Two words brought 200 people to a Knights of Columbus hall in Milford on Saturday. The words, "under God," as contained in the Pledge of Allegiance, attracted flag wavers and protesters to a rally outside the Bridgeport Avenue building. Those in favor in keeping "under God" in the pledge said it was more than a battle over words. "Under God is what we all fought for in Vietnam," said Al Beck of West Haven, a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America. He and other veterans attended the rally, organized by Tinto Knights of Columbus Council No. 47, to support keeping the pledge intact. A federal lawsuit filed by a Seattle atheist seeks to have the pledge banned in schools.

Six protesters at the Milford rally who want the words removed said it was more than a case of God, country and the flag. One of the protesters' signs read: " 'Under God' or 'for all' which is it?"

"What [the rally organizers] are doing," said Peter Cushnie, of Milford, "is excluding a large group of Americans, not only atheists, from the flag. They think the flag belongs only to them, not all of us. They have usurped the flag and the Pledge of Allegiance." The rally, which drew members of several Veterans of Foreign War posts, Vietnam veterans organizations, POW/MIA groups, and other patriotic organizations, featured speeches by Milford Mayor James L. Richetelli Jr. and Milford K of C Grand Knight Christopher Donnells.

Toward the end of the rally, Donnells asked a group of Cub Scouts to lead the

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crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. As veterans stood at attention, many in the crowd shouted when they came to the "under God" line.

"I'm a strong believer in 'under God,' " said John Scanlon, another Vietnam veteran who drove his flag-bedecked pickup truck from Newington to attend the rally.

The group of six protesters stood peacefully on the grassy strip between the Route 1 and the K of C property. During his opening speech, Donnells pointed out how often God is cited in official U.S. phrases, such when witnesses are asked to say "so help me God" when taking an oath in court.

"Every U.S, coin bears the words 'In God We Trust,'" Donnells said, "and the next time you look at an insurance policy expect to see the words "act of God." He told the crowd that nowhere in the U.S. Constitution does it stipulate there must be separation between church and state.

Richetelli defended the right people "to say what it is we believe in," and the right of the protesters to express their views.

Richetelli said while many people's view of God may differ, "most of us agree there is something greater than ourselves."

As the protesters engaged in loud debate with a few members of the crowd, Donnells led the group in singing "God Bless America."

The ceremony concluded with a playing of Taps and the lowering of the American flag.

The rally was organized in reaction to a lawsuit filed earlier this year by Seattle atheist Michael Newdow in U.S. District Court. The suit challenges the words "under God" and seeks to have saying the pledge banned in schools.

In September, a judge issued an opinion that the pledge violates the Establishment (of a state religion) clause of the Constitution.

In July, a U.S. District Court granted a motion by the Supreme Council of The K of C to intervene in the suit.

When the drive to get Congress to include "under God" in the pledge began in the early 1950s, the K of C was one of the most vocal religious groups urging it to pass the bill. It was adopted in 1954.