GRAND JUNCTION — Both Dick Cheney supporters and anti-war forces let the vice president know how they felt Friday with posters and flag-waving as his motorcade sped by 26 and G 1/2 roads on the way to a private fundraiser for a Republican colleague.

Cheney smiled and waved to them as his limo zoomed by.

The vice president and his wife, Lynne, traveled to Grand Junction for two hours Friday to raise money for Bob Schaffer, a Republican running for U.S. Senate. A three-term former congressman, Schaffer seeks the seat now held by retiring Wayne Allard. Democrat Congressman Mark Udall also seeks the Senate seat.

The $5,000-per-couple fundraiser was held at the home of Craig and Jeannean Springer.

Along the route, dozens of children attending Holy Family School lined G Road to welcome the vice president and his wife. They waved flags, smiled and waved to the motorcade. On the return trip, the vice president slowed the vehicles and requested that White House photographers capture the moment.

Still, as expected, anti-war protesters lined a block of the rural roads leading to the Springers’.

Also not unexpected, two protesters were detained by Grand Junction Police for obstructing a public road.

Cheney is a “war criminal. He is the architect of the war,” Jacob Richards said. “He has the blood of 4,000 troops on his hands.”

“It’s been five years,” Mallory Rice said. “He is a war criminal, and he should be held responsible.

“It’s morally wrong to make money from people dying,” Rice said.

On the other side of the issue were four young men who rode their American-made pickups to a high point on G Road.

“Initially, I wanted to visit the vice president, but we’re not on the A-list,” said J.T. Venema.

“We wanted to show Mr. Cheney was welcome here and also to support the vice president,” said Grant Thompson.

Before the crowd of protesters showed up, Mike Burr, pastor of the Koinonia Church, was the first to stand at the corner of 26 and G 1/2 roads.

Burr asked whether the Republican Party would reimburse local authorities for providing the security detail.

“It’s a relevant question,” Burr said.

Burr said he protested because at least 500,000 Iraqis and 4,000 Americans have died in the Iraq war.

“There are 4,000 children of Americans who will never be able to hug them, their children, their spouses, their parents,” Burr said. “There are 30,000 who will live with this disabled forever, and it’s all because of lies.”

Cheney is “obviously the power behind George Bush,” Burr said, and Cheney has “personally profited immensely from the debacle.”

Furthermore, he added, “My children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be paying for this war long after I’m dead.”

Protester Jacob Carpenter said he got punched in the face by a man wearing a flak jacket who was also taking photos of the protesters.

Protesters carried signs that said “Impeach Cheney,” “Murderer,” Let’s Surge for Peace,” “Go Back to Halliburton,” “Wars are Economic Development,” “1-20-09” and others.

Donald Flynn carried a sign that said “9-11 Conspiracy Dick Knew,” and dipped his hands in red paint to signify blood.

Mesa State College student Stacy Bjerk donned a blue body bag with a sign that said, “No More Body Bags.”

“It speaks more clearly because people are able to see what the troops come home in every day,” Bjerk said. “It sucks.”

Deese Dancy held a sign that had a photo of her three sons, Joshua, Zachary and Micah.

“Send them to college, not to war,” the sign said.

Reach Marija B. Vader at mvader@gjfreepress.com.