**Voices of Soldiers Tour Arrives In Iraq(Melanie Morgan/Move America Forward/Right Talk Radio)**

(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.

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.

The trip is being paid for by Move America Forward, along with individual talk show hosts and talk radio stations.

Hay fine how you doin'?

Yea Mealanie is doing great. I woke up at 5, but couldn't figure out why, I should have turned on the radio!

Here is an email I got last nite from MAF.

Hello everybody,

We're in Baghdad right now and wanted to give you a quick update on
the progress of the "Voices of Soldiers" Truth Tour.

We had a briefing with Iraqi Lt. General Abdul Qader Jassim who gave
us some outstanding news on the progress Iraqi forces are making to
assume control of security operations in their country. He estimated
that their forces are 60% of the way to where they need to be.

This is important, because until they achieve this U.S. troops won't
be able to withdraw.

Also, U.S. Col. Ben Hodges reported that 18 bases under Coalition
control have been transferred to Iraqi control. There remain 91
bases under Coalition control in the nation that still need to be
transferred to the Iraqi military.

We've spoken to a lot of soldiers and Marines and they all are so
proud to be serving on the frontlines in the war against terrorism.
They tell us that they think the work they are doing in Iraq is
critical to keeping America safe. They are disappointed that some
media outlets are so negative about their efforts here.

We'll be having audio clips of interviews with our troops published
online at http://www.MoveAmericaForward.org and also broadcast on the
radio. You should make a habit of listening to Melanie's reports
live from Baghdad every weekday from 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM Pacific
[which is equivalent to 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM Eastern]. Log on to
http://www.KSFO.com to listen to the radio program live - or if you
live in northern California tune in to 560 AM on your radio dial.

Finally - the guys and gals here tell us that they really appreciate
the cards and letters and care packages that are sent to them each
day. It lets them know they are being thought of by the people back
at home. And it also tells them the American people support them -
even when news reports suggest the public has turned against our
troops.

Please, show our troops how much we love them, and appreciate their
sacrifices... send a bag of gourmet coffee or a box of cookies to
our troops - you can do so online here:

http://www.moveamericaforward.org/index.php/MAF/CurrentProject/coffee_for_the_troops/

It's hot, really dusty (the dust is very fine - like talcum powder)
and we are very tired from little sleep, lots of work and lots of
travel. But this is such an important mission - and we're proud to
help our troops tell the American people exactly what's happening in
Iraq.

We'll write more soon!

-- Howard and Mel

I didn't know the makeup of the dust there, bummer.

First Pictures from Iraq from MAF

* This is where the “Voices of Soldiers” Truth Tour delegation is staying - a picture of our accommodations at Camp Victory:

* Howard Kaloogian with Iraqi Lt. General Abdul Qader Jassim:

* Brad Maaske (of the Iraqi Truth Project and KMJ NewsTalk 580 in Fresno), Lt. Col. Buzz Patterson (of the RightTalk Radio Network), and Martha Zoller (of WDUN NewsTalk 550 Atlanta/Gainesville) in front of the Iraqi Ground Forces Command:

* Lt. Col. Buzz Patterson at Camp Victory:

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