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Saturday, September 24, 2005

Rally Stop in Des Moines, Iowa

Day 4: Des Moines, Iowa

Supporters started to gather in front of the “You Don’t Speak for Me, Cindy” tour bus.

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.

The crowd listens attentively to speeches by Deborah Johns & Joseph Williams.

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.

The crowd contemplates the sacrifices of those who have fought to preserve America’s liberty.

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