Posted By:
MAF Blogger Matt
Permalink

Day 4, Rockford, Illinois

Despite the late hour of our arrival, the people of Rockford, Illinois turned out to cheer our pro-troop bus tour on!

The “We Support the Troops and Their Mission” Bus Tour ended their 4th day with a rally and press conference just outside of Rockford, Illinois.  Despite the crisp autumn wind and occasional drop of rain, dozens of hardy supporters turned out to offer their support to the troops and Move America Forward’s cross-country bus tour featuring Deborah Johns and Joseph Williams.

Bryan Dishner, of Rockford, was surfing the internet a few days ago and ran across the tour itinerary.  He was excited to see Rockford listed as a stop.  He called it a shame that the mass media has focused on, “an incoherent message from the far-left,” and wanted to support the troops.  “I bin the first believe in the cause of freedom and America’s mission in the world,” he said.

Brian Wilmot, also of Rockford, wanted to see the tour.  Wilmot served in Iraq at Camp Anaconda and returned safely in March.  “I’m very glad to see people doing this [the tour],” he said.  “It will be a big morale booster.” Sherman Tipton first heard about the tour in the Rockford newspaper.  He served in the first Gulf War and believes it was good then, and it’s good now.  “Al Qaeda is over there too.  They don’t talk about that,” he said.

Meredith Kelly came all the way from Lyons, Illinois, some 2 hours distant.  Kelly has 2 nephews who are veterans of Iraq.  One returned safely 3 weeks ago to California.  The other has already served 2 tours and is likely to sign up for a third.  Kelly’s husband is also a veteran, having served as a helicopter medic in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967.  She herself has been a nurse with the Veterans Administration, but is currently on sabbatical.

The reason for her sabbatical is a 7-day a week job running Operation: Stars and Stripes (www.OperationStars.com).  Like Operation: Care and Comfort, Operation: Stars and Stripes sends care packages to soldiers, including those who are at Bethesda and Walter Reed Hospitals.  She has been working on this current project for over 2 and a half years now, beginning in March of 2003.  They have even sent putters and golf balls to a group of soldiers who used them to set up a 6-hole miniature golf course.  Currently they are gearing up for the holidays and already have over 400 Christmas stockings ready for shipment at the end of October.

She has also adopted a group of soldiers in Afghanistan and has a message for them: “To McCoy and PRG 61- we are so proud of you.” The flag she brought to the rally was flown over Balad on the Afghan Election Day.

Supporters proudly said the Pledge of Allegiance at each stop.

The tour will stay the night in Chicago before setting off for its fifth day on the road.  Rallies are scheduled for Chicago, Indianapolis, In, and Cincinnati, Oh.  Banners will be available at each stop for signing messages of support for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Tour T-shirts will also be available for sale as well.  At the conclusion of the tour on September 25, the banners will be sent to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Deborah Johns speaks; the media films the event; and a supporter signs our “Pro-Troop” sheets we are sending overseas to Iraq & Afghanistan.