For one day, Bakesfield could not be divided.
At the Bakersfield Unites for the Stars and Stripes rally Sunday at The Marketplace, residents showed their unwavering patriotism while enjoying a host of musically eclectic bands. Several hundred people attended the event.
The rally attracted young and old, veteran and non-veteran, to show support for U.S. troops abroad, especially loved ones serving in Iraq. Several local Clear Channel radio stations and KERO-TV 23 sponsored the day full of tributes, dedications and support for the men and women in the military and the families they left at home.
The event also featured a booth to record video messages to troops, a wall that invited people to fill its space with handwritten personal messages and donation booths that sold patriotic wares such as American flags and T-shirts commemorating the rally. A gaggle of bands, including local product Mento Buru, the Mike Montano Blues Band, various local church choirs and more provided musical entertainment.
Adam Jones, 20, welcomed the ardent community support. This was the third annual Stars and Stripes rally, but the first for Jones.
“This is my first one. Someone notified me about it, and they’re actually playing today, and I decided to come out and suppport the band and suppport the troops,” Jones said. “I think we have a lot of patriotism in this town, and it’s good to see that everyone’s coming out to support.”
The event made Jones think about the ways he could contribute to the community. He said he has friends who are currently in Iraq and the surrounding areas.
“I donate money. I have tons of friends. I always show them that I care. They’re always in my prayers, and I hope they come back as soon as possible,” he said.
Although new to Bakersfield, Wayne Olson, 46, could sense the togetherness and the degree of the community’s commitment to get involved.
“We wave the flag. (It’s about) clapping, whistling and just being with people that feel the same way I do,” Olson said.
Mayor Harvey Hall was on hand at the event casually conversing with attendees. He spoke of the importance of having these kinds of events.
“The event is to be able to show the caring and positive attitude of Bakersfield” and what average citizens can do, Hall said. “By donations, by spirit, you know there are families in the audience today, they can hear the air of support by being here and knowing that Bakersfield supports their loved ones who are fighting for our country.”
The lasted from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., concluding with a bombastic fireworks show that lit up the night sky much like Francis Scott Key would have seen it as he was writing “The Star-Spangled Banner”: “It gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.”
The fireworks illuminated sporadic explosions of light as video montages played while Old Glory hung majestically over the crowd.
“I’ve lived in Bakersfield all my life, and I’ve always known Bakersfield and the people of Bakersfield to be very caring people,” Hall said. “I think this is just another example. It’s ongoing. Every day. there are more and more things that people do in this community to do for others because they care,” he said.