If the rabid left thinks that sending mail to a families home will shut them up, they are sadly mistaken.
Posted on 08/22/2005 8:50:40 PM PDT by tgslTakoma
VACAVILLE, Calif. - A caravan proclaiming support for U.S. troops began a tour through California on Monday, stopping in the hometown of Cindy Sheehan, the anti-war mother who gained national prominence during a vigil outside President Bush's Texas ranch.
Conservative activists and military families embarked on the tour they call "You don't speak for me, Cindy!" They planned rallies in several California cities before heading to Crawford, Texas.
About 30 Bush supporters staged a rally outside the offices of the Vacaville Reporter newspaper.
"It's time to lay down the anger. We need to continue to uphold those people over there, to uphold those men and women with their boots on the ground," said Deborah Johns of the Northern California Marine Moms, who helped organize the caravan, which is sponsored by Move America Forward, a Bay Area-based group.
Sheehan began a protest vigil Aug. 6 on the road leading to Bush's ranch, an act that has encouraged anti-war activists to join her and prompted peace vigils throughout the country. Sheehan's 24-year-old son, Army Spc. Casey Sheehan, was killed last year in Iraq.
A verbal confrontation erupted when the caravan arrived in Sacramento and was met by anti-war protesters chanting "Bring them home."
Sheehan supporter Dan Elliott, 71, confronted caravan members by waving a sign reading "Death is not support" and heckling Johns as she addressed the crowd.
"You are ruining the morale over there," responded Greg Parkinson, a Bush supporter.
Some caravan members called the anti-war protesters communists and said they were "aiding and abetting the enemy." Those comments enraged Sheehan supporter Dee Ann Heath, who said she has two sons serving in Iraq and another preparing to leave.
"I don't support the war, but I support my sons," she said. "I simply want them to come home."
In Vacaville, Toni Colip, 50, said her son, David, went to high school with Casey Sheehan and is now in the Marines, although not in Iraq. She said her son opposes Sheehan's activities and has asked her to support his military service even if he is injured or killed.
"He said, 'Don't dishonor me, don't walk on my grave,'" Colip said.
The pro-Bush caravan plans to join fellow supporters who have set up their own camp in downtown Crawford as a reaction to the Sheehan-inspired vigil. Bush was in Salt Lake City on Monday, where he spoke to a national veterans group to rally support for the war.
Sheehan vowed to remain in Texas until Bush agreed to meet with her or until his monthlong vacation ended Sept. 3, but she flew to Los Angeles last week after her 74-year-old mother had a stroke. She is expected to return to Texas in a few days.
Several of those in the caravan said they understood Sheehan's anger but disagreed with her protest.
"This is not the way to honor her son," said Lori Judy, 49, of Vacaville, whose son, Tim, served in Iraq.
August 22, 2005 11:01 PM
Doesn't Vacaville translate to "Cowtown"?
Dee Ann "Sheehan"?
me me me me me me me me
With this amount of news coverage, it looks like you guys in Texas may have a lot of pro-troops and pro-America visitors this weekend!
He knows what he is talking about... He just returned from Iraq for 14 days leave...
Wrong-o!
I hit refresh.
450, now! :)
WAY TO GO!!!!!
Fort Wayne, IN - Miami, FL - Bakersfield, CA - Jacksonville, FL - Philadelphia, PA - Houston, TX - Reno, NV - Macon, GA - Alabama - Missouri - UK - Biloxi, MS - Charlotte, NC - Louisiana - Duluth, MN - all over California - Grand Forks, ND - all over Texas - Washington, DC - Seattle, WA - Kansas - South Carolina...
Yep, and I'd say some are more easily cowed than others.
That is the most vile and despicable thing I've seen. I'm so sorry you had to receive that. Our prayers are with you.
Well it just makes me want to speak out more often. These people would be greeting our troops this way if we would let them.
That's terrible. I'm sorry you had to receive that!!!
Me too! Actually I got this post card and a letter. The letter was civil but stupid. Oddly both had the same address error but were from different parts of the country. </p>
That is so right. There is no way we can let even one of our marvelous military be greeted anywhere near the way some Vietnam vets were greeted. Never again. I'll take it for them if need be.
That is horrible. Can it be traced back?
The left is really trying to shut out positive families. I hope the caravan is driving them nuts!
So! Two geeks got together and thought they'd be CLEVER???
Sheesh.
Hang on to them....you never know. And remember the next time you fill up your gas tank how horrible it would be had we NOT gone to war for oil! /off EXTREME SARCASM
We're here for you...let any of us know if you need anything, OK?
Yeah, ya know Dee Ann, I'd love for my son to come home too! But I take pride in the fact that he, (along with your son's), are protecting America and your right to be the whining, sniveling, little coward you are! I'm sure your boy's would be ashamed of you,and you and your like will always sicken me!
Thanks. You know you have done the right thing when you tick off a liberal:)
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