By RINDY METCALF

Staff Writer

The Student Government Association encourages students, faculty and members of the Ruston community to show support for American troops in Iraq at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Lady of the Mist for "Paint the Town Red, White and Blue."

Justin Adcock, SGA vice president and a senior marketing major, is organizing the event and said its purpose is to show support for and encourage troops overseas.

"Last year around this time, we did something called 'Paint the Town Red, White and Blue,' where Tech students went to businesses around Ruston and decorated windows with patriotic sayings and encouragement for our troops overseas," Adcock said.

With the ongoing struggle in Iraq, troops have shown signs of diminishing morale and Tech students want to send a message of love and support for those stationed in that area, Adcock said.

"A lot of times all they hear is the bickering on TV," he said. "We want to encourage them and let them know we are still thinking about them."

The SGA will provide supplies such as yellow ribbons, red, white and blue window chalk and American flags.

Jennifer Porter, SGA president and a senior marketing major, said the purpose of the event is not to show support for the war, but to show support for the troops involved in it.

"Morale is down," Porter said. "A lot of American troops were supposed to come home recently, but they found out they needed to stay."

Porter said the SGA wants to let the troops know they are supported and appreciated.

Ashley McGarity, the SGA's Panhellenic senator and a sophomore biology major, said "Paint the Town Red, White and Blue" is a great opportunity for students to come together and support the troops overseas.

"It will help to give them strength and knowledge that we are praying for them and appreciate their dedication in serving our country," McGarity said.

Participation forms will be available in organizational boxes, and any individual who wishes to participate must pick up a form from the SGA office, located in Tolliver Hall.

Forms must be returned to the SGA office by 5 p.m. Tuesday to ensure a sufficient amount of supplies and an accurate count of participants.