“Everybody has the right to disagree and express an opinion,” Joshpe said, “but for a lot of people, it must be discouraging to see antiwar demonstrations. I think it’s important rather than seeing protests at home, the troops can see American flags and support.”

Harvard Divinity School student Bronwen C. McShea ’02, said she came to the rally because her brother Brendan is in Iraq with the U.S. Army.

“Having a brother in the military, I definitely wanted to be behind the war 100 percent,” she said.

McShea was wearing a yellow support-the-troops ribbon pinned to her red jacket. She had covered her hair with a bandana emblazoned in red, white and-blue.

McShea said that she had been upset by Harvard antiwar demonstrations such as a walkout that took place after the war began.

“While Harvard students have a lot of concern for people, I see a lot of childishness in the antiwar demonstrations,” she said. “It’s people overseas who secure their freedom to speak out.”

Carrying a sign that read “Liberate the Oppressed,” McShea also said that she hoped the rally would draw attention to the evils of Saddam Hussein’s rule.

“I’ve been surprised by how little concern people have for what the Iraqi people live under,” she said.

Gaining numbers from people passing through the Boston Common, the group boarded the T and continued their demonstration in Harvard Square.

“We’ll see if we get as warm a reception there,” Silvestri said. “I think we will.”

The rain didn’t let up, but many motorists in Harvard Square greeted the rallyers with honks and waves.

First-year HLS student Mark J. Barrera said he thought the rally had been a success.

“It was much tougher coming out today, and I think it will make a statement,” he said. “If people are risking their lives, it’s the least we can do to show up rain or shine to support them.”