Hundreds of people took part Wednesday in a protest marking the fifth anniversary of the start of the Iraq war. The Tucson Peace Action Coalition sponsored the march and vigil Downtown.

James S. Wood / Arizona Daily Star

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5th year of war brings supporters and opponents to Tucson streets

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In Tucson, 40 to 50 supporters of U.S. troops and the Bush administration's conduct of the war in Iraq demonstrated peacefully on Wednesday, the fifth anniversary of the war's start.

Across the street from the demonstration in front of a Midtown military recruiting station, a handful of protesters faced off with anti-war signs.

Numerous motorists driving past those backing the war honked in support.

Several of those demonstrating had sons or other relatives in the military deployed in Iraq.

"I appreciate our freedoms here and the peace we have, and I know that peace is not free," said Pat Sexton, 56, a native of Guatemala whose two sons are U.S. Marines — one of whom served in Iraq five years ago.

She said she stands in front of the recruiting station on East Speedway near Tucson Boulevard every Wednesday in support of the military action.

"In Guatemala, I almost got disappeared because I was helping a union movement," Sexton said.

Others among the group said they came out to make sure those on the front lines knew their fellow citizens supported them.

"We didn't have much support for us, so it's very important that this generation of warriors know there are Americans who do care," said Vietnam veteran Rick Rankin, 60, of Tucson.

The U.S. will remain in Iraq "as long as it takes," Rankin added. "If we cut and run like we did in 'Nam, it's not going to be a good thing."

Meanwhile, across the street, architect Jody Gibbs held a sign saying, "34,000 dead and wounded." He was among six anti-war demonstrators present Wednesday morning.

"Polls show 77 percent of the American people oppose the war," he said.

Gibbs said the U.S. was not attacked by Iraq, and nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction were not found in Iraq by U.N. inspectors.