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

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."

Yeah - the image should best posted all over the internet, but what I really was talking about in my #79 post was this:

Gary Qualls speaks out

By Thaddeus DeJesus | August 20, 2005, 09:45 PM
On Saturday, Gary Qualls issued a letter to Cindy Sheehan. Qualls, whose son, Marine Lance Cpl. Louis Qualls, was killed in the battle for Fallujah, has taken exception to the use of his son’s name in a makeshift memorial created by peace activists at Sheehan’s Camp Casey near President Bush’s ranch.
Next week, Fort Qualls will have a grand opening as a counter-protest site in downtown Crawford.
The following is an unedited version of Qualls’ letter, which he read at a rally Saturday.
Cindy Sheehan,
I stand before you, your group of protesters, your unjust and unethical supporters. I also am a parent of a Fallen Hero, Lance Corporal Louis W. Qualls. I repossessed my son’s name and cross from your display, and I have informed you publicly to never use my son’s name for your unjust and political agendas. I publicly asked you and your followers to cease this activity, and to respect our Fallen Hero’s [sic], and honor them as they deserve. Our Fallen Hero’s [sic] gave their lives for this great country, for the people of Iraq, for all people that wish for freedom, and for the world, and they have earned our due respect and honor. All of our volunteers that serve in our military service have done so own [sic] their own accord. They have put their lives on the line for our ways of life, freedom and freedoms of speech. I have had phone calls and have heard from other parents of our Fallen Hero’s [sic] that are across this great nation, on radio stations, expressing their discontent on the use of their sons’ and daughters’ names on your cross display and for your political agenda. These great families are ashamed of you, your protests, and what you are trying to accomplish. You have not ever asked any great hero’s [sic] families for permission to use their fallen hero and family names. How dare you bring your pitiful and unjust protest into my back yard of Texas, and into the front yard of President George W. Bush.
Cindy Sheehan, you do have your right to protest and express your feelings. But you also have the duty and responsibilities as an American to use and set proper examples of honor and trust within this great nation, especially when using our fallen hero’s [sic] names.
America and the world has witnessed and watched you express what you want. But you have also shown that you do not know how to express the difference between what you want and what “We the People” truly need. War is not a pretty sight and always carries a loss of lives. But we Americans stand as a combined nation of all nationalities worldwide, and are known throughout this world as “We the People.” For you, Cindy Sheehan, have started an unethical protest within our nation, and in my backyard, the great state of Texas. We have seen and we have heard your unpatriotic voice long enough. “We the People” are starting to stand up and speak against you and your self-centered interests and pitiful perverted followers.
I am just an average man. I, myself, provided 28 years of service to our federal government and military. My son, Louis, was just starting his career when he gave his life to save his fellow brethren and the people of Iraq, our country, as well as the world. My youngest son, 16 years old, also wishes to serve our country. I will not stand in his way of his freedom to do so. I have been a single parent, dad, and father for most my sons [sic] lives. God blessed me with two great son’s [sic], and I have only one left. But if it takes the sacrifice of myself and my whole family to see to the security and health and well fair [sic] of The United States of America, and the world, then so be it!
Cindy Sheehan, as Americans and citizens of The United States of America, we all know that we cannot afford to just sit around and wait to loose [sic] another 3,000, or another 3,000, or another 3,000 innocent people from terrorism and terrorists. All families that have lost loved ones in this war and prior wars grieve with you and your loss, as well as myself, and all others. We all know that it is a price to be paid, for Freedom is Not Free! It has come time for all of us to put away our differences, and everyone in this great nation to stand up, One Nation Under God, and Indivisible, to fight for Liberty and Justice for All! I myself, and all decent standing Americans, do Pledge Allegiance to our Flag, and The United States of America.
I am personally asking senators and Congress to put away your self-centered agenda and to start working together as a unified people [sic] and representatives of our people, for we are at a state of war, and need better unity from all leaders of this country, The United States of America.
Cindy Sheehan, it is also time for you to go back home to the rest of your family. This should be your first priority as a parent and a mother. Honor your responsibilities and go back home.
God Bless America, God Bless President George W. Bush.
Father of a fallen hero,
Gary W. Qualls
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