Iraq veteran attends "Support the Troops"

rally in Nanuet

By ALICE GOMSTYN
THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: October 21, 2007)

NANUET - An Iraq war veteran considering a run for Congress joined some one dozen people at a "Support the Troops" rally at Middletown Road and Route 59 yesterday.

Kieran Michael Lalor, 31, of Peekskill, who served in Nasiriya in southern Iraq for six months as a corporal with the Albany-based Fox Company of the 25th Marine regiment, said he had organized earlier "Support the Troops" rallies in Westchester County and had also attended a rally in Dutchess County.

The Wappingers Falls native, who is considering running for the 19th Congressional District seat next year, attended yesterday's rally with his wife and two young daughters.

"I'm here because I support the troops and the mission," Lalor said. "I think those things go hand in hand. I don't think you can have one without the other. Saying you support the troops and saying you don't support the mission - It's like saying I'm a Yankees fan, but I want them to lose."

"I think the mission is a good one," he later added. "We cannot let threats grow overseas."

Dan Clifford, who held a fake rat yesterday that he said represented anti-war advocates, said he was glad Lalor came to the rally.

"I think he tremendously validates our position," said Clifford, 46, of New City.

Across the intersection, a group of peace protesters found fault in Lalor's position.

"If you really support the troops, I don't think you can be uncritical about putting them in situations when they are in harm's way unnecessarily," said David Mitchell, 64, of Spring Valley.

Peter Titus, 57, said the anti-war group's aim had nothing to do with supporting or opposing American troops.

"All of our firepower is directed to Washington, D.C., and the policymakers who have led us into an illegal and criminal war of aggression," he said.

People on both sides of the Iraq war debate have stood at Route 59 and Middletown Road with signs that have included "Honk for Peace," "Get Out of Iraq," "Support Our Troops" and "We're fighting the insurgency at home" for more than four years.

Two weeks earlier, Iraq war veteran John Miranda, 23, of Chestnut Ridge also stood at the intersection - with the anti-war group.

Lalor, a recent graduate of Pace Law School, said he believed the media devoted too little coverage to Iraq war veterans who support the war. He said he believed that a majority of Iraq veterans supported the war.

"They understand it was hard work, but at the end, we did a good thing," he said.

Reach Alice Gomstyn at agomstyn@lohud.com or 845-578-2420.