By Ramesh C.Reddy
Pittsburgh Standard

September 01, 2008

On a bright sunny afternoon of Sat, Aug 30, 08, thousands including myself gathered at the Consol Energy Park in Washington, PA to rally behind Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain of Arizona and his vice-presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska adhering to the slogan, ‘Country First’

Photo by Ramesh C. Reddy

College Republicans from the University of Pittsburgh and surrounding areas who decided to forgo the season opener of the Pittsburgh Panthers against Bowling Green came to the rally to support Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin before the National Republican Convention was to begin on Mon, Sept 01, 08 in Minnesota.

Photo by Ramesh C. Reddy

Members of the College Republicans were very excited not only to be able to hear from Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin but to have front row seats close to the action. They heard from different speakers before Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin arrived.

One of the speakers spoke about two sacrifices that meant a lot to her. One of the sacrifices happened years ago on the Cross of Calvary and another sacrifice happened when McCain endured for his country as a POW in Vietnam.

Before McCain and Palin could arrive on the Straight Talk Express, the crowds were treated to message and music of country star John Rich of ‘Big and Rich’ who sang ‘Walk the Line’, ’The Man’ and ’Raisin’ McCain’ to the uproar and satisfaction of the crowd preceded by other musicians.

Photo by Ramesh C. Reddy

Former Pittsburgh Steelers's player and multiple Super Bowl winner Lynn Swann motivated the crowds to be for McCain-Palin instead of Obama-Biden. He was later joined by former Pennsylvania Governor and former Department of Homeland Security head Tom Ridge who encouraged the crowds to remember that there is no better candidate who would put the ’Country First’ than Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin.

I was so excited to be part of the McCain-Palin rally and see Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin come and go in the Straight Talk Express as they waved to me and passed me by.

Ridge introduced McCain to the crowds. McCain finally spoke after 6:00 p.m. giving a wonderful introduction to his newly selected running mate Gov. Palin.

Photo by Ramesh C. Reddy

Palin energized the crowds who waved terrible towels with the McCain logo on it, signs that read, ’McCain-Palin’, ’Country First’, and ’Women for McCain’.

The McCain and Palin family finally left after motivating the crowds to get involved in this presidential election anyway they could to help out the McCain-Palin ticket especially by voting on Nov 04, 2008.