VALENCIA DRIVERS HONK IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENT.

Byline: Amy Raisin  Staff Writer

VALENCIA - Despite his belief that the conflict with Iraq should have been resolved in 1991, 38-year-old Gulf War veteran Lloyd Swanson Jr. joined hundreds at a rally Saturday in support of American troops.

``We should have continued toward Baghdad back (in 1991),'' said Swanson, a Valencia resident who served in the Army. ``I think if we (had) done that, this (Iraqi) government would have collapsed. But I support what's happening now. This is a fight for our survival.''

Flag-waving supporters of all ages filled every corner of the Valencia Boulevard/McBean Parkway intersection for about three hours Saturday, their ``Support America's Troops'' signs eliciting a steady chorus of honking horns from passing motorists.

Organized by a handful of women from the Santa Clarita Valley Republican Headquarters, the rally - billed as pro-military, pro-president - drew at least 500 participants, many wearing red, white and blue hats and shirts.

One Vietnam veteran tossed an Iraqi flag off the curb and watched, to the delight of many, as cars ran it over and left it in tatters.

``In the '60s, all (America) had was antiwar demonstrations. But people need to be aware that we weren't just baby killers,'' said Vern Pera, who had served in the Army in Vietnam. ``People are able to do what they want (today) because of what we did in past wars. This is about freedom.''

There was, however, a group of people at the edge of the rally who proudly held antiwar posters, their T-shirts emblazoned with peace signs. The number of antiwar demonstrators peaked at about 30 people but some stayed - despite being called unpatriotic - until the end.

``We came out here today because we wanted to show that even in conservative Santa Clarita, there are still some people who are pro-peace and antiwar,'' said Newhall resident Samantha Fernandez, 18. ``We also want to get the young voice out there, show that the younger people do care what's happening.''

U.S. Rep. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon, who represents Santa Clarita, showed up for the rally along with Cameron Smyth, the city's mayor.

Many supporters said they would prefer to solve the crisis peacefully but feared past atrocities - like those committed in the Holocaust - are possible if Saddam Hussein is not stopped.

Betty Lanning, one of the rally's organizers, said her 26-year-old son, a sergeant in the Air Force, was deployed overseas on Friday. Because of security concerns, her son was not allowed to tell her where we was headed.

``I worry, of course. But I know I would go over there if I could,'' Lanning said. ``This is what happened with Hitler. We all wonder how that could have happened, but if we don't do something now we could be wondering the same thing in 50 years.

``If we don't go and save our country, (antiwar protesters) may not have the freedom to protest in the future.''

CAPTION(S):

5 photos

Photo:

(1 -- ran in SAC edition only) Demonstrators wave to passing motorists Saturday at a rally in Valencia in support of the president and American troops.

(2 -- ran in SAC edition only) U.S. Rep. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, shows his stand on the U.S. military.

(3 -- 4; 4 -- ran in SAC edition only) Above and at right, demonstrators wave to show support for President George W. Bush and the U.S. military during Saturday's rally at Valencia Boulevard and McBean Parkway. The Valencia event drew an estimated 500 participants.

(5) A line of pro-Bush supporters is reflected on the side of a van passing the rally organized by a few GOP members on Saturday.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer