Report from a group meeting with our Enemies

02/25/2004 | armymarinemom

[armymarinemom]

Report from a group meeting with our Enemies

 My husband and I did something that I never imagined we would do, we along with other military parents attended a Military Families Speak Out meeting. No, we haven't turned left wing but just took an opportunity that will probably never occur again.

 An ad ran in our local paper that a Chapter for Military Families Speak Out was forming in our area. They invited all parents with concerns over the war to attend. We considered this an opportunity because we do have concerns over the war with children deployed even though we don't disagree with what our children are doing. We have concerns with what these families are doing to our troop moral and just what groups these families have aligned themselves with. This was the perfect opportunity to share our concerns face to face with those whose beliefs are far from our own.

Entering a building occupied by a Peace and Justice center is a surreal experience all in itself. You feel like you have just stepped into another world that doesn't quite fit. The bookshelves were lined with publications that on the surface look fine until you notice just what issues they are supporting. There was a table towards the back of the room prepared for the meeting. Along the wall behind the table were photographs displaying a photo journal of the local area anti-war protests. I brought photos of my own which were 8 X 10's of my three sons and a print out of a 3 star service banner all placed on a large poster. I placed the poster in the middle of the table for all to see and sat down with the rest of the families that came with me.

Everyone introduced themselves. The Peace group had family members that were either distant, related by marriage to a child, in ROTC, or non-deployed. Only one member had an active duty child in the service. Our group had one couple with three active duty sons two of which are deployed, a spouse of a deployed Marine, a Veteran with two sons deployed, a Veteran who just supports local families, and a politician that works with Veterans groups. I had been asked by several families with active duty children many of whom are deployed and could not attend to speak for them also. We had them outnumbered.

After introductions we outlined what our concerns were with their group starting a Chapter in our area. We listed as our reasons:

• The organizations that they associated with.
  • We gave specific examples to extreme left wing groups that they are openly accepting help from in a coalition such as the CPUSA, Answer, International Action Center, and United for Peace and Justice.
  • One of the above mentioned groups has publicly stated in print that they fully support the insurgency in Iraq.
  • Supporting the insurgency would include the maiming and death of our beloved family members. Aligning themselves with such groups is in essence agreeing to have your own flesh and blood killed.
  • Family members of Military Families Speak Out have been witnessed posting on Jihad friendly web sites denouncing our troops. This gives aid and comfort to our enemies.

• They are using parents with real fear for political gain in a misleading manner.
• Most of our troops believe in what they are doing.
• Who are we to tell grown people that they need to stop doing their job and come home?
• The Iraqi people are better off now than before the War.
• Armymarinedad stated very well how most of our troops believe in what they are doing. He has spoken with thousand of them while greeting flights that come home from the Middle East and has openly discussed with them how they feel about the war.

Our statements were followed by a discussion about both the Iraqi War and the Afghanistan War that lasted well over an hour. The discussion did not change anyone's mind. We did get the most vocal out of their group to admit that bringing our troops home now was impossible and would cause the senseless death of thousands of innocent people. After our long discussion it was up in the air exactly what the long term goals of their group would be. They never did get around to discussing long term goals and objectives for the beginning of a chapter.

Our group left after shaking hands with smiles on our faces yet rather flabbergasted that we never got into a shouting match or get kicked out.

[optimistically_conservative]

As an armyson, thanks.

God bless.

[MEG33]

Way to go.The commies are always there if there is conflict and concern,ready to create chaos.

[sneakers]

God bless your children - and, please, thank them for their service, from me and my thankful and appreciative family!

[hedgetrimmer]

I congratulate you. The more information made available to people about these groups the better. You have done a very great thing-- you have gotten involved and you are defending America. Too few like you around these days....

[Tempest]

You're a brave woman to deal with those nutbags.

[BykrBayb]

Sounds like you shined a light on their activities. I'm sure you must have influenced some of the people present who may have otherwise been horn-swaggled by this anti-American group. Thank you.

[Howie66]

Tell them both "SEMPER FI!" for me, please?

I know one is a MARINE (The Few, The Proud) and the other is Army. As far as this old Cannon Cocker (U.S.M.C., 0811 '69-'71) is concerned, it just doesn't matter. They both are serving the cause of FREEDOM, and that transcends any intra-service rivalry at all.

With Respect, Appreciation and Love,

Howie

Ugh Rah!

[Faraday]

Thanks. Was it worth it to confront the enemy in this way?

[armymarinemom]

Thanks. Was it worth it to confront the enemy in this way?

Very much so. One thing I have noticed about these groups while they go to and from local protests is that they have to talk themselves into believing they are right. They also needed to know that they are in the minortiy in the community of local military families and in no way shape or form speak for us.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for going into the Lion's Den for us all.

[metesky]

Oh, into the lion's den, eh?

Were just military families there or were some of Bangor's commies hanging around?

[TaxRelief]

Infiltration of a "Military Families Speak Out" meeting.
The ultimate FReep.

[armymarinemom]

Were just military families there or were some of Bangor's commies hanging around?

They only had one family member who was not a member of Veterans for Peace. They also had a few of the PICA and P&JC group next door. It was creepy. LOL.

[Happygal]

Bravo.

I'm an Irish girl.
Who appreciates fully the freedoms I enjoy, that are protected ONLY by the US and UK forces.

God Bless you, and your family. And I mean that.

[wallcrawlr]

Great write up, thanks.

Good for you for stepping out and attending. Thats great.

Prayers to your family and those in the war.

[metesky]

Those Veterans For Peace guys really creeped me out at the 4th of July parade. Most of 'em looked like they never left the 60's and the rest looked like they came out of an alley looking for a bottle of muscatel.

Eewwwww!

[Angelwood]

Excellent report and FReep! Your report gives great talking points to others who might be able to talk to more groups forming chapters or for use when protesting the anti-war groups (March 20, 2004 comes to mind).

You might want to print off a copy of the DC Chapter's Flag Guide to show them just what types of groups/issues make up the anti-war coalition. These flags, symbols and signs never make it on broadcast TV or print media.

Again, thanks for this great post.

[Diver Dave]

Thank your sons for their service to our great nation. Then, turn to armymarinedad and thank him for his service followed by a conversation with that lady in the mirror and thank her as well.
Our sons and daughters, husbands and wives may wear the uniform and serve, but to those at home they serve our nation as well.

Salute to your sons and salute to you armymarinemom and armymarinedad.

I'm damned proud to be associated with you even though its just on the web. Thanks!

[BillF]

As an Air Force son and Air Force brother (he got back from the Gulf about 3 months ago), I have to say that you aim high and hit your targets. Well done!