WASHINGTON -- Iraq war veterans and families of soldiers who were killed in action gathered at the National Mall yesterday in a small but boisterous display of support for American troops and the war, hoping to use their voices, if not their numbers, to counter a weekend of anti-war protests in the capital.
Grieving but proud parents and wives joined wounded veterans on a stage within blocks of the U.S. Capitol to applaud President Bush and the 2 1/2 -year-old military mission in Iraq. They portrayed the war as an extension of the fight against terrorism and accused war protesters of hurting the morale of American soldiers.
