Move America Forward photographer Mary Pearson snaps a shot of Deborah Johns, center, a military mom on the tour, with local supporters Juanita Collins, left, and Jim Collins, right. (John Sents/Elko Daily Free Press)
Posted on 09/20/2005 6:41:27 PM PDT by ajolympian2004
'Move Forward' bus visits
By JOHN SENTS - Staff Writer Tuesday, September 20, 2005 1:57 PM PDT
ELKO - About a dozen well-wishers greeted the Move America Forward bus last night when it pulled into the Red Lion Inn & Casino on its 20-stop, cross-country tour to show support for America's troops and counter the efforts of anti-war advocate Cindy Sheehan.
Sheehan and her supporters are nearing the end of a seperate bus tour sending a message to bring America's troops home.
Move America Forward photographer Mary Pearson snaps a shot of Deborah Johns, center, a military mom on the tour, with local supporters Juanita Collins, left, and Jim Collins, right. (John Sents/Elko Daily Free Press)
The Move America Forward bus pulled in more than half an hour after it was scheduled to arrive in Elko - the last stop on the tour's first day. Although the Red Lion had put up a "Welcome Move America Forward" headline on their reader board, some attendees said there was some confusion about whether the tour was coming.
Still, the small group of supporters that did attend thanked members of Move America Forward for making the trip, took pictures in front of the group's tour-bus, and listened to patriotic songs.
Local supporters at the Elko stop said they agreed with Move America Forward's "pro-troop" and "anti-Sheehan" message.
"We just don't like this type of thing Cindy Sheehan is putting out," said Elko resident Ed Barrington, a Navy veteran whose granddaughter's husband has served in recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Barrington and his wife, Emma, said Sheehan's message to end the conflict in Iraq is not supportive of the troops.
"We would say she is not supporting them, she is deserting them," said Emma Barrington.
Elko was the last town that Move America Forward visited yesterday, after making stops in San Francisco; Vacaville, Sacramento and Reno. The cross-country tour is a continuation of the group's recent "You don't Speak for Me, Cindy" tour that traveled from San Francisco to Crawford, Texas, to counter Sheehan's anti-war demonstration outside President George W. Bush's Texas ranch.
Move America Forward members said their last tour drew thousands to counter Sheehan's protest. At this point in the Move America Forward tour, there are about 15 members riding in the tour bus and another car travelling with the bus, organizers said.
Among those participating in the tour include Deborah Johns, mother of Marine corporal William Johns, a soldier who has served two tours of duty and plans to soon return to Iraq for a third tour. Others on the tour include Joseph Williams, father of Michael Williams, a soldier killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Joseph Williams resides in Vacaville, Calif., the same hometown as Sheehan.
Both Johns and Williams said the response to their tour has been positive so far, with several hundred supporters showing up at stops on the tour's first day. Both feel strongly about their message.
Deborah Johns said it hurts those in the military "tremendously" to hear of protesters speaking out against the conflict. Johns said the current Move America Forward tour, like the last tour, has generated a positive response.
"It has been 'Thank you for having the courage to say what we have been feeling in our homes but have been silent,'" Johns said. "It is time that the majority voice got up out of their easy chairs and said 'We are not going to take this any more!'"
Williams said he expects the tour will continue to be positive.
"I think we need to support the troops and get the word out that people are for them and not against them," Williams said.
The tour continued cross-country this morning for its next stop in Salt Lake City. The tour concludes in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 25.
Still to come, Cheyenne WY, Denver CO, Lincoln and Omaha NE, Des Moines IA, Chicago IL, Indianapolis IN, Cincinnati - Dayton & Columbus OH, Pittsburgh - Shanksville & Harrisburg PA and Baltimore MD.
Rally info for Washington, DC - Friday Sept. 23rd through Monday Sept. 26th: http://www.supportthetroopsweekend.org/
BUMP
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