Around 100 rally for police, first responders, Veterans and military in downtown Brookville July 4

By John Estridge

About 100 people showed up on a hot, humid Independence Day on the Franklin County Courthouse lawn under a relentless sun to give honor to police, first responders, Veterans and military personnel.

Starting at noon people waved flags, held handmade signs and shouted. Many of those going by honked their horns or waved flags back at those lining the Main Street sidewalk.

It was a rally not to protest anything but to give honor, according to organizer Tom Carrow.

“I didn’t want to come out here and maybe start trouble with anyone,” Carrow said. “I just wanted to tell our police (first responders), active military and Veterans that they’re appreciated. There may be others who say you’re not, but we say you are. We’re here and we’re behind you and beside you.

“This isn’t as much of a negative reaction to things that are going on as a positive reinforcement to those who deserve it,” he continued. “That was my intent.”

Carrow said the police officers around the country are probably down emotionally over the events of the past month or so in America.

“I suspect that at least some are really feeling down,” Carrow said. “(They are) feeling like they’ve been taken advantage of, taken for granted. I don’t want that.”

Two weeks ago Carrow had the idea for a rally to honor police and others as the country has been wracked by protests against what some believe is systemic racism among the police and America itself. After he came up with the idea, he broadcast his intentions via Facebook. His pronouncements were shared on that venue as well as people telling others of the planned rally via word of mouth.

“The notion of getting together with other folks of like minds came to me two weeks ago,” Carrow said during the rally. “I thought ‘OK 4^th of July weekend is coming, and people would be available on a long weekend.’ So, if they want to, they could come out and join.”

Several times during the interview, Carrow emphasized the rally was not against anyone else but to show appreciation for those already mentioned. He said he understands the rallies against the police were set off by incidents, which were wrong, but those incidents do not represent the vast majority of police officers. And those working as police officers, first responders and in the military are often not appreciated and often are taken for granted, he said.

He said no one wants to be taken for granted. While the rally was not against anything, Carrow said it is very wrong to defund the police, as the police protect society.

 Robert Blair, a Vietnam War Veteran and one of those at the rally, said he also was not there to be against anything but to be there for police.

“I’m standing up for police,” Blair said. “I’m not protesting against anything.”

Carrow said there are a vast number of Americans who have been upset by the rioting, actions and the language used against police officers and others by those protesting against the police.

“I knew this (rally) would grow,” Carrow said. “Because I believe there is a tremendous built-up frustration with what’s going on. And all I had to do was say it out loud, and others would say ‘yes, that’s me, too.’ And I think we see that.”

According to Carrow, much of the main stream media are showing just one side of the way America is currently.

“I just saw the coverage as being very tilted to that side,” Carrow said. “And I just wanted to let those, who needed to hear it, to hear positive things as well.”

Children carried flags, handmade signs and played with dogs who were frolicking among those at the rally. Families gathered together during the rally.

Commissioner Tom Wilson, county council member Joe Sizemore and Brian Patterson, who is one of three Republicans running in the fall for county council at-large positions, were at the rally as well as school board member Terry Bryant.

Carrow said those people did not want to give speeches during the rally.

“Our friends in blue, brown and camo know that we’re behind them,” Carrow said. “We don’t need speeches to tell them that.”

Carrow led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Brookville Police Chief Terry Mitchum arrived about an hour after the rally started. He said he had been on call early Independence Day morning and had been out again later Saturday morning. Fourth of July weekend is one of the biggest weekends in the area for first responder calls as tens of thousands of people crowd into the Whitewater Valley recreational areas for the holiday. Thus, there is a need for police, EMS, fire and more.

One passing Franklin County Sheriff’s Department cruiser beeped its siren in recognition as it passed by on Main Street.

On June 17, seven or eight people showed up for a silent Black Lives Matter protest on Main Street by the courthouse.

Carrow said he was not surprised by Saturday’s crowd.

“There are a lot of patriots in this country,” Carrow said. “And a lot of times they feel like they don’t have a voice. It was an opportunity for them to show they agree with those principles, some of our founding principles, really.”