by Jose W. Ferraz
9th Grade

Students pass out fliers and hold the TFP standard.

It was about 3 o'clock on a Sunday afternoon when we pulled up to a small little-used parking lot. A flag-waving crowd surrounded a platform with a table, three chairs and big loudspeakers hooked up to a stereo system. This was the Gettysburg Pro-War rally which St. Louis de Montfort Academy attended alongside the American TFP. Our coordinator, Mr. Michael Whitcraft, had heard about the rally the night before and thought that it would be a good chance to spread a flier of the TFP's message entitled “Just War and the Pacifist Offensive on Sovereignty.” It had been published in the Washington Times in defense of our troops and President Bush's decision to go to war. It proves war can be just, and that pacifists are wrong in protesting the war. When we arrived at the rally, we set up that symbol of which we all are proud: the American Flag, as well as the scarlet standard for which the TFP is so well known.

The people at the rally numbered about three hundred. Most were either waving American flags or bearing signs saying, “Support Our Troops” or “Come Home Soon.” At first the crowd thought we were pacifists who had come to protest the gathering, but we speedily convinced them of the contrary. Mr. Whitcraft talked to many present; among them was the mayor of Gettysburg, whose family had helped found that historic town. Each generation of his family had served in the Armed Forces; he himself had served during World War II.

The rally ended shortly, leaving us very disappointed. One of the students then came up with the idea of heading to Lincoln Square (the center of Gettysburg) to pass out fliers. Mr. Whitcraft liked the idea and conceded. Some students put fliers under the windshield wipers of all the cars they passed, while others stopped at little shops asking permission to place fliers on the front counter. Both of these actions were very successful. Upon arriving at the square Mr. Whitcraft placed us at strategic points to more easily pass out fliers.

Aspects of the campaign in Gettysburg's Lincoln Square.

One of the members, Mr. Cesar Franco, wanted to buy a small American Flag to attract attention. He walked into a small shop and asked how much the small flags cost. The saleslady said, “They are $2.75, but for you $1.00.” Mr. Franco thanked her effusively and bought two flags. Passing out fliers as he waved one of the flags, he achieved much success in arousing the patriotic spirit of many a passerby.

The majority of the people we met were supportive of our campaign. The owners of two restaurants in the square asked us for a stack of flyers to give to their curious customers. One of the restaurants proudly displayed a gigantic yellow ribbon across its facade. Several cars stopped to ask what we were doing. After they stopped, the cars behind would become interested and also ask. We would offer them a flier and repeat a slogan such as, “God bless our troops,” or “Support our troops” to which they often responded with a thumbs up and a supportive toot of the horn. Toward the end a lady who ran a snack shop nearby was so touched by the campaign that she came out and kindly gave us a whole tray of softdrinks.

When the time came for us to leave, we formed ourselves in straight lines, prayed three Hail Marys, and ended by shouting the motto, “Tradition, Family, Property!... America, America, America!” Then we left very happy and satisfied that we had passed out one thousand flyers. Our reward was a stop at an ice cream shop, which made our efforts ever more satisfying.