COLUMBUS - Several hundred people brought shaving cream, toothpaste and other troop supplies to a rally Friday and went home with ribbons demonstrating support for those fighting the war with Iraq.

The crowd cheered Gov. Bob Taft's plea to display the red, white and blue ribbons at their homes. His office ran out of the 1,000 ribbons they brought to the half-hour rally at the Statehouse in downtown Columbus.

Penny Redman, 51, traveled the 30 miles from her hometown of Chillicothe to join a crowd estimated by the Ohio State Highway Patrol at 350 people. She thinks such rallies are important because of the opposition that has arisen over the showdown with Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. "We need to show our support for the troops," Redman said. "They're all young kids."

The shaving cream and other personal care products collected at the rally will be sent by Taft's office for the troops. Taft said he respected the views of those opposed to the war but that now was the time for Americans to put their personal views aside. "We respect their right to protest. In fact, that's what our men and women are fighting for in the Middle East. They're fighting to protect our freedoms, including the right to protest," Taft said. "Today I think is a day when all Americans should show our support for our troops, for the sacrifices they are making."

The Associated Press