While many Charleston-area residents ran the bridge or dropped by Summerville's Flowertown festival Saturday, about 100 people showed up on James Island to spend some time for what they believed to be a greater cause.

MIC SMITH/STAFF Lyn Calahorrano of Mount Pleasant prays during the start of the Rally for Freedom at the James Island town hall Saturday.

The town of James Island held a Rally for Freedom at its town hall on Camp Road to show support for the American military and the war in Iraq. At noon on a beautiful day, Lyn Calahorrano of Mount Pleasant clutched a flag that displayed an eagle and the word "freedom."

"I came here today because of all the kids and incredible people in Iraq who chose to join the service," she said. "In my day, people were drafted, and it just breaks my heart to see people saying they support the troops and they're protesting."

The crowd of veterans, military family members, current military members, firefighters and children gathered under a canvas tent to hear testimonies of other veterans and remarks by local leaders.

A group of fourth graders sang patriotic tunes, such as the "Battle Cry of Freedom" and "Anchors Aweigh."

"People who are here need to be here," said state Rep. John Graham Altman, R-Charleston. "They're the people who want to be here."

Surrounded by placards and crosses made of Popsicle sticks that represented the American dead in the Iraqi war, James Island Mayor Mary Clark led the ceremony, which concluded with a 1.3-mile walk around Liberty Triangle.

Joey Douan told of how he served in Vietnam because he thought it was a country "crying out for help." He said he sees the same in the people in Iraq. Douan told of how he was spit upon in California when he returned from the war, and how a taxi driver in Charleston that same day told him, "You don't owe me, son. I owe you."

"If we don't protect our freedom, no one will have any freedom," Douan said.

Before the walk began, the names of those killed in Iraq were read. Many in the crowd shed tears as each name was mentioned.

Although Calahorrano doesn't have any siblings or children serving in Iraq, she doesn't quite see it that way.

"I think they're all my family," she said. "They're all Americans, like me."

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