Rowdy throng cheers Bush like rock star
1-31-02
By ALLISON PERKINS, Staff Writer
News & Record
GREENSBORO -- For Brian Green, President George W. Bush's visit to Winston-Salem on Wednesday was nothing short of historical deja vu.
Bush rallies big crowd with anti-terror theme
Photo gallery
In front of a packed audience, the president continued his campaign to rally the American people against evil, terrorism and countries that harbor terrorists.
"He's doing whatever it takes," said Green, a Kernersville alderman who was among the excited crowd at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. "General Nathanael Greene stood in North Carolina and did the same thing. Whatever it takes to get the British out. Here we are again.
"Whatever it takes to get rid of the terrorists."
Green, and most of the crowd, seemed more than happy to stand behind their leader.
When President Bush entered, he received a rock star's welcome. People didn't stand, they jumped to their feet, screaming, applauding and waving. U.S. flags popped into the air. Men in suits clambered onto chair seats with cameras in hand.
As the cheering began to wane, a man yelled, "You're the man!" Bush smiled sheepishly, and the crowd went wild again.
Bush motioned to the crowd to calm down. Minutes later, when he was formally introduced by Winston-Salem Police Chief Linda Davis, the crowd exploded into applause again.
Camera flashes popped like lightening. Bush stood back and basked in it, taking time to look in each direction, smile and wave.
Rows of police, firefighters and EMT workers yelled and motioned No. 1 with their fingers. Later, Bush commended their dedication to the country's preparation to defend itself against evil.
"I think it's long overdue that uniformed services be recognized for what we do everyday," said Dave Lockwood, a Forsyth County paramedic. "What happened in New York City could happen anywhere, and we realize that and try to prepare for that."
John Lucas, deputy fire chief for Winston-Salem Fire and Rescue, said, "Just to be included in that speech makes us happy." As Bush spoke, he was interrupted at least five times by standing ovations.
"It's great to be here to see him in person," said Forsyth County Sheriff Ron Barker from his third row seat. "He's such a wonderful guy.
"I'm like most Americans, I've fallen in love with the man," Barker said. "He's certainly on the right track as far as I'm concerned."
While Bush spoke, lines of ticket holders for the event still streamed outside the coliseum. There was no room left.
Near the coliseum parking lot's entrance, about a dozen protesters gathered with signs and chants to oppose the pep rally inside.
"We couldn't stay away. There has to be a presence here that says not everyone agrees with this war effort," said Joan Walsh of Durham, who represented North Carolinians for Alternatives to War.
Behind her, protesters shouted, "Hey, hey, ho, ho, this racist war has got to go."
"I think as the war effort drags on there will be a lot more of us out here," Walsh said.
Inside, Bush did not talk just of war. He also spoke of Americans being part of a responsible society and challenged each person to commit to 4,000 hours of community service during their lifetimes.
"In the conflict between good and evil, there isn't much middle ground -- like none," Bush said, inciting giggles from the crowd. "At home, we can fight evil with acts of goodness.
"We can overcome the evil in our society by doing something to help someone," he said.
Elon University senior Trey Bailey said the speech was moving.
"You could tell everyone in there was motivated," Bailey said. "It made me want to go volunteer."
As Bush left, he moved through the front of the crowd shaking hands and posing for photos.
Reveling in the crowd's energy, he closed his appeal like a rock star: "Fight on, America! I love ya!"
Even those farthest from the stage did not move to leave until Bush disappeared behind a curtain. As he did, the crowd burst into applause one last time, as though hoping for an encore.
As the crowd headed home and drove past the handful of protesters, the groups shouted polite insults to each other.
One man leaned out his window and yelled, "Remember 9/11! Remember what happened!"
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