A SOLDIER'S PERSPECTIVE
THE WEB'S LEADING MILITARY BLOG SINCE 2004
The Move America Forward route.
Move America Forward has begun their cross-country journey to head off the morons from ANSWER who have chosen to use the four year anniversary of the Iraq war to protest in D.C.
They’ve just completed 2 remarkable days on the road, driving morning, noon and night and they’ve thus far held 10 pro-troop rallies – that’s actually more than they had planned! They began their tour in the Mother-of-all-Liberal-Cities, San Fransisco. Their goal is to make it to D.C. in time for the Gathering of Eagles event designed to counter ANSWER and their anti-war socialists (let’s face it, ANSWER attracts a bunch of socialists and anarchists) on March 17th.
It’s been an incredibly uplifting and emotional experience as our contingent of Gold Star Families (who lost a child in the war effort), Blue Star Families (who have a child currently serving in Iraq or Afghanistan) and veterans have been speaking to large, flag-waving enthusiastic crowds.
On Friday we began with a rally and press conference in Bakersfield. All the media outlets were there. Yes, all of them. The network TV affiliates, the big newspaper in town, the news-talk radio station. Even the country music station sent a reporter. Realized the media had already covered our arrival into town late the previous night, they gave us a second round of reporting today as well! The crowd was gracious and kind and hugged our speakers and donated over 100 flags at that one stop alone.
You can read about the Bakersfield stop HERE, the Los Angeles stop HERE.
The caravan proceeded onward with the riders in front keeping the route clear as we drove through the heart of town. Cars had their lights on and hazards flashing. Horns were blaring from passing cars with people giving us “thumbs up” over and over. Others literally stopped on the sidewalks of the city and applauded. Many cheered and yelled “Right On!” or “Thank You!”
To keep up with the progress, check out the Move America Forward website. Also, check out Gail’s photos from the LA event. Sparks from the Anvil (Wordsmith in comment land) has some pictures AND video up HERE from the LA event.
DesertExile covers the Phoenix rally HERE. He’s one of us who’s been there.
Yankeemom has the story and photos from the Vacaville and LaFayette, CA. Make sure you take your thick skin with you because the actions of the left there will anger you. Like this picture:
If you get photos or videos from an event near you, let me know and I’ll link them or post them.
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CriticalFacts
I notice the ANSWER website includes information re gathering location and march route which does not, in fact, include the Vietnam Memorial. If memory serves, the entire reason for being of the Gathering of Eagles is to protect the war memorial from being defaced. But the top-post now states the reason is to “counter ANSWER and their anti-war socialists ….” (I guess I am a now a moron, socialist or anarchist; thanks for the compliment). Do I detect some mission-creep here?
[Anti-Bush ranting deleted by CJ. Libby has nothing to do with this post.] With all due respect to the military personnel serving on foreign soils, both current and past, I will no longer just sit back and place blind obedience in the lot of crooks and liars running the country. If marches attended by morons, socialists and anarchists are what it takes to get the point across, then so be it.
CJ
First of all, morons, socialists and anarchists isn’t what it’s going to take. It’s going to take total capitulation by Al Qaeda and the insurgents keeping us in Iraq long enough to build up Iraq security forces.
Second, The Gathering of Eagles WAS initially intended to guard the Vietnam Memorial and still is. Their plan of attack is to still march through or very closely near the memorial. The fact that I said “counter ANSWER and their anti-war socialists” hold true. That’s exactly what they would have done and that’s exactly what they’re still doing. They’re going to show that both sides of the debate can draw large crowds. Only ours will be more civilized than typical ANSWER protests.
wordsmith
CJ, the link to the LA Times piece covering the Los Angeles stop….click on the photo to enlarge. That’s me that gold-star dad, Kyle Crowley is hugging.
I found the experience of the rally very moving and for the first time since 9/11, felt a unity with fellow Americans, who believe as I do. The DC experience is going to be incredible. I hope it makes history, and a turning point in public sentiment and mood regarding the “war”.
I’m busy uploading photos from the caravan stop in Los Angeles, CJ. Come by and check it out; I have video clips too that are being uploaded.
Miriam
Unity and community (without the can’t tell the truth because I might offend someone nonsense) is what it’s going to take. I’m glad you had a good rally, Wordsmith. If you’re taking the trip, have a great time.
CriticalFacts
Why should anyone be angered by the photo above? Why should these individuals who are expressing what they truly believe be equated with morons, socialists or anarchists? Why is it that neo-con freeper philosophy is always the correct philosopy, and every person who selects not to abide by or disagrees with that philosopy is branded a moron, socialist or anarchist?
This statement about sums up what I am hearing: “You either support the troops the ASP way, or you are a moron, socialist or anarchist.” I don’t think that shows much support for the troops at all.
yankeemom
CF ~ I’ll tell you why the photo above angers me. I’m the mother of a soldier and if, god forbid, I lost her doing her duty to this country and found her name on one of those crosses put up by people who do not show respect her beliefs or mine, you betcha I’d be angry. How dare they take the names of our soldiers and use them for their anti-military agenda. Yes, that’s what it is ~ I was there. I heard what they had to say to those of us who asked why, esp. the father and mother of one of the “names” on those crosses. It’s enough that they lost their child ~ they should not see his or her name on a phony cross on a hillside that is not a cemetery, but a cheap political statement.
When those who are protesting this war can show respect for the choices these sons and daughters of ours made, maybe I’ll be more prone to listen. Using our sons and daughters as political fodder isn’t the way to go about it.
And maybe they need to ask the people who are closest to this “name”, if that “name” would appreciate being used this way.
tankerbrosbrat
CF – I dont usually get personal in any comments BUT, only a moron, in my opinion, would not understand WHY using fallen soldier’s names in a crass display as an ANTI-war statement is offensive. And it IS offensive, both to the parents and loved ones of these soldiers who laid down their lives so others could spout their anger at the political system, and to ANYONE who respects the choices that those soldiers made. They DID NOT, nor cannot now, choose what morons do to dishonour them.
To me, it has nothing to do with supporting or not supporting any war, or political agenda. It has EVERYTHING to do with respecting another human being. Only a stupid person (choosing to be so, or just genuinely so) would not recognise that basic fact.
I am done. Feel free to delete this “personal” comment if you like CJ!
Terri
I agree Brat and yankeemom. One of the articles that I read about this yesterday stated that the father of one of the fallen was extremely pissed off when he found his sons name on one of the crosses and ripped it off. CF, the reason it angers all of us is the fact that they didn’t even have the decency to contact the families of the fallen to get their permission, but instead used those names to further their propaganda. Like yankeemom I have a loved one in Iraq and if something (God forbid) happened to him, I would be infuriated if they used his name without my permission.
CriticalFacts
Sorry, gang. I did not know the names of soldiers appeared on the crosses; I thought they were just crosses. I appreciate your comments and will, therefore, leave this one alone.
GailAlison
My Mom & my son were in Vacaville. They didn’t think to take a camera.
Thanks for posting the link to my pictures CJ. I can’t even begin to tell you of all the emotions I felt during this rally. I was in tears many times. You wouldn’t think a motor home would cause tears but it did. I have always said that the number of people who support our troops is far higher than the people who don’t. It’s just that those of us who do support them are not braying jack @zzes. We are quiet & dignified in our support of our troops & country. So I guess seeing that we were not going to be quiet anymore really got to me. If you look at the people they are all happy smiling & full of joy to be there supporting our troops. Then look at the pictures of any peace protest. Anger, anger, anger, more anger & pure hatred. How ironic is that?