters, troops and veterans do too! As always, I want to let every single veteran, family member of veterans, those currently serving and their familes how very appreciative I am for their service to our amazing Nation. We remain free, prosperous and peaceful because of YOU; Thank you.
Although we will no longer be on Speedway each Wednesday morning, we will not cease our rallies in support of our military. We will once more organize and have regular support rallies at other local military locations; we will join other support groups in being present for deployment and homecoming ceremonies; and we will help at events honoring veterans. “Support America/Support Our Troops” will continue to look for and take advantage of opportunities to stand in support and gratitude for the U.S. Military.
So, as you drive around town on any given day and time, especially near a military facility, look for the flags, banners and signs. Stop and join us to say, “Thank You!” Indeed, troop support in Tucson will continue!