An Open Letter to FR from Iraq

I am writing this in response to all the attention that Cindy Sheehan and her protests are getting. I am a deployed soldier with 2nd Squadron, 278th RCT at FOB Bernstein near Tuz Khurmatu, Iraq.

This is my second deployment. The first was from April 2003 to April 2004 and it was spent mostly in Qatar, but I also spent some time at Camp Cedar II just outside An Nasiriyah, Iraq. I volunteered to return with the 278th and I do not regret my decision at all.

Obviously, I believe in and support the war for a variety of reasons. I think that the invasion and liberation of Iraq demonstrated to those regimes that might be inclined to support terrorism that we were serious about our commitment to taking the fight to our enemies. I also believe that a democratic Iraq will serve as a positive influence over the rest of the region. At the same time, having a force in Iraq allows to us put direct pressure on Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia-all supporters of terrorism in one way or another-and draws prospective jihadis into this country where they can be dealt with militarily.

That is why I am so angry about Ms. Sheehan's media circus. I do not question her grief and anger over the death of her son and I do not begrudge her the right to protest. However, I do not see where her actions serve any useful purpose other than to embolden our enemies and weaken the resolve that is necessary to carry forward the fight to a victorious conclusion.

I admit that there are some soldiers here who have mixed feelings about the war and whether or not we are successful. They wonder how we will be able to define victory and what American soldiers are being sacrificed for. I try to answer that we should not expect the defeat of tyranny and fanaticism to be easy. That victory may not come for years and that we may not know it for years after that. I try to point out that we did not defeat Communist totalitarianism except after a long struggle, and that we were not able to carry the fight directly to its' most important strongholds even then. I also reply that those nations that we have helped to become democratic-South Korea, Japan, Germany-did not become so overnight.

I know that modern Americans are perhaps impatient and that they are perhaps not willing to bear sacrifice for long without some clear indication of success. However, I do not hear any alternative strategy put forth other than capitulation and that is not acceptable. Freepers, and other conservatives, will have to carry forward an important part of the fight. You will have to stand resolute in the face of the attempted emotional manipulation by the media of the Cindy Sheehan's of the world.

This will be difficult as the opposition will claim the high ground, but you must constantly remind the public of the price of defeat. A world in which our enemies can prey on our weakness will never be safe from bombings, hijackings or decapitation. The publicity battle is an important front in this struggle and Freepers have an important role to play.

This is an email I recieved, there will be a big rally soon for the troops there..........

We are receiving tremendous feedback from Americans who want to support our "You Don't Speak for Me, Cindy" Tour next week.

As you know, Move America Forward will be leading a caravan of military families who have loved ones serving in Iraq & Afghanistan to Crawford, Texas - where anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan has been camped out for the past two weeks.

The news media has been obsessed in reporting every anti-war comment Ms. Sheehan has made and we thought that it was high time that "the other side" was heard from.

Our caravan will culminate in a giant "We Support Our Troops & Their Mission" Rally in Crawford, Texas on Saturday, August 27th.

There has been a tremendous response from the news media - and we are working very hard to make sure our message gets heard around the world. (We've included some news articles further down in this email). We want the terrorists overseas to know full well: AMERICA STANDS BEHIND ITS TROOPS AND THE MISSION IN IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN.

We've also been very appreciative of the influx of contributions to help us pay for this trip. One of the components of this caravan will be ads airing nationwide on Fox News Channel urging Americans to head to Crawford on August 27th for our big patriotic pro-troop rally.

We must continue to receive your financial support to make this trip a giant success - to both pay for the costs of motorhomes, trucks, gas, motels, and the ad campaign. MoveOn.org is backing Cindy Sheehan's vigil. The anti-war activities are being coordinated by Joe Trippi (the man who ran Howard Dean's campaign - now the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee - see http://www.JoeTrippi.com ). We can't compete with their financial resources of this liberal, anti-military alliance without your help.

Please support us with a contribution. You can donate online:

http://www.MoveAmericaForward.org/Contribution

Or mail in a contribution:

Move America Forward
ATTN: Pro-Troop Crawford Trip
P.O. Box 1497
Sacramento, CA 95812

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PRE-CARAVAN MEDIA COVERAGE BEGINS!
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CNN is reporting on our pro-troop caravan and rally:

Meanwhile, the Right plans more anti-Sheehan pushback. The pro-Bush group, Move America Forward, will conduct the "You Don't Speak for Me, Cindy" caravan beginning next week. It will feature military family members who have loved ones serving in the war against terrorism in Iraq or Afghanistan. The delegation will be led by Deborah Johns of a group called Northern California Marine Moms. Johns will lead the caravan to Crawford, where she and Move Chairman Melanie Morgan will lead a "We Support Our Troops and Their Mission" rally on Saturday.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/08/17/sr.weds/

CNS News has a great story you can read online here:

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=\Nation\archive\200508\NAT20050817c.html

And the Oakland Tribune (and its sister newspapers) also have coverage of our efforts:

http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_2948628

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Americans Lining Up to Join Us
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Deborah Johns of Marine Moms (whose son has served in Operation Iraqi Freedom) will lead the caravan. We are pleased to announce that many other military families - including those who have lost loved ones in Iraq and the war against terrorism - will join us.

We've received word that the Free Republic Heart of Texas Chapter will mobilize their members to attend. We will be contacting other Free Republic chapters in Texas to see if they can join us.

Lt. Colonel Buzz Patterson (the man who carried the nuclear football - http://www.BuzzPatterson.com ) will be heading down from Atlanta, Georgia to participate.

Martha Zoller of WDUN 550 Atlanta/Gainesville is making the trek as well and bringing her listeners. You can find Martha on the Internet at www.MarthaZoller.com

Also, there are now the first t-shirts available online to show your support for the troops in Iraq. You can see it here:

http://www.thecampaignstore.com/store/itemdetail.asp?id=234

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Final note... help make this a success...
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Again, we need all the help we can get to make this huge undertaking a success. Please support us with a contribution. You can contribute online here:

http://www.MoveAmericaForward.org/Contribution

Or mail in a contribution:

Move America Forward
ATTN: Pro-Troop Crawford Trip
P.O. Box 1497
Sacramento, CA 95812

P.S. If you have loved ones serving in Iraq or Afghanistan and want to know how you can join the caravan (or rally in Crawford, Texas on August 27th) - or if you have general logistics questions/comments about the "You Don't Speak for Me, Cindy" Tour, you can email Move America Forward's Robert Dixon at:

Robert@MoveAmericaForward.org

Freepers, and other conservatives, will have to carry forward an important part of the fight. You will have to stand resolute in the face of the attempted emotional manipulation by the media of the Cindy Sheehan's of the world.

FReeprs are doing it, 91B!

Every Friday evening, opposite the entrance to Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Countering Code Pink's weekly Demostrations/Blood Dance.

Outside the White House tonight(Couldn't make that one. Finishing up Annual Tour) and opposite Cindy Sheehan's Media Circus in Crawford.

Wherever the Left congregates, they're eventually disappointed by the appearance of FReepers to counter them.

God Bless You.

Check Six.

Let Arty Clear Your Path.

Come Home Safe And Sound.

Jack.

I think a lot of soldiers and marines are fed up with the media misrepresentation of what is happening in Iraq:

DENVER - A Marine who was with the first group that went into Baghdad and spent the next three years in Iraq flew back to Denver Wednesday.

Marine Cpl. Dean Sanchez got an ecstatic welcome from his family when he arrived at the terminal at Denver International Airport.

Sanchez was fighting in Fallujah over the last eight months. His regiment lost one Marine. Sanchez was wounded once by sniper ricochet.

His family decided to pamper him a little on his return, starting with a limo ride. They said they planned to catch up on all the family celebrations that have been missed while he was away.

He told reporters that despite the perception by some that America is losing the war in Iraq, he and his colleagues have personally trained scores of Iraqi police officers that are ready to protect their country.

Marine returns after 3 years in Iraq

We understand that freedom and the safety or our nation isn't cheap, easy or free, it does take sacrifice and that is what many don't understand or want to understand because they don't want to do it themselves. I just cringe and pray everyday for our soldiers. I'd like you to be able to come home but I know that there is a job that must be finished.

I remember my own father, who went to Canada and joined up before the U.S. joined the war in Europe, he thought he was doing the right thing. It didn't come without pain and suffering throughout his lifetime but he never regreted what he did. He fought for freedom, not just for the U.S. but for the world.

So many think we're fighting for mostly ungrateful Iraqis and not for the United States. They also try to tell us as Cindy S. has that its all about oil and making money. They don't understand that a democratic Iraq is good for Iraqis, the U.S. and the world.

If you have any ideas of how we can convey your feelings I could sure use some more guidance. I wouldn't mind hearing from eyewitnesses what is going on and hearing many viewpoints from those in the know.

Maybe we could keep this thread going and you could get other soldiers to post too.

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