As many as 3,000 Bush supporters gathered Saturday near the President’s Central Texas ranch in a show of support for the administration and for the war in Iraq.

Rallies and vigils were held in several places.

Along Prairie Chapel Road, which leads to the Bush ranch, some of the President’s supporters gathered opposite anti-war protesters led by Cindy Sheehan of Vacaville, Calif. Law enforcement officers kept the two groups apart.

The confrontation was largely verbal, but there were reports of several arrests.

The “You Don’t Speak for Me, Cindy!” caravan delivered a large crowd of Bush supporters to Crawford for a rally, during which about 1,500 people changed “Cindy, go home!”

“How many more American soldiers are going to die because you are giving hope and encouragement to our enemies, “ one speaker said.

Although the crowd fell short of the 7,000 some organizers expected, the counter-protest was the largest and loudest since the start of Sheehan’s roadside vigil on Aug. 6.

Sheehan vows to remain in Central Texas until Wednesday, demanding a one-on-one meeting with the President about the death of her son, Casey, a 24-year-old 1st Cavalry Division soldier who was killed in 2004 in Iraq.

Counter demonstrators say instead of protesting the war, Sheehan should support the troops and their efforts.

Her protest has attracted national and international attention and generated more than a little local and national controversy.

Click Here To Read What Central Texans Have To Say About The Crawford Protests

Other anti-war demonstrators joined Sheehan’s vigil at “Camp Casey” while Bush supporters countered by erecting their own camp in downtown Crawford.

Dubbed “Fort Qualls,” it is named in honor of Temple Marine Lance Cpl. Louis Qualls, who died in action in Iraq.

Sheehan drew even more fire from Bush supporters when she appeared in a TV spot that aired on commercial and cable stations in the Central Texas market.

The group Gold Star Families for Peace paid for the ad time and also placed spots earlier this week on stations in Salt Lake City, Utah and Boise, Idaho, where the President made speeches defending the war and the need to keep U.S. troops in Iraq until conditions stabilize.

The group spent $67,000 this week to run the ad nationally on CNN and the Fox News Channel

Bush supporters, in response, produced their own ad this week featuring Louis Qualls’ father Gary, who accuses Sheehan of cruelty and challenges her to a debate.

Sheehan’s protest has attracted some high visibility supporters including folksinger Joan Baez and rebel musician Steve Earle.

The Rev. Al Sharpton will reportedly visit Camp Casey this weekend.

But the growing anti-Sheehan protest has drawn support from around the country as well.

Gregg Garvey of Keystone Heights, Fla., was among those who came to join the Bush supporters.

He lost his 23-year-old son to battle in Iraq in 2003.

"People have said, 'Enough is enough – enough Bush bashing,’” he said.

He says Sheehan’s protest "does not represent all of America."

Another group of pro-Bush demonstrators set up an encampment Thursday called “Camp Reality” and distributed 500 yard signs supporting Bush and the war effort, many of which quickly appeared on fences along Crawford-area roads.

Click Here For Louis Qualls Memorial Fund Web Site

Click Here For Move America Forward Web Site

Click Here For Gold Star Families For Peace Web Site

Click Here For White House Web Site

Click Here For Grassfire.Org Web Site