Tuesday, July 12th, 2005
Voices of Soldiers Tour Arrives In Iraq
Move America Forward
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 12, 2005
CONTACT: Mark Washburn at (916) 441-6197
Around the Nation Arrive in Iraq
for “Voices of Soldiers” Truth Tour
(SACRAMENTO) – The “Voices of Soldiers” Truth Tour organized by Move America Forward (website: www.MoveAmericaForward.org) and RighTalk Radio Network has arrived in Baghdad, Iraq.
The delegation includes talk show hosts from around the country as well as the leadership of Move America Forward who will all file live reports on the situation in Iraq to radio stations and networks covering the entire nation.
The purpose of this trip is to provide a means for the men and women of the U.S. military serving in Iraq to have their voices heard – direct and unfiltered. The talk show hosts will broadcast live from Iraq – with broadcasts streamed at www.RighTalk.com
Last week the group received an extensive briefing on conditions in Iraq, the status of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and other national security issues from officials at the U.S. Central Command, based at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. Brigadier General John Custer (CENTCOM’s #2 official and top Intelligence Officer) led the briefing.
“We are very excited to have the opportunity to allow the men and women serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom the opportunity to report on this mission as they see it. I know the American public welcomes the opportunity to hear directly from the Marines, soldiers, airmen and seamen who are on the front lines in the war against terrorism,” said Melanie Morgan, Co-Chair of Move America Forward and also a leading radio host on KSFO 560 AM in San Francisco.
On Friday, Move America Forward and Stafford Hospitality of Tifton, Georgia threw a “Thank You BBQ” for over 600 CENTCOM officials and troops serving at MacDill Air Force Base.
“For me, the best part of this trip is the chance to thank the brave men and women who are fighting to keep our nation safe and free. I was extremely impressed by the caliber of our troops at MacDill Air Force Base and the leadership of U.S. Central Command. Now I have the chance to help our troops report directly to the people back at home the conditions in Iraq – as they see it,” said Howard Kaloogian, Move America Forward’s other Co-Chairman.
Kaloogian served from 1994-2000 as a Republican state legislator (R-CA).
The trip has attracted criticism from some – mainly those who oppose the mission in Iraq.
“There are some people who aren’t necessarily the biggest fans of the U.S. military who are trying to undercut this effort by suggesting it is somehow paid for by the U.S. Government or taxpayers – and that is completely untrue,” said Lt. Col. Buzz Patterson, a host with the RighTalk Radio Network and board member of Move America Forward.
The trip is being paid for by Move America Forward, along with individual talk show hosts and talk radio stations.
“We have talk radio hosts who have paid upwards of $15,000 out of their own pockets just so they can have the chance to be in the middle of a war. We’re here because we believe the guys and gals in uniform deserve to be heard from. They’ve told us in emails and letters that there is a story about the achievements being made in Operation Iraqi Freedom that aren’t being reported by most news outlets. Now they can tell the truth of the war effort as they see it,” Howard Kaloogian said.
The group will be based at Camp Victory and will also travel to the Green Zone in downtown Baghdad to report on conditions as they see them.
“This isn’t a vacation to a tourist trap – this is the real deal. We’re going straight to the war zone in Iraq where our men and women of the Armed Forces are fighting for the cause of freedom each day, and we’re prepared to put ourselves in jeopardy because we believe so strongly in the need to provide a voice to our soldiers” said Melanie Morgan.
More information on the “Voices of Soldiers” Truth Tour can be found at www.VoicesOfSoldiers.com and www.MoveAmericaForward.org
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