In War on Terror, Three Village Has Two Sides ... of the Street

The message on either side of the street boils down to one phrase: support the troops. But the practical approach to this idea is where the difference in opinion lies for the North Country Patriots and the North Country Peace Group, the two groups which have been demonstrating for years at the corner of Route 25A, North Country Road and Bennetts Road.

Three Village resident Howard Ross is a veteran who supports America's war on terrorism. His North Country Patriots, which includes many veterans among its numbers and has recently been joined by some Tea Party supporters, believes in supporting American troops by supporting the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. On the north side of Route 25A, North Country Patriots sets up flags and posters showing pictures and news clippings from the September 11 terrorist attacks as a reminder of why the nation is fighting.

"I've got grandkids," Ross said. "I just hope this country stays safe."

One of his handmade signs reads, "Only a fool and a coward would not go to war and fight terrorism to keep his family safe."

Across the street on the south side of Route 25A, the North Country Peace Group also displays flags and posters – theirs encouraging peace. There are some veterans standing on this side of the street, too.

"We're saying support the troops and the best way is to get them out of there," said Setauket resident Susan Perretti, a member of the North Country Peace Group. "We hear the terrible stories that are coming back from this really unwinnable situation."

Part of the North Country Peace Group's opposition to the war is the amount of money being spent to fight it.

"It's really deplorable in this economy," Perretti said. "We need jobs. We need stronger communities."

This past weekend, campaign representatives for a handful of local political candidates took advantage of the demonstration to try and win some favor among those standing on the side of the North Country Patriots. None, however, ventured across the street to the side of the North Country Peace Group.

Both sides agree that citizen involvement is absolutely necessary for progress to be made. But along the way, it has been hard to avoid a certain amount of finger-pointing and name-calling.

"We'll never agree from one side of the street to the other," Ross said.