Posted on 09/22/2005 8:07:15 AM PDT by ajolympian2004
American flags, patriotic songs and pro- troops rhetoric filled the west steps of the state Capitol on Wednesday as the "Support the Troops and Their Mission" bus tour stopped in Denver to rally support for the war in Iraq.
Organized as a response to anti-war military mom Cindy Sheehan, the tour featured military parents Deborah Johns and Joseph Williams, whose son, Marine Lance Cpl. Michael Williams, died in Iraq on the third day of the war.
"I joined the tour because I'm just tired of hearing Cindy Sheehan and her rhetoric," said Williams, who lives in Vacaville, Calif., Sheehan's hometown. "It got to the point where I had to say something about it."
The bus tour left San Francisco on Sept. 19 and plans to rally in Washington after stopping in more than 20 cities.
Addressing Sheehan and other war opponents, Johns accused liberals of using the deaths of troops in Iraq for political purposes, and she said the press ignores Iraqi success stories.
"The negatives of the world get more attention than the positives of the world," she said. "We cannot sit in our easy chairs and be frustrated; we need to push back.
Jeanne Hines of Arvada joins others Wednesday in singing the national anthem during a rally at the state Capitol. A bus tour of people supporting U.S. troops and the war in Iraq made a stop in Denver, one of more than 20 cities it plans to visit on its way to Washington. (Post / Will Singleton)
Our men and women need you."
Levi Martinez, a World War II Army veteran who served in the Philippines and New Guinea, echoed the sentiments of many in attendance.
"I came down because I support 1,000 percent the people serving in Iraq and I support the president," he said.
Jeff Miller, left, of Denver and Carol Moore of Arvada sign a banner at a rally Wednesday at the state Capitol. The banner will be sent to troops in Iraq. (Post / Will Singleton)
Mary Gilmere, a member of the Rocky Mountain Military Moms, said she came to the rally to show support for her son, Marine Cpl. Alex Gilmere, who has not been stationed in Iraq.
"We just support President Bush, the mission and to honor the troops laying down their lives for freedom, democracy and our protection," the Evergreen resident said.
Support the Troops Weekend Sept 23 - 26 http://www.supportthetroopsweekend.org/
Ping
Thanks for staying on top of this stuff and keeping us posted. Bump for all those patriots on the bus!
Thanks for the ping. Looking forward to your report!
Bump
I'm sure the word "rhetoric" has been used many times in articles about SIN-dy. /sarcasm
The OLD MEDIA pukes just can't help themselves, can they?
Pretty decent coverage!
Hey FReeper girl ... great job!!!
Thank you for being there and doing the report. Good job!
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