|
|
|
|
|
MAF News and Press Releases PageListed on this page are news articles talking about the activities of Move America Forward, as well as copies of organizational press releases. This page is updated constantly with new information, so remember to visit regularly. You can also click on an individual article's byline to see the story in its original publication.Note: Some news organizations do not maintain their archives for very long, so links to older articles may not always be available.
Monday, November 6th, 2006
NEWS RELEASE - November 5, 2006
MEDIA COVERAGE OF IRAQ WAR
 (ERBIL, IRAQ) – The Prime Minister of the Iraqi Kurdistan regional government met with the families of fallen U.S. soldiers today and he had a message for the news media: your coverage of the Iraq war is terribly biased. “CNN International and Al Jazeera are equally bad in their coverage of the situation in Iraq,” said Nerchivan Barzani, Prime Minister of Iraqi Kurdistan. “When I was in the United States recently and read the negative news in the Washington Post, New York Times and in the network TV broadcasts, I even wondered if things had gotten so bad since I had left that I shouldn’t return,” said Prime Minister Barzani. The comments came during meetings between the Prime Minister and the delegation of Gold Star Families who are on a historic trip to Iraq. These families lost a child in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and they are in Iraq now to see the progress being made that their children gave their lives for. Yesterday they joined the people in Iraq in celebrating the GUILTY verdict handed down against the murderous former dictator of Iraq, Saddam Hussein. These American families are on a 10-day journey to Iraq to see the land where their children died in the fight against terrorism. Never before has such a coordinated delegation of Gold Star Families visited Iraq, and their arrival comes amidst news reports that Saddam Hussein had a nuclear weapons program under development before Coalition Forces toppled his regime. The trip is organized by the nation’s largest grass-roots pro-troop organization, Move America Forward which was founded in 2004. COMPLETE DETAILS – INCLUDING PHOTOGRAPHS & AUDIO FILES ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE: www.MoveAmericaForward.org Click here to read full story
Sunday, November 5th, 2006
NEWS RELEASE - November 5, 2006
NOW IN IRAQ CELEBRATE SADDAM VERDICT!
with the people of Iraq.” (IRAQ) – A historic delegation of Gold Star Families in Iraq (families who lost a child in the war on terrorism) reacted today with jubilation at the GUILTY verdict handed down against the murderous former dictator of Iraq, Saddam Hussein. These American families are on a 10-day journey to Iraq to see the land where their children died in the fight against terrorism. Never before has such a coordinated delegation of Gold Star Families visited Iraq, and their arrival comes amidst news reports that Saddam Hussein had a nuclear weapons program under development before Coalition Forces toppled his regime. The trip is organized by the nation’s largest grass-roots pro-troop organization, Move America Forward which was founded in 2004. COMPLETE DETAILS – INCLUDING PHOTOGRAPHS & AUDIO FILES ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE: www.MoveAmericaForward.org The families explained that news of the verdict was especially heartening since their children gave their lives to free the people of Iraq and bring an end to Iraq’s dubious role as a state sponsor of terrorism under Hussein’s brutal rule. “Justice has been served and we are now celebrating together with the people of Iraq,” said Gold Star Father, Joseph Williams. Williams is a resident of Vacaville, California and his son Michael died near Nasiriyah, Iraq. Mike Anderson’s son died in the Anbar province of Iraq. He reacted to the news of the Saddam verdict by noting that it provided additional justification for the war on terrorism. “We are doing the right thing in Iraq, and many of the people in Iraq are trying to do the right thing in building a future free of violence and terrorism,” Anderson said. Debra Argel Bastian of Lompoc, California agreed. “I am so happy to see that justice has prevailed over terrorism and bloodshed. Saddam Hussein killed millions of people, he sponsored terrorism and he sought to spread his tyrannical rule throughout the Middle East. Now he is being held accountable for his actions.
“I am so proud of the men and women of the United States military who have made this moment possible. And I honor the sacrifice my son gave to serve his country in the war against terrorism,” Argel concluded.
Saturday, November 4th, 2006
NEWS RELEASE - November 4, 2006
* Group to Highlight News of Saddam’s Nuclear Weapons Program * Rebut Senator John Kerry * Report on the Successes of U.S. Troops in Iraq (IRAQ) – Under the cover of utmost secrecy, the parents of U.S. troops who died in Iraq have made a surprising and historic visit to Iraq. No other such coordinated trip to Iraq by families of fallen troops has ever taken place. The trip comes amid new reports from The New York Times that Saddam Hussein had a nuclear weapons program under development. Some have suggested that Hussein could have been 1-2 years away from developing a usable nuclear weapon.
“The American people are shown a skewed picture of the situation in Iraq day after day by the international news media. We felt it was time to allow the families of U.S. troops who died in Iraq to come see the progress being made in Iraq and report it back to the American people,” said Melanie Morgan, Chairman of Move America Forward.
The trip also occurs following statements by Senator John Kerry, who suggested U.S. Troops serving in Iraq lack intelligence and are “stuck” there because of their limited abilities. “I am spitting mad at John Kerry for insulting our troops. Duck and run was his specialty in Viet Nam,” said Gold Star Mother Debra Argel. Joe & Jan Johnson, whose son Justin died in Sadr City, expressed their anger with Kerry: “These were grown adults we are talking about, not kids who didn’t know what they were doing. Contrary to Kerry’s belief, they made an “educated” decision to join the military, most of them after 9/11, so they knew the possibilities of going to war were pretty good and they chose to serve anyway.” The trip will allow these parents to see the newly liberated Iraq that their children gave their lives for. A new Iraq is rising up from the ashes of what was once a state-sponsor of terrorism under dictator Saddam Hussein. Most provinces in Iraq are without the violence that is shown each day by international media outlets, but for some reason only the most negative developments from Iraq are regularly reported. These family members will meet with U.S. Troops currently stationed in Iraq, and will offer their support. They hope to meet with both the Iraqi people as well as government leaders. The “Gold Star Families to Iraq” trip is being organized by the nation’s largest grassroots pro-troop organization, Move America Forward (website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org ). Updated trip accounts, photographs, audio/video files will be continuously uploaded to the Move America Forward website. This trip to Iraq has been in the planning stages for more than one year. It is being paid for by the contributions from thousands of Americans who gave money to Move America Forward to pay for this trip to take place. No government money has been used to finance this trip. These family members have issued the following statements to explain in their own words why it is that they have made this unprecedented trip to Iraq: JOHN HOLLEY: “I want to see for myself what America has been able to accomplish to help the Iraqis help themselves. I will be asking the Iraqis what message do they want me to give for them to the people back in America. Finally, I came because I wanted to experience the same feelings that my son experienced when he was preparing to go to Iraq, sort of like walking in his shoes.” DEBRA ARGEL: “I want to carry a message of love, support and hope to our troops. I want them to know that despite the negative media and despite our loss, we are there for them with all of our hearts. I hope to take some pictures with some of the troops and send pictures and cards to their families when I get home. These cards will help their families know that someone cared to spend a little time with their soldier.” MIKE ANDERSON: “This trip is something that I will gain additional closure from. Losing my only son, namesake, and first born, has been the toughest thing in my entire life. I continue to gain strength from Mike Jr. When they say Marines are a different breed, they are right - this kid was as tough as nails, and a force to be reckoned with.
I want tell anybody that will listen, the good that we have done, and are currently doing. We cannot find security by turning a blind eye, or thinking that “if we leave them alone, they’ll leave us alone”. That’s utterly ridiculous.”
“I am proud of my son and his service to this nation. He made the ultimate sacrifice so that each of us may live in peace, blessed with freedom. America has carried the torch for freedom, fighting for individual liberties against Communism, Fascism, Totalitarianism and now once more against Terrorism. If we cut and run from Iraq, that will deal a devastating blow in the war against terrorism. Will any terrorist group ever fear us again, or will they know that they need only outlast us. We must stand by our heroic military men and women in Iraq and the mission they are serving there.” JAN JOHNSON: “I’m anxious but excited...after all, it is still a war zone over there. I want to go see for myself what is going on over there. I have heard from a lot of people, both ways, and I want to be able to say I personally have been there and saw it first hand.” JOE JOHNSON: “I want to be able to tell the troops that there are Americans who still believe we are doing the right thing by being here. We want them to know that there are people back here who are supporting and praying for them daily.”
NOTE: The following are short biographies on each of the individuals traveling in the “Gold Star Families to Iraq” delegation.
IN IRAQ INCLUDES:
GOLD STAR DAD JOSEPH WILLIAMS
Michael was 31 years old and fromYuma, Arizona; assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He was killed in action near Nasiriyah, Iraq. Lcpl Williams was older then most of his fellow Marines, and took an active part in taking care of them and guiding them while in combat duty in Iraq, even sacrificing his life protecting his fellow Marines. Joseph Williams currently is active in letting the American public know how important it is to support the effort of the nation in supporting the War on terror and the American Armed Forces.
GOLD STAR DAD JOHN HOLLEY
Matthew was 21 years old and from San Diego, California; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky. He died of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near his Humvee during combat operations in Taji, Iraq. John Holley was instrumental in having a provision added into the 2007 Defense authorization bill that states that all fallen military personnel who perish in the line of duty, be flown on military aircraft to their final resting place, unless designated otherwise by next of kin.
GOLD STAR DAD MIKE ANDERSON
Michael was 21years old and from Modesto, California; assigned to 3rd battalion 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. He died of injuries from small arms fire while protecting his fellow Marines from enemy action in the Anbar Province of Iraq. Mike Anderson has been very active in his son’s unit upon their recent deployment to Iraq, and has been adopted into his son’s unit. For Veterans Day 2006, Mike Anderson has been invited to Quantico, Virginia to be part of the new Marine Corps Museum dedication.
Currently he is active letting the American public know how important it is to support the effort of the nation in supporting the War on terror and the American Armed Forces.
Derek was 28 years old and was from Lompoc, California; assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.; He died in the crash of an Iraqi air force aircraft during a training mission in eastern Diyala province, Iraq. Currently Debra Bastian is the Military Outreach Coordinator for Move America Forward, and she speaks throughout the country in support of the War on Terror and especially in support of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces.
GOLD STAR PARENTS JANET & JOSEPH JOHNSON
Justin was 22 years old and was from Rome, Georgia.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. He was killed when his patrol vehicle hit an improvised explosive device (IED) in Baghdad. Upon the death of his son, Joseph Johnson decide to enlist in the in the Georgia National Guard which he was assigned to the 48th Infantry Brigade, then deployed to Iraq and served in and around the Baghdad area. His story has been detailed in the new book, “American Mourning” written by Move America Forward Chairman, Melanie Morgan, and Vacaville Reporter columnist, Catherine Moy. Justin Johnson was very close friends with Casey Sheehan, son of the well-known anti-war activist, Cindy Sheehan. Click here to read full story
Wednesday, November 1st, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 1, 2006
Accuses Americans of Being Too Stupid to Understand Him (SAN FRANCISCO) – The chairman of the nation’s largest pro-troop organization, Move America Forward (website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org ) has issued the following statement rejecting the non-apology by Senator John Kerry for his comments belittling the intelligence of U.S. Troops in Iraq.
“Your non-apology is not accepted, Senator Kerry. “John Kerry has done it again! He has sunk to a new low by managing to insult the American people and members of the United States military in his issuance of a non-apology. Rather then apologizing for the hurtful words he used, he instead says he regrets that his words were misinterpreted? [Source: Kerry statement, “I sincerely regret that my words were misinterpreted…” ] “So apparently it is the fault of the American public, news media and the men and women of the United States Military for not being smart enough to understand what Senator Kerry meant to say? “The American public understands what he really said. There is no mistaking his contempt for our troops. He has a long history of name-calling, and now he refuses to apologize for his conduct. Instead he says it’s all our fault. “Shame on you, Senator Kerry.”
Click here to read full story
Wednesday, June 21st, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 21, 2006
“America Says Thank You”
for Service & Sacrifice in Iraq & Afghanistan (SAN FRANCISCO) – A major multi-media advertising blitz thanking American troops for a “job well done” in the war against terrorism will begin on Thursday, June 22, 2006. The “America Says Thank You” ad campaign is a project of the pro-troop organization, Move America Forward (website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org). The first television ads will air on the Fox News Channel television network. The debut 60-second TV spot features a listing of major terrorist figures killed, captured or arrested as a result of the U.S.-led war against terrorism. The ad campaign will then expand to CNN/Headline News and then on to local affiliates of the major television networks (NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, WB, UPN). Total expenditures for the ad campaign are expected to run well into six figures, and this funding is being provided by individuals, organizations and institutions who wish to see more balanced and positive media coverage on the war against terrorism. To date more than 1,000 individuals have contributed to this specific advertising effort. Pro-Troop Message Must Be Purchased – Media Bias Alleged “We’re broadcasting these ads because somebody has to tell the other side of the story that’s not being reported by the news media. Our troops are making great progress in the war on terrorism, and there is a steady stream of positive developments taking place in Iraq,” said Melanie Morgan, Chairman of Move America Forward. “Many journalists have gotten so bad in obsessing on any and all negative developments in Iraq – at the exclusion of coverage of any positive accomplishments being made – that supporters of U.S. troops are forced to buy the airtime to tell the public about the progress being made by our troops. “We understand the mission in Iraq is a challenging one and we recognize that there are obstacles that must be overcome. However, can’t the news media tell the American people about all the good things being done there in addition to the bad stories? The good news coming out of Iraq is almost never reported,” said Melanie Morgan. “So, until it does, Move America Forward will rally the American public to stand together and get that message out. We owe it to our troops and the military families to make sure that the efforts being made by the men and women of the United States military receive fair and proper coverage,” Morgan concluded. The first television and radio advertisements can be seen online at Move America Forward’s website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org. The following is a description of the above-mentioned commercial advertisements.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
View it Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvfRCwk8edg
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Listen to it Here: http://websrvr80il.audiovideoweb.com/il80web20028/MAF-7452_REV.mp3 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Radio Ad 2: “America Thanks You” Description: Similar audio track to “America Says Thank You” television ad. 60-second radio advertisement.
Listen to it Here: http://websrvr80il.audiovideoweb.com/il80web20028/MAF-7456_Mix.mp3
Tuesday, June 20th, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 19, 2006
Pro-Troop “Move America Forward” (SAN FRANCISCO) – Liberal blogger Markos Moulitsas Zuniga, founder of the popular left-of-center blog, DailyKos.com, has just returned from his first annual “YearlyKos” convention by embracing a surprising mantra: that of the nation’s largest grassroots pro-troop organization, Move America Forward (website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org). In a posting headlined “Move America Forward” the blogger “Kos” denounced the former Dean campaign’s slogan of “Take America Back” as being “regressive.” “…let’s remind people that we are focused on the future. And that’s where we want to take our country.” So Kos’s solution? He wants to embrace the slogan “Move America Forward.” [See: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/6/19/133628/972 ] In response to his online proposal, Move America Forward’s Executive Director, Robert Dixon, said he welcomed Markos Zuniga to the pro-troop family. “For the past couple years, DailyKos.com has served as home of some of the most irresponsible anti-military and ‘Blame America First’ propaganda. I don’t think many of the contributors to that blog understand that America has been attacked and our nations is now at war, because in many of their posts it seems as if they are rooting for the United States and our Coalition Partners to lose the war,” said Dixon. “Given the media’s extensive praise for Mr. Zuniga’s talents and abilities, it strikes me that Mr. Zuniga could be so oblivious to the existence of Move America Forward as the nation’s leading pro-troop organization. Our organization has been discussed in vivid terms dozens of times at the DailyKos.com site. “If it is not a moment of gross naivitae on the part of Mr. Zuniga, perhaps he has finally woken up to how bankrupt the ideas advanced by his fellow travelers in the ‘Blame America First’ movement are,” Dixon said.
“We would encourage Markos Zuniga to continue to embrace “Move America Forward” as his slogan and do what is right by showing his true support for the mission our men and women are serving overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. We are always welcoming convert to the ‘Support Our Troops’ movement,” Dixon concluded.
Monday, April 24th, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 24, 2006
& WASH. POST’S DANA PRIEST HAVE PARTISAN HISTORY TOGETHER
Washington Post Reporter’s Political Motivations (SAN FRANCISCO) – The nation’s largest pro-troop grassroots organization, Move America Forward (website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org) has uncovered new ties between disgraced CIA leaker, Mary McCarthy, and Washington Post reporter, Dana Priest. Priest was the reporter who received a Pulitzer Prize for reporting on classified information on the war on terrorism that CIA analyst Mary McCarthy leaked to her in violation of U.S. law. The case has been referred to the Justice Department for possible prosecution.
Move America Forward has learned that McCarthy and Priest had other intersecting interests.
“This cast of characters also has a bad habit of breaching U.S. security when it serves their own political agenda, and that is disgraceful behavior,” said Melanie Morgan, Chairman of the Move America Forward. Mary McCarthy has a well-documented history of making political contributions to individuals opposed to the Bush Administration’s anti-terrorism policies. The most recent political contributions by McCarthy were made just last month – two contributions made to Democrat Joseph Sestak, who is challenging Republican congressman Curt Weldon for Congress. McCarthy’s support for Sestak is interesting for two reasons. First, Sestak served as Director for Defense Policy at the National Security Council (NSC) during the Clinton Administration. McCarthy was a Special Assistant to President Clinton and also a Senior Director at the NSC during the Clinton Administration. Second, Sestak’s opposition to Weldon is noteworthy because of the national recognition Weldon has received for calling attention to the Able Danger scandal. The Able Danger matter involves claims that some of the 9/11 terrorists were identified during the Clinton Administration, which failed to take action to detain the terrorists. Weldon’s investigation into the failures of Clinton’s national security personnel to prevent the 9/11 attack on America apparently was not well received by Washington Post reporter, Dana Priest. A June 9, 2005 story in the Washington Post by Priest belittled Weldon and his book “Countdown to Terror” and made un-sourced ad hominine attacks against him. Weldon complained in a letter to the Washington Post that Priest’s article was “grossly inaccurate on what little of my book is described,” and that she “gives the false impression that she interviewed me, when she did not.” Weldon further protested that Priest, “misleads readers into thinking that I support a war against Iran, when in fact I do not.” The Washington Post refused to publish Weldon’s letter pointing out Ms. Priest’s inaccuracies, mischaracterizations and the fact that she never even interviewed Weldon for the story. It should also be noted that the man who organized the Sestak fundraising effort that Mary McCarthy participated in was none other than Sandy Berger, the former National Security Adviser to President Bill Clinton. Berger admitted to federal investigators that he removed and destroyed classified terrorism documents, which may have been embarrassing to Clinton administration officials. The Sestak campaign has been organized largely with the backing of Senator John Kerry, 2004 Democrat candidate for President and frequent critic of the Bush Administration’s handling of the war against terrorism. Sestak has said his early contributions were raised through Kerry’s political action committee, Keeping America’s Promise, and from an email Kerry sent out supporting Sestak. MARY McCARTHY’S OVERRIDING POLITICAL BIAS Federal Election records show that Ms. McCarthy gave $7,000 to John Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign (including $5,000 to the Ohio Democrat Party in support of Kerry’s campaign) as well as contributions to the Democratic National Committee. These contributions are consistent with the pattern of former Clinton national security staff involving themselves in political races to undermine the war on terrorism. What has received less scrutiny has been Mary McCarthy’s political support for 2002 Minnesota Democratic congressional candidate Steven Peter Andreasen. Andreasen was backed by the same coalition of former Clinton Administration officials, including Sandy Berger (contributed $1,000) and Richard Clarke (contributed $2,000). Clarke made international headlines when he too made public criticisms of the Bush Administration’s handling of the war against terrorism and decision to use military force in Iraq. Melanie Morgan announced that Move America Forward is going to “commit its full focus and resources to uncovering the facts to find out who is involved in undermining our nation’s fight against terrorism. “The conduct by Clinton Administration NSC officials stinks to high heaven. We have Clinton’s NSC top dog, Sandy Berger, stuffing into his underwear highly classified documents about the Clinton Administration’s mishandling of the terrorist threat. Then you have a former Clinton Administration NSC official, Mary McCarthy, leaking top-secret information about our efforts to detain terrorists to the press. “A pattern is starting to emerge of former Clinton Administration officials working to undermine the fight against terrorism so that they may advance their political motivations. We will not tolerate this and we will work to expose all those who may be involved in this shameful conduct,” concluded Morgan.
Click here to read full story
Saturday, October 29th, 2005
The following is a listing of contributions received thus far for the “Pro-Troop Holiday Radio Ad Campaign.” This three-month campaign will blanket the nation with radio ads supporting our troops and their mission. The ads will stress the fact that during this holiday season, Americans need to rally together to support the men and women who are overseas, away from loved ones, in harms way, fighting deadly terrorists to keep our nation safe and free. And the ads will point out that the terrorists strategy is to wear us down through suicide bombings and attacks – and that the last thing we can do is give up in Iraq and surrender in the war on terrorism. Here are the online contributions received as of Wednesday, November 8, 2005 - 3:15 PM. You can make a contribution to this ad campaign - JUST CLICK HERE. CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY STATE: Alabama: $20.00 Arizona: $385.00
California: $13,642.00
Wednesday, September 21st, 2005
BYLINE: By Matt Reynolds ROLL CALL STAFF Melanie Morgan isn’t especially bashful about voicing her displeasure with Cindy Sheehan, or her support for the Iraq war Sheehan so passionately opposes. And as Morgan, chairwoman of the conservative group Move America Forward, travels with a band of pro-war military families this week as part of a cross-country bus tour, her message couldn’t be any more blunt. “We want to show the country that Cindy Sheehan does not speak for us.” The “Support the Troops and Their Mission” bus tour kicked off Monday with pro-military rallies in San Francisco and Sacramento, home of Deborah Johns, mother of William Johns, a Marine soon to begin his third tour of duty in Iraq. Throughout this week the bus tour will wind its way across America’s heartland, with rallies planned in more than 20 major cities. At each stop Iraq war supporters will be invited to sign their names to a banner declaring appreciation for the ongoing sacrifices of American servicemen and women. The bus tour will arrive in Washington, D.C., on Saturday evening, the same day that thousands of anti-war protesters are expected to gather on the National Mall. And at 1 p.m. Sunday, Move America Forward will stage a day-long pro-war demonstration, with Morgan and Johns anchoring a lineup featuring more than 15 scheduled speakers. Move America Forward’s series of pro-military rallies comes during a period of revival for opponents of the Iraq war. Insurgents have stepped up their deadly campaign, and polls show declining confidence in America’s effort to build a new Iraq. Sheehan has garnered national headlines while protesting outside President Bush’s Crawford, Texas, ranch after her son, Casey, was killed in Iraq. Throughout her stay, well-wishers have flocked to her side, adding their voices to a rising chorus of demands for a face-to-face meeting with the commander-in-chief. Johns sees the bus tour as a firm rebuke to Sheehan and other anti-war activists. “This is a continued effort to rally support for our military men and women,” Johns said. “We continue to degrade the morale of our servicemen and women. They don’t need to come back home and fight a war in the media. We will push back against Cindy Sheehan and the rhetoric she pushes down everybody’s throat.” Morgan said she believes Move America Forward is at the forefront of a “pushback against the left in this country. They have dominated this discussion. We have been very distressed that the left is taking the war in Iraq as an opportunity to score cheap cynical points against this administration.” Morgan, who is only a month and a half removed from a visit to American soldiers stationed in Iraq, believes Sheehan’s protests threaten to dishearten the troops and drag down the war effort. Sheehan is the main villain in Move America Forward’s war narrative. But the media, blamed for artificially inflating her influence, don’t get off any easier. Morgan complains of the “gushing coverage” given to Sheehan and the “misinformation being reported as dead-on fact.” The anti-war perspective, she said, “is beginning to settle in like wet concrete that’s drying,” and she recommended “taking a sledgehammer” to hardening attitudes of hopelessness and despair. “Iraq is no Vietnam,” she insisted. “We are winning the war in Iraq, but you wouldn’t know it from listening to the media.” Morgan said she hopes to collect enough signatures on Move America Forward’s banners during the week to show there is still strong public support for the war. Once the bus tour reaches Washington, the banners from each city will be unfurled and displayed together. “We’re trying to create a dramatic visual of the good wishes and heartfelt thoughts to the troops,” Morgan said. The banners will then be shipped off to Iraq and Afghanistan to boost morale among the troops. “This is a way to make a statement that we respect our military men and women,” Johns said. Both Morgan and Johns expect to encounter more friends than foes as they canvas the countryside this week, if past experience is any guide. Morgan recalled a similar tour where “90 percent of the time we were greeted with patriotic Americans. They came out with American flags and pictures of sons and daughters who were serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.” Still, both forecast a handful of counter-demonstrations cropping up along the way. Johns has some advice for any anti-war protesters who might set up shop alongside this week’s Move America Forward rallies: “Don’t just breathe the words into the air that you support the troops. Show it with your actions.” With her son prepping for his return to Iraq, Johns embarks on this week’s bus tour with mixed emotions. “You do get a little bit more used to it,” she said of the pain of separation. “But any time a loved one is deployed it’s hard. You’re waiting and wondering if you’re about to get a knock on the door.” But Johns said she’s been showered with support from other parents with children serving in Iraq, and even some whose children won’t be coming home. Their patriotism, enduring despite personal loss, gives her all the inspiration she needs to carry on. And besides, she said, “there’s no one prouder than military families. Our faith in God is what gets us through these days.” Click here to read full story
Thursday, September 15th, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 15, 2005
20+ Stops Across Nation
Includes Stop at 9/11 Crash Site in Shanksville, PA
(SACRAMENTO) – The national organization that supports our troops and the war against terrorism, Move America Forward (website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org), has announced a national pro-troop bus tour that will stop in more than 20 U.S. cities beginning next Monday, September 19th.
The “Support The Troops And Their Mission” bus tour is currently planning rallies in over 20 U.S. cities including: San Francisco, California; Vacaville, California; Sacramento, California; Reno Nevada; Elko, Nevada; Salt Lake City, Utah; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Fort Collins, Colorado; Denver, Colorado; Lincoln, Nebraska; Omaha, Nebraska; Des Moines, Iowa; Rockford, Illinois; Chicago, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Cincinnati, Ohio; Dayton, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Wheeling, West Virginia; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Shanksville, Pennsylvania (site of Flight 93 crash in 9/11); Baltimore, Maryland; and Washington, D.C. An itinerary of the tour & rallies is being continuously updated at: www.MoveAmericaForward.org “To those misguided individuals who are trying to undermine the mission our troops are serving in, let us make our message loud and clear: we will travel to any place at any time to rally together the American public to oppose your defeatist, anti-military agenda,” said Melanie Morgan, Chair of Move America Forward. “We will not sit back and let the ‘Blame America First’ crowd try to turn this generation into a hybrid of the Vietnam protest era. Never again will our nation turn its back on our troops or their mission.” “Most importantly, we will never send a message to the terrorists that we are prepared to cut and run. The United States will never surrender to the terrorists, and they should understand full well that those shrieking voices coming from the radical left do not speak for the majority of Americans,” Morgan concluded. At each stop, Move America Forward will invite members of the community to come out and sign “We Support Our Troops” sheet-banners. Individuals can also include a personal message to our troops serving in Iraq & Afghanistan. At the conclusion of the national tour and Washington, D.C. rally, Move America Forward will then send the sheets to the troops serving in Iraq & Afghanistan. Move America Forward will also air television ads nationwide on cable news networks to promote awareness of the bus tour and attendance at each of the stops and associated rallies. # # # Click here to read full story
|
