Members of the organization Pro-America Spirit waved U.S. flags at passing drivers and collected donations for holiday care packages for soldiers overseas, at one point breaking into a rendition of "God Bless America" as cars roared past. Just a few feet away, a handful of independent anti-war protesters crowded onto traffic islands and held up signs with messages such as "Love America—Hate Bush's Lies."

"We're not here to convince anyone" of a political message, said Dave Roche, 31, an Almaden Valley Realtor who helped organize the event. "It's about showing our troops that, no matter what, they have our support."

Los Altos resident Renata Carico founded Pro-America Spirit after coming across a war protest in March at this intersection between Westfield Shoppingtown Valley Fair and Santana Row. After a "colorful" debate with the protestors, she decided to start her own rally.

San Jose resident Fannie Witteveen, 79, has been coming out for seven months to rally for the troops. "I love my country," she said, "and I think I should let other people know what I believe."

As a Pro-America Spirit member circulated through the crowd on Saturday, taping video segments to mail to soldiers overseas, she turned and beamed for the camera.

"Be careful," she said, "and know that we love you!"

Earl Edwards, 64, remembers well the name-calling and harassment he was subjected to when he returned from fighting in Vietnam. No soldier should have to go to war without the support of their country, he said.

"We Vietnam vets will always support our troops," he said, grasping a 7-foot flagpole topped by a yellow plastic ribbon. "It gives a tremendous morale boost to the service people."

Roche, a former Navy officer, said that images of pro-troops rallies and packages from home can help assuage the hardships for soldiers fighting war in a desert terrain.

"These people are out there in the middle of the desert in 120-degree, 140-degree heat," said Roche. "They're in danger every second of the day. I think it's important to send them the message that we back home appreciate the sacrifices they're making."