A SOLDIER'S PERSPECTIVE
THE WEB'S LEADING MILITARY BLOG SINCE 2004
Move America Forward, quickly becoming my favorite group in the world, though still trailing AAP (what’s up with the message boards), is mobilizing again. This time, their target is the protesters in Crawford, Texas. They are determined not to make this war “another Vietnam.” With people like this watching my back at home, it makes my job elsewhere a whole lot easier.
You’ve all got to see this:
http://www.news10.net/storyfull1.asp?id=12639
After you read the story, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click that “VIDEO” button to watch the video of the story.
Deborah Johns – the northern California Marine Mom – is a hero who gives us hope to present a positive alternative to the likes of Cindy Sheehan who seem determined to undermine American resolve to win the war
against terrorism.
Watch the video and pass this along to others. It will inspire them! Can you imagine if the “You Don’t Speak for Me, Cindy” caravan could attract hundreds upon hundreds of vehicles. What a great story it will have become!!!
SERIOUSLY… Watch the video link. It will make you proud that there are such wonderful Americans fighting the good fight:
http://www.news10.net/storyfull1.asp?id=12639
MORE INFORMATION ON THE “YOU DON’T SPEAK FOR ME, CINDY” TOUR:
http://www.MoveAmericaForward.org
I’m not one to just spew stuff sent to me, but I’ve been really busy blowing up IEDs and VBIEDs. My days begin at 0430 and end around 2100 lately, though I was able to be home around 1630 yesterday. I don’t mind since the schedule is nothing compared the 16-20 hour days I had in Iraq which other soldiers are dealing with now.
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Peter-Australia
G’day CJ. Great to hear from a soldier who has been to Iraq telling it like it is.
I’ve been hearing a lot about Cindy Sheehan and though I feel for her loss I can’t help but feel that she is betraying what her son died for.
Just viewed a clip on the news about other parents of soldiers already in Crawford calling for America to stay the course. One father, who has lost a son in the conflict, said how proud he was of his son and for what he and all the troops are doing in Iraq. There was no hiding the pain of his loss in his voice but the pride stood out.
I pray the “YOU DON’T SPEAK FOR ME, CINDY� tour goes well as the media can only ignore the majority for so long before it is forced to present their opinions.
Hilary
Last night Paul was watching Fox News. I walked in because I heard him talking to the TV. They were doing a story “LIVE” about Cindy Sheehan and were going to be fair and balanced…supposedly. Anyway, they showed some parents who have lost children in Iraq. And all of the sudden Paul and I became quiet. On the screen really big was SPC Justin Johnson…he died in April 2004.
His platoon, The C.O.L.T.S. of 1-82 FA (ironically the same unit but not platoon Cindy’s son was from) was attached to Paul’s unit. Paul knew this kid. Paul responded when this kid’s humvee was hit by an IED. This was their first death and it really shook Paul. Anyway, his mom was one of the people they had on there who lost a son. She is in support of finishing this war through. I remember when she first got the message that her son was dead (it was Easter Sunday at that) she was, of course, devistated. She did go through the anger that people go through during a tragedy.
I remember getting a few emails from her that showed anger toward the President and toward the war. However, she didn’t let her anger turn into hatred that unfortunately, I believe, Cindy’s has. She has forgiven, she has moved on although she will never forget nor never stop missing her son. She is now a voice of those who have lost children in Iraq telling the President to keep doing what we’re doing. Unfortunately, you don’t hear from these kinds of people on the news.
I’ve met Mrs. Johnson and we talked a good while about her son. This was a few months back when she came to see the 1st CAV uncase their colors and to read the names of those who died from the CAV and to see the memorial they are planning. Their was a unit change of command that day as well and I had the opportunity to not only meet Mrs. Johnson, but to meet the widow for SPC Chad Drake (who also died in Iraq and was one attached to us from The C.O.L.T.S.) and meet his family as well. And then to meet and cry as I shook his hand, SSG Jay Fondren, also a C.O.L.T. Jay lost both legs and a thumb in Iraq. He is an inspiration as well and if you aren’t familiar with him, click here: http://jay.s2technology.org/ You may need to copy and paste since I don’t know how to put hyperlinks on here.
I guess the point is, IF I were still at Fort Hood, I’d head to Crawford. I’ve been to Crawford a few times. It’s about a 45 minute drive from Fort Hood. I would LOVE to be a part of the “YOU DON’T SPEAK FOR ME, CINDY” movement and be there when that caravan pulls in. I need to forward this story onto Mrs. Johnson. Maybe she’ll join them. We could all use the voice of those who are grieving but are still behind our troops and our President.
Hilary
By the way…the first link you gave to the news, you added a “]” at the end of the link so it doesn’t work. The second link works however.
Dusgalan
I’d rather be facing known terrorists in my home town than having any of these “peace” protesters behind my back.
dusgalan of mt.
Teresa
I watched the video and was so impressed with this woman. I wish I could join this caravan as well. I will certainly pray for these people (that there will be lots of people who are able to join the “You don’t speak for me Cindy” tour.) Just when I start to feel anxiety about the so called “anti-war” people getting so much media exposure to put forth their hate…..the good side comes riding in!
PeggySue66
I sure hope the national media picks up on this……Thanks for the heads up CJ.
Oh, there have been some issues with the entire website. The other night Ms Joyce gave us an update: There was a major burn out in California with our web host due to the excessive heat and air conditioners running like crazy – so our website has been down, as well as any e-mails with the ‘adoptaplatoon.org’ extension, and our forum. Curt has been working very hard to get things back up and running (THANKS CURT) and he is even out of town on business trying to take care of it, so again THANKS from all of us. They told Curt we should be up and running by 7 am (not sure if it’s Cleveland, OH time, or California time) – also, he is still working on the forum and hopefully that will be up soon.
former Sgt. Pilkington
John Adams remarked that 1/3 of Americans where in favor of remaining a British colony, 1/3 pro independence, and the final 1/3 non commited. When we go to war today the same battle of the thirds takes place. Today 1/3 oppose the war because they are opposed to war anyway. 1/3 support the war because they will always support the wars of the country. The final third could go either way. If things look good for the war, they will be for it. If things look bad, they will turn against it. Very soon two thirds of this country will be opposed to this war unless they are shown a better plan than the president has spoken of so far. It was a lack of proper prior planning that killed Cindy’s son. When I was in Iraq, I had a good view of the rear. We bybassed piles of artilery shells. These same shells are being used today to create the improvised explosives that are killing U.S. servicemembers. We didn’t send enough troops into Iraq to secure all of this ordinance, and now we are being killed by it. Iraqi’s are being killed by it also. We didn’t have enough troops to secure Iraq’s borders so the suicide bombers come to kill us. We can’t even secure Baghdad, the main objective. We can’t even secure the main supply routes. Why can’t we do this? We don’t have enough troops to do it. I would come back in the Army if the president said that he was putting 500,000 troops in Iraq, but I don’t expect that. The president as well as his supporters think that doing the same thing over and over again will produce different results eventually. Time is running out. tick tock tick tock
MoonPie
The Johnson family lives in my hometown of Rome, Ga. What a remarkable woman she is. Just so you know, her husband will be leaving for Iraq next week to also serve with the Georgia National Guard. They will forever be in my thoughts and prayers. May God continue to watch over Mr. Johnson and their other surving son who is also in the Military.
PeggySue66
Hey Moonpie….your just up the road from me…I am in Dallas Ga.
Hilary
Oh man! He’s going now! When I talked to her a few months ago he wasn’t going to go. The Army said he didn’t have to (I think but I could be wrong…I just know he wasn’t going to go). Maybe he’s changed his mind afterall. I know when Mrs. Johnson received the news, her husband was gone training with his unit. They will be in my thoughts and prayers that he will return home safely.
Debbie, Philadelphia, PA
Great video…I sent your post out in several emails…hope that helps to spread the word. I included a link to your site as well because you always have such great stuff here!! I support our troops and am a member of a great organization called Soldiers’ Angels. I have adopted soldiers, sent care packages, letters, and sew Blankets of Hope for our wounded. I have also put your post there for all the Angels to read. If I didn’t live in Philly, I would certainly love to caravan!
MoonPie
Hilary,
He is going. Here’s an article published in our local paper about Jan and what’s she’s doing to help support our troops by working with the “Blue Star Mothers of Georgia.” It was dated August 10th and does mention that Mr. Johnson will be going to Iraq in a couple of weeks. She was on one of the major network news station the other night and said that he was leaving next week. http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpid=680&show=archivedetails&ArchiveID=1125209&om=1
PeggySue,
I see you on the AAP Forum when it’s working. I miss all of you guys from there. I’m like CJ. What’s up with that?? I think we’re all going into withdrawals!!
And finally, to CJ. Thank you so much for this blog. I have laughed, cried and been amazed at the things I’ve read. You are an awesome guy. I’m an avid reader and this is my favorite blog of all times. Thank you for your service to our country.
~Brenda
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Hilary
I sent an email to Jan about the “You Don’t Speak For Me, Cindy” tour. I figured if she hadn’t heard about it, she may want to since she doesn’t agree with Cindy. I got this in response from her…
“Hi Hilary,
Got the email you sent to me…Thank you so very much for it…I only wish I could be there in Crawford with them…I’ll be at Ft. Drum…leaving this Sat. morning to go see JJ’s dad before he ships…yep, he is headed over there this time it looks like…they are scheduled to leave sometime after next week…he is getting a 4 days pass starting Mon. then they go back and as soon as a plane is ready, they are out of here….don’t remember if you knew he is part of Ga. National Guard’s 48th Brigade…they’re the ones who have taken so many hits in the last 3 weeks….18 total since they activated in Jan, 16 in just a matter of 3 weeks….Where are ya’ll stationed at now? Keep in touch and thanks for everything…..Jan”
This lady lost a son in the war and is now sending her husband to war. She’s not protesting. I am sure she doesn’t want to send him, but she is. I am asking you all to please keep them in your prayers. I hope and pray that Mr. Johnson will make it home safely. Please keep them in your prayers! Thanks!
PeggySue66
Hilary,
Please let her know that all of Georgia keeps the 48th close at heart. My family thanks her and is so very greatful to her.
MoonPie
The 48th has a blog that was started by our local newspaper. You can keep up with it here: http://48thbrigade.blogspot.com/
Prayers are being said for Jan and her family and all of our troops.