This is the article & photo of the Marine Corps League Members at the 400th consecutive "Friday Vigil" at Monument Terrace in downtown Lynchburg, VA.  

This is a story of patriotism and dedication by a group of Veterans who
decided to show our support to our troops.  It began 7 1/2 years ago when
a group I like to call the "peace-niks" decided to demonstrate against
the USA's involvement in Iraq.
They chose to do this on a Friday at Monument Terrace in downtown
Lynchburg.  Monument Terrace is considered sacred grounds to most of us. 
It is where we Honor Veterans from the area dating back one hundred and
fifty years.  Needless to say we were incensed that this sacred spot be
the location of a demonstration against the very troops that continue to
give them the right to demonstrate.  They were really against the USA's
involvement in Iraq.  This was especially personal for me as I have a
Marine Grandson who has done two tours in Iraq already.  
 
The next Friday a group of Marines from the MCL here, led by Sgt. Steve
Bozeman, a Viet Nam Veteran mustered at the Monument Terrace with our
Flags waving and proceeded to out demonstrate the peace-nik
demonstrators.  After a few weeks of this they decided to call it quits. 
Steve Bozeman is a Marines Marine by any measure.  He is the recipient of
two Purple Hearts from his service in 'Nam, a Charter Member of our
Detachment 759 and a certified "hard charger" if a Marine is in need or
you want something done.  He is the Marine that always runs the Marine
Marathon while carrying the USA Flag!  He is very active in a number of
Veterans activities.
 
This week, July 3rd will be 394 CONSECUTIVE Fridays that we have had
Veterans there to show our support for our troops serving worldwide.  We
have not missed a Friday in nearly 7 1/2 years.  We have been there
thorough rain, sleet, snow and some scorching hot days and we intend to
be there until our deployed troops come home!    We have Veterans from
every branch of service and everyone hoists a flag ... We have US Flags
and flags of every branch, we have a ships bell given by one of our
deceased Navy Veterans that we toll at noon in Honor of those who have
made the supreme sacrifice.  One WWII Vet left his Combat boots &
helment, and we have a sign that says "HONK IF YOU SUPPORT OUR TROOPS" 
... Each Friday the cast changes some; We have Veterans from WWII's
Battle of the Bulge to Korea, to Viet Nam, through other skirmishes and
up to our current troop deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Some
Veterans are there EVERY Friday; others when they can make it; many
Veterans Wives and other civilian members bring their children and
grandchildren to explain to them just what we are doing there.  It is an
impressive lesson in History to the younger generation.
 
The Monument Terrace Friday Vigil has become a community unifying and
rallying event.  Many community members stop by to say Thank You for
doing this.  Many go out of their way to drive by and honk and wave.  It
certainly is one of the most gratifying and heart warming events that we
have put together in some years now.  
It makes you proud to participate, to be a Veteran and to be an American.
 
I send this along with my permission for you to use or edit in any way
you see fit if you deem it a newsworthy project.  I hope that this can be
used in SEMPER FI for all MCL Members to see?  We are very proud of these
Veterans.  We invite you or your staff down any Friday.  If the USA has
troops deployed, we will be there!
 
Semper Fi,
 
Dale Wilson, Sr.
Sgt USMC
MCL LM-16165

Marines from Left to right: Kathy Plourde, Senior Vice Commandant of MCL; Loyd Woodford, Poundkeeper Of Military Order of Devil Dogs, Dave Lawson, Steve Bozeman, Bud Perry, Wally Gilbert, & John Carter