Tribune staff

Entertainment, patriotism and togetherness will mix in the evening air Thursday as Ironton area residents celebrate America and its military troops.

A community support rally sponsored by The Ironton Tribune will begin at 7 p.m. on the steps of the Lawrence County Courthouse in Ironton.

The event will feature patriotic entertainment and brief inspirational messages by area church leaders and veterans. A candlelight ceremony will be featured on the Fourth Street side of the courthouse steps.

"We hope this event will help our community rally around the common cause of supporting our troops," said organizer T. Hogan Haas, an Ironton native and Tribune business manager.

The Rev. Dr. Mark E. Lail, senior pastor of the Ironton First Nazarene Church, will emcee Thursday's event.

VFW Post 8850's color guard will present the flag and the Pledge of Allegiance. Entertainment will include the Singing Kernels of Ashland, Ky., and Marty Smith playing the bagpipes.

Songs scheduled to be performed include: "The Star Spangled Banner," "America the Beautiful" and "God Bless America."

The event is free and open to the public.

"Now, more than ever, we need to show our appreciation for our troops," Tribune publisher Kevin Cooper said. "Regardless of one's feeling about the ongoing war with Iraq, our support for America's troops needs to be unwavering."

Special thanks goes to Weber's Florists and Gifts, the Ironton First Nazarene Church, the Lawrence County Commissioners, the City of Ironton, Mayor Robert Cleary and Sue Lunsford. Each is helping make the event possible.