Bush supporters start camp countering war protesters [Fort Qualls, Crawford, Texas]

MySA.com/AP ^ | 08/20/2005 | ANGELA K. BROWN

[SwinneySwitch]

A patriotic camp with a "God Bless Our President!" banner sprung up downtown Saturday, countering the anti-war demonstration started by a fallen soldier's mother two weeks ago near President Bush's ranch.

The camp is named "Fort Qualls" in memory of Marine Lance Cpl. Louis Wayne Qualls, 20, killed in Fallujah, Iraq, last fall. His father, Gary Qualls of Temple, said his 16-year-old son also wants to enlist, and he supports that decision.

"If I have to sacrifice my whole family for the sake of our country and world, other countries that want freedom, I'll do that," said Qualls, a friend of the local business owner who started the pro-Bush camp, Bill Johnson.

Cindy Sheehan of Vacaville, Calif., started the war protest Aug. 6 off the road leading to Bush's ranch. It has grown to about 100 core participants, and hundreds more from across the nation have visited, many staying a few days.

Sheehan remained Saturday in Los Angeles, where she flew Thursday after her 74-year-old mother had a stroke. Her mother has some paralysis on her right side but is in good spirits, and if she improves Sheehan may return to Texas in a few days, some demonstrators said.

In her absence, the rest of the group will keep camping out for the unlikely chance to question the president about the war that has claimed the lives of about 1,850 U.S. soldiers. Sheehan's 24-year-old son, Army Spc. Casey Sheehan, died last year just five days after arriving in Iraq.

Sheehan had refused to leave until Bush talked to her or until the end of his monthlong vacation, scheduled for Sept. 3. Bush has said he sympathizes with Sheehan but won't change his schedule to meet with her. She and other families met with Bush about two months after Casey died, before she became a vocal opponent of the war.

Large counter-protests were held in a ditch near Sheehan's site a week after she arrived, and since then a few Bush supporters have stood in the sun holding signs for several hours each day.

But Johnson, who owns the town's biggest gift and souvenir store Yellow Rose, said he created "Fort Qualls" as a larger, more convenient place for Bush supporters. The tent and a trailer on a vacant lot beside his store will be staffed each day, but people will probably not sleep there.

"A lot of people saw a problem (with the war protest) and said there needs to be relief," Johnson said Saturday afternoon, as patriotic music played at the tent containing a life-size cardboard cutout of Bush.

Qualls gained attention last week when he went to Sheehan's camp, which has hundreds of crosses as a tribute to troops killed, and removed one bearing his son's name. But he said protesters keep replacing it; he has yanked two more crosses, saying the protesters' views are disrespectful to soldiers.

Johnson and others at "Fort Qualls" have asked for a debate with those at the Crawford Peace House, which is helping Sheehan.

It's unclear if that will happen. But a member of Gold Star Families for Peace, co-founded by Sheehan and comprised of relatives of fallen soldiers, said her group would not participate.

"We're asking for a meeting with the president, period," said Michelle DeFord, whose 37-year-old son, Sgt. David W. Johnson, was in the Army National Guard from Oregon when he was killed in Iraq last fall. "We don't want to debate with people who don't understand our point of view."

[bethtopaz]

Proof that they're out of control.

[Charlespg]

Good its about time

[Jrabbit]

He re-upped.....his insane mom despised him for it, IMO. That's what this is all about. The control freak didn't get her way, and now EVERYBODY has to pay!

[mystery-ak]

Cindy is a well known liar...everything she says is a lie.....Casey re-enlisted knowing full well that meant Iraq and he also volunteered for the mission in which he was killed......doesn't sound disillusioned to me....btw I heard Casey's CO the other day praising what a good soldier Casey was...

[jackbill]

It's a pity that Casey Sheehan, a heroic American, will probably go down in history, not for his gallant efforts, but for the fact that he had a demented mother.

Casey deserves better.

[Guenevere]

bttt

[nopardons]

I heard that too and don't believe a word of it.

[syriacus]

FR's own Congressman Billybob has made quite an offer, which can be found in post #5 and is as follows: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1463880/posts

Nice!!!

[God luvs America]

"We're asking for a meeting with the president, period," said Michelle DeFord, whose 37-year-old son, Sgt. David W. Johnson, was in the Army National Guard from Oregon when he was killed in Iraq last fall. "We don't want to debate with people who don't understand our point of view.".......aka- our is the only point of view which matters...

[Just A Nobody]

You are welcome. Hope the word gets out to the parents that do not want their loved ones used as an anti-war, anti-American, anti-President Bush, prop.

[Just A Nobody]

I have not read anything about it.

On second thought, I vaguely remember they did not move to that ranch, but chose to stay in the ditch. I could be wrong.

[Just A Nobody]

That thread and offer were posted last Monday.

I am just trying to get the word out.

[bethtopaz]

I do believe you hit the nail on the head.

[bethtopaz]

I do believe you hit the nail on the head.

[bethtopaz]

thanks for that info - I knew he had re-enlisted. I think it probably broke his heart that his mom wasn't supportive of him.

My son just joined the Air Force, and I couldn't be prouder of him!

[bethtopaz]

me neither - another one of Cindy's lies.

[Not just another dumb blonde]

They're too scared and uninformed to talk to someone who doesn't agree with them. Chicken shits. (Pardon my french). If they can't handle the heat, they should get out of the kitchen.

[nopardons]

That's all she does...LIE.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Which US GOP Senators are going to Crawford?
They have the time off work and can well afford to buy airline tickets.
Which GOP Governors will be in attendance?
The next President of the United States will be there
and I'll vote for him or her
because they supported our troops when they need it the most.

[Zacs Mom]

cross post from another thread ~ War Backers Start Camp Near Bush Ranch

Hey all y'all....check it out!!



A tent is being set up for the benefit of supporters of President Bush and the troops in front of the Yellow Rose in Crawford (at the intersection of highways 317 and 185.) The owner, Bill Johnson is an acquaintance of President Bush and wanted to provide a clearing house for Bush supporters who come to the area and wish to find out what's happening, how to organize, etc. Johnson said this group is trying to serve God and country. They plan a candlelight vigil Saturday next, in the evening, around the large angel silhouette on the tent site. They are calling the area Ft. Qualls, in honor of a fallen soldier whose father lives in Temple, Texas and supports President Bush and the war effort.

THIS ANGEL MARKS THE SPOT of the area where supporters of President Bush and the war effort may gather. It is adjacent to The Yellow Rose.

BILL JOHNSON (second from right) and others work to set up the area called Ft. Qualls

CONCESSION AND MUSIC — Anthony Farr, disabled army veteran (by a car bomb in Baghdad, from Bryant, Ark., but now living at Ft. Hood Hospital) is in charge the concession stand and music in the trailer next to Ft. Qualls.

Info and photos from The Lone Star Iconoclast ~ Photos By Gene Ellis