The parents of Marine Cpl. Adam Galvez will be focused on their son's funeral Wednesday, but they have a statement that will be read that morning at an American Legion rally in front of the Salt Palace.

Tony Galvez said Monday that he and his wife, Amy, were asked to attend the 8:30 a.m. rally. Instead, they spent half of Saturday trying to put on paper their thoughts on their son's death and the Iraq War.

"It was hard, because you're crying half the time," Galvez said about writing the statement.

On Wednesday, prior to the start of the American Legion's second day of its general session at its 88th annual national convention, Legion National Commander Tom Bock will speak in front of a crowd of Legionnaires that could reach 2,000, according to a Legion official. The Legion does not have a permit from Salt Lake City for the rally, but it's expected the crowd will be contained to Salt Palace property.

Bock plans to talk about the Legion's Resolution 169, "Support for the War on Terrorism," which passed at last year's national convention. Other speakers at the rally include Paul "Chief Wiggles" Holton, who has organized a separate rally for later in the day.

The Legion rally will conclude with Bock reading the Galvez statement, which Tony Galvez said talks about his son and expresses support for U.S. troops in Iraq.

Adam Galvez, 21, Salt Lake City, died Aug. 20 in Iraq when a roadside bomb exploded under his vehicle, killing him and two others.

Over the past week Tony and Amy Galvez have received support from all over the country, but they've also read some protest mail, saying their son died in vain and that the Iraq War is unjustified.

"It's ignorance," Tony Galvez said. "They don't get it — that's the bottom line. They don't understand that what they're saying is both hurtful to us ... and it's hurtful to our troops."

A viewing for Adam Galvez is scheduled for 5-8 p.m. today at McDougal's West Jordan Mortuary, 1861 W. 7800 South. The viewing will include a memorial set up in Cpl. Galvez's honor.

Funeral services have been set for 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Calvary Chapel of Salt Lake, 460 W. Centery Drive (4350 South). The Galvez family has asked that no one bring any cameras inside the chapel. A burial service at Camp Williams will follow the funeral.

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E-mail: sspeckman@desnews.com