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MAF Presents: The Daily Blog
Here at the Move America Forward Daily Blog we chronicle the good news on the War on Terrorism you might
not have heard about on the evening news. We also shine the spotlight on those whose conduct against our
country and our military is unbecoming.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Rally Stop in Des Moines, Iowa
Day 4: Des Moines, Iowa
The “We Support the Troops and Their Mission” cross-country bus tour made it’s third stop on a very busy day 4 with a in front of the Iowa State capital in Des Moines. Deborah Johns and Joe Williams spoke to a sizable crowd, then took questions from media and supporters before heading to Rockford, Illinois for the final stop of the day.
In the crowd was Cheryl Thompson of Des Moines. Thompson has three brothers who served a total of 42 years in all three branches of the armed services. She also has a nephew in the army who has served in both Iraq and Afghanistan and another who has just finished bootcamp and will be sent to Fort Hood, Texas. Once there, he anticipates deployment to Iraq within six months. “You only hear about the bad, like car bombings. You never hear about the good things that happen over there. Our guys are doing a good job, and you don’t hear that.”
Catherine Lien, of West Des Moines, brought her two young sons, Travis and Tanner, out to sign a banner and send a message that her family does not support what Cindy Sheehan is doing. This is her first pro-military rally and came out because she believes things are getting out of hand.
Several people heard Deborah Johns’ radio appearance on WHO radio in Des Moines Thursday morning and decided to use their lunch break to support the troops. Vince Vanderneck, wearing a Rush Limbaugh “Club G’itmo” shirt came down because of a growing belief that we are doing the right thing in Iraq. Tim Phillips heard the interview and came down to see what Move America Forward was all about. “We need more people like Deborah Johns and Joe Williams,” he said. “The media just doesn’t cover it.” Marlin Darr, of Johnston, Iowa, wanted to stress that when your country is at war, there is no neutral ground. “You’re either in support of your country, or in support of the enemy.” Mr. Darr’s nephew served in Iraq north of Baghdad, training the Iraqi police force. He has returned home safely.
The tour makes its first stop east of the Mississippi River with a stop in Rockford, Illinois to conclude day 4. Banners will be available for signing with messages of support for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Move America Forward invites anyone to make a banner and bring it signed or unsigned to any tour stops.
Pro-Troop Rally Stop in Omaha, Nebraska
Day 4: Omaha, Nebraska
Day 4 of the “We Support the Troops and Their Mission” Bus Tour resumed with a stop in Omaha, Nebraska at Memorial Park. The beautiful scene provided an inspiring backdrop for the rally and press conference. Deborah Johns and Joseph Williams spoke to the crowd, and military families continued to turn out.
Brad Socha, of Omaha, wanted to come out to support the troops because he has two cousins in Iraq. One is scheduled to return in four weeks, while the other’s has not yet been determined.
Also coming out was Lorraine Denherder, and Gloria and Ryan Dahlquist. The trio came out to support the troops and the President. Denherder has a nephew in the Marines, who will be deployed to Iraq in January. “Nebraska is very behind the troops and President Bush,” they said. “If we want to keep our freedom, we better take care of business. We can fight terrorists over there or over here.”
Jim Breeling, also of Omaha, was quite outspoken. Sporting a Michael Savage T-shirt which read, “Liberalism is a mental disease,” he took time off from work to turn out and add some reason. “We [the supporters attending the rally] weren’t bused in here. We’re not paid to be here. We have jobs; we have lives. We’re not part of some group with an agenda. We’re Americans.”
Showing to represent his fellow members of the military was SA Jered Kotschwar, of Omaha. He is currently on leave from the United States Navy and is stationed at Great Lakes, Illinois. SA Kotschwar is a hospital corpsman, a job which works very closely with the Marines. This makes it highly likely that he will be deployed to Iraq in the very near future.
Day 4 will continue with a rally and press conference in Des Moines, Iowa in front of the State Capital. From there, it heads to Rockford, Illinois before stopping for the night in Chicago. At each stop banners will be available to be signed with messages of support for the troops, and tour t-shirts will be for sale. The banners will be sent to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Day 4: Lincoln, Nebraska
Day 4: Lincoln, Nebraska
Day four of the “We Support the Troops and Their Mission” Bus Tour kicked off with a press conference in Lincoln, Nebraska outside the Cornhusker Hotel. Marine Mom Deborah Johns gave some brief remarks, then took questions from the Lincoln media, not letting even a passing skateboarder keep her from getting her message of support for America’s men and women in uniform.
Though not intended as a rally, a few people did manage to arrive at the early hour to sign the banner. One, a Vietnam veteran happened to be coming past the conference and was happy to take the opportunity to send his thoughts to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Also showing up was Dave Wolf. Mr. Wolf is the other son of Chris and Bob Wolf, who came to the Cheyenne, Wyoming stop on the morning of the third day. His brother and their son, James was killed on November 6, 2003 south of Mosul in Iraq. Dave is a student at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He came out at the early hour to sign the banner and to read some of the messages left for soldiers.
Day 4 will cover three states, continuing in Omaha, Nebraska followed by rallies in Des Moines, Iowa in front of the capital building, then continuing on to Rockford, Illinois before stopping for the night in Chicago.
Banners will be available for signature with messages of support for the troops and Move America Forward’s tour t-shirts will be available for sale. Anyone attending any stop along the tour route are encouraged to decorate a bed sheet and bring it signed or unsigned to the rally. Move America Forward will be happy to send it along with the rest to our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan following the large rally in Washington DC on September 25.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Day 3 in Denver, Colorado
Day 3: Denver, Colorado Stop
The “Support our Troops and Their Mission” tour wrapped up its third day across the country with a stop in Denver, Wednesday. Deborah Johns and Joseph Williams appeared live on KOA AM-850 AM with host Mike Rosen, followed by a rally in front of the Capitol building in downtown Denver. Military Moms, WWII vets, and Freepers helped to create an energized crowd. There was some great news media coverage of this event. CLICK HERE to read the Rocky Mountain News account and then CLICK HERE to read the Denver Post’s story on the bus tour and rally.
Four mothers of soldiers came as representatives of Rocky Mountain Military Moms. Mary Gilmer’s son, Corporal Alex Gilman, will eventually be deployed to Iraq. Jean Hines son Corporal Brian Douglas is currently serving in Iraq. Cheryl Turners son Lance Corporal Alex Klima is currently in Afghanistan. James Cochran, son of Ellen Alis Saxl, has, fortunately, returned safely from a tour in Iraq. All four soldiers are in the United States Marine Corps.
As the tour travels across the country, it continues to meet the families of soldiers who lost their lives over the course of the War on Terror, and Denver was no exception. Gerald and John Risner father and younger brother of James Risner, turned out for the rally. James was killed in Iraq on August 18th, 2004 serving with the 10th Mountain Division.
The MAF rally also brought out two veterans of WWII. Joe Cheney of Denver served in the European theater for 22 months. He landed on Normandy shortly after the D-Day invasion and advanced as far as the Elbe River before his tour ended. Levi Martinez served 4 years in the Pacific Theater in New Guineu and the Phillipines. “These are the real heroes today, though,” he said.
Also showing up in front of the statehouse was state senator Tom Wiem. Senator Wiem’s district includes the United States Air Force Academy. He was out to show his support for the troops. The bus tour has continued to receive tremendous support from FreeRepublic.com’s Tony Jivolin, who showed up for the morning’s Cheyenne rally, and then continued on to Denver. Tony posted his account of the Denver stop at Free Republic - you can CLICK HERE to read his report and view more photos. In addition, several other “Freepers” also turned out for the Denver Rally, including Jan Freeman of Longmont , CO. “My Free Republic group doesn’t have any family in the military, but we have adopted the military.” She also came as a representative of the Longmont Republican Roundtable. “You wouldn’t think there are many Republicans up near Boulder, but there are.” You can read Jan’s account of the rally and see some GREAT pictures just by CLICKING HERE.
A very vocal supporter supporter who showed up was John Coyner, of Littleton. Mr. Coyner is angered by the way the media is covering the War on Terror and doesn’t believe in what Cindy Sheehan is doing. He has three sons-in-law who served in Vietnam, all of whom returned from the war to become sherriffs deputies. One Jason Schwartz, died in the line of duty. “It [The Iaq War] is for freedom, not oil,” he said.
The tour moves on to Lincoln, Nebraska for a rally and press conference set to kick off day 4. It will be held in front of the Cornhusker Marriott, from there it heads to Omaha, Nebraska, Des Moines, Iowa, and Rockford, Illinois, before stopping in the night in Chicago, Illinois. At each stop banners will be available to signed with messages of support, and Tour T-Shirts will be available. The banners will be sent to troops In Iraq and Afghanistan.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Day 3: Cheyenne, Wyoming
Day 3: Cheyenne, Wyoming
Day 3 of the “We Support the Troops and their Mission” Bus Tour kicked off with a well-attended rally in front of the Wyoming statehouse. Marine Mom Deborah Johns and Gold-Star Dad Joseph Williams addressed the crowd and KGAB morning host Dave Chaffin led the crowd in a rousing chant of U-S-A! “Cindy does not speak for Wyoming!” he said. Despite the early start time of 7 AM, Cheyenne turned out to support the troops and sign banners, with lines of 20 people forming in front of the table.
Diane Turner, of Cheyenne, heard about the rally and wanted to come out to support the troops. Her son is in the United States Navy and served a tour in the Gulf. Her daughter and son-in-law are also members of the United States Air Force. Phil (United States Air Force, retired) and Kay Griggs, also of Cheyenne, have a daughter and son-in-law serving in the Air National Guard, and both served tours in Afghanistan. Mr. Griggs said, “ Ive been there [he served in Southeast Aisa], and I appreciate what they’re doing.” Viola Ose served twenty-three years in the United States Air Force reserved and spent a tour of duty in the Middle East during the first Gulf War. “I volunteered for service, and I never regretted one minute of it. There were also a few special attendees at the capitol building this morning. Don Edmonds, like Joseph Williams, lost his son defending our freedom. SP/4 Jonn Edmonds was killed in Pakistan on October 19, 2001 serving with the 75th Rangers. Chris and Bob Wolf’s son James was killed on November 6, 2003 in Iraq, north of Mosul.
The tour also thanks the efforts of Tony Jivolin of www.FreeRepublic.com. Mr. Jivolin (FReeper “ajolympian2004 “
 More of Our Wyoming Supporters! The cross-country bus tour continues its third day with a stop in Denver Colorado. Deborah Johns and Joseph Williams will be live on the air with KOA host Mike Rosen before a rally at the Colorado state capitol building. Banners will be available to sign with messages of support for the troops. Tour t-shirts will also be on sale. The banners will be sent to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
 Deborah Johns Addresses the Crowd in Cheyenne, Wyoming
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has been working to get the word out about Move America Forward rallies from Cheyenne to Washington, DC. He also drove all the way from Boulder, CO to attend the Cheyenne rally.
