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Reno, Nevada - Monday, September 19th

Deborah Johns Interviewd by NBC Affiliate in Reno- KRNV TV-4

Supporters gather in front of our rally location at the Kietzke Wal Mart.

The “We Support Our Troops And Their Mission” Bus Tour continued on its first day of a weeklong trip across the country with a large rally outside of the Kietzke Wal-Mart in Reno, Nevada.  Marine Mom Deborah Johns and Gold-Star Dad Joseph Williams addressed a crowd of about 200 before appearing live on the air with Bill Manders on AM-780 KOH.  The Reno stop was the fourth on a tour of more than twenty cities, which culminates with a large rally in Washington, DC on Sunday, September 25th.

The rally attracted many supporters, but others stopped by who just happened to be shopping at the Wal-Mart.  Judy Kerr, of Reno saw the crowd and stayed because she supports the troops and disagrees with the anti-war message.  “The boys over there don’t need any more standing in their way,” she said.

Many turned out after hearing about the scheduled rally on KOH radio.  Chris Burgess, William Sousa, Tony Hayes, and Russell Hayes, all of Sun Valley, wanted to support the troops.  Mr. Sousa’s brother served for a year in Iraq and is now a member of the Army National Guard.

Kathleen Mull’s son served six months in Afghanistan following 9/11, and fought at Tora Bora, before serving for a year in Iraq.  Currently, he serves in the National Guard.  Mrs. Mull believes that the anti-war activists are very hurtful to familes who have relatives serving overseas.  “You have to support the whole project,” she said.  “I have a very hard time with the people who claim to support the troops, but not the war.”

POW/MIA Matt Maupin

Mrs Mull also wanted to call attention to Matt Maupin, of Ohio.  Maupin is considered Missing, but his family believes him to be a POW.  He has been missing since April 9, 2004.  To show her support, and to raise awareness, Mull wears a lapel pin with Matt’s picture on it.  “Very few actually know that we have a POW, and I can’t understand why.”

The cross-country bus tour continues Tuesday with stops in Salt Lake City, Utah and Cheyenne, Wyoming.  Johns and Williams will appear, and sheets can be signed with messages of support for the troops.  The sheets will be sent to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Deborah Johns on KOH Radio 780 AM - Reno