By Linda Taaffe

Los Altos City employees Greg Asley and Mike Beard put on a patriotic display for local commuters on Highway 85 at the Homestead Road overpass in Cupertino Monday, waving the U.S. flag during a two-man rally in support of the military that appeared to draw more support than disdain.

Both former U.S. Marines said they wanted to show their support for those willing to risk their lives for the United States as part of their job in the military.

“I’m not for war, I’m for supporting the troops,” said Beard who served during Desert Storm.

“The fact that they’re waiting to go over there and risk their lives … we need to show them, ‘We support you guys.’”

Asley and Beard have been the only ones to hold a rally in support of the Bush administration in the Los Altos area since the threat of war in recent months.

The two public works maintenance workers said they were representing their peers in this week’s rally.

“… Just singing Kumbaya isn’t going to make evil go away,” Asley said.

“That’s not going to happen.”