SAN CLEMENTE : A Can’t-Wait Rally Planned for Troops

On the night President Bush announced the liberation of Kuwait, this city erupted into dozens of spontaneous, emotional celebrations on street corners throughout the city.

On Saturday, a more organized but probably no less emotional rally will be held to commemorate the efforts of Gulf War troops, starting at noon near the intersection of Avenida Del Mar and Ola Vista.

“This is for the sons and daughters, the mothers and fathers of all the Marine families living here who are coming back,” said Teri Todd, a mortgage company owner who is organizing the celebration. “This started out as an organized rally, but it’s turning into a homecoming.”

Todd said she hopes that some of the returning troops will be home in time to participate.

Relatives who have received phone calls from service members in Saudi Arabia told her that some troops may be back “as soon as (today) or Friday,” she said.

The rally will bring together Marine families living in the city, several Marines from nearby Camp Pendleton and local residents to celebrate the impending return of service people from the Gulf, Todd said.

The festivities will include music by the San Clemente High School band and refreshments and decorations donated by local merchants.

“There won’t be any speakers,” Todd said. “We’re just going to get together, hold hands and sing together. The men and women in the Gulf have done an outstanding job, and we want to let them know it.”

The rally will be held without the official sanction of City Hall. The City Council was scheduled Wednesday night to vote on whether to hold a parade in honor of Gulf troops.

Many citizens said they are glad to hear that an independent rally is being organized in the meantime.