Local Gold Star Families Take Secret Trip to Iraq [FReepers Included]

Sacramento Union ^ | Published: November 3, 2006 | SacUnion Staff Report

[Jim Robinson]

In a stunning and historic trip under the utmost secrecy, a delegation of families of fallen U.S. troops have traveled to Iraq to counter critics of the war effort, just days before the Nov. 7 midterm elections.

The delegation of “Gold Star Families” agreed to provide the Sacramento Union with an exclusive account of their trip to Iraq based on the assurance that news of their mission would not be published until they had safely left Amman, Jordan.

So secret is their trip that even members of the Bush Administration were kept in the dark about their planned activities.

They’ve come to Iraq from cities throughout America as part of a 12-person delegation in a history-making effort – no other coordinated group of “Gold Star Families” has ever traveled to Iraq, and they come with a message that is sure to ignite a firestorm of debate.

“The American people are shown a skewed picture of the situation in Iraq day after day by the international news media. We felt it was time to allow the families of U.S. troops who died in Iraq to come see the progress being made in Iraq and report it back to the American ,” said Melanie Morgan, Chairman of Move America Forward.

Move America Forward, a Sacramento-based pro-troop non-profit organization is organizing the 10-day journey to Iraq. The group previously led a contingent of radio talk show hosts to Iraq in July 2005.

To demonstrate their contention that things are better in Iraq than what has been portrayed in many news accounts, the delegation is intentionally traveling to Iraqi provinces that have largely been free of the violence that has erupted in Baghdad and the surrounding Sunni triangle.

[2Jedismom]

Posted by jar jar / Nov 04, 2006

This person shames the name of my dearly-departed chicken Jar Jar, that was killed by a dog in April.

[glaseatr]

Jim,

Thank you for this post. I and the rest of our family can not wait to get a report as to what's really changed in areas other than Baghdad.

We do get updated info on the hell hole better know as Sadr City from Chris when we get the chance to talk to him.

[Jim Robinson]

LOL. Just started a little forum to rag against an overreaching government. Thank God for all the FReepers that signed on since and who do all the heavy lifting! And thank God for Melanie Morgan! She's a human dynamo for Liberty!

[fanfan]

To: Jim Robinson; All
Hi, Jim. Greetings from free Iraq!

We're getting settled in here. Will have more later.

Bye for now.
122 posted on 11/04/2006 10:45:57 AM EST by kristinn
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Allegra, they made it!

[MOgirl]

Hello,

WOW! Great news, bless them and keep them safe.

Glad to be here, MOgirl

[fanfan]

As another FReeper said today, those families have given everything, and they are still giving.

Bless them for sure!

[EDINVA]

"The Gold Star Families delegation has ties to conservatives affiliated with or supportive of the Republican Party including the presence of conservative activist Kristinn Taylor"

I read that to mean Kristinn is among the delegation.

[fanfan]

Yes he is.

See post #122!

[EDINVA]

God Bless Kristin and the Gold Star Families ... keep them safe that they can continue their great work.

[StarFan]

Holy Smokes! May God bless them as they make the journey and prayers for everyone's safe return.

[Lurker]

I'd like to get my hands on this jar jar creep for just two minutes.....

L

[nutmeg]

My understanding is Kristinn is on the mission. God bless him.

Oh my goodness... God bless Kristinn and all of the Gold Star families he is with in Iraq. May they all return safe and sound to us here in the USA...

[stand watie]

PONG!

free dixie,sw

[nutmeg]

Greetings from free Iraq!

Wow, that is SO cool, Kristinn! God bless you and all of the Gold Star Families. Stay safe... we're looking forward to hearing all about the trip very soon... :o)

nutmeg & zelig

[nutmeg]

Check this out, FRiends... Kristinn is in Iraq with the Gold Star Families!

Thank you, firebrand, for the heads up on this information.

[nutmeg]

Check this out, FRiends... Kristinn is in Iraq with the Gold Star Families!

[nutmeg]

Check this out, FRiends... Kristinn is in Iraq with the Gold Star Families!

[GoldwaterChick]

Thank you for this post, Jim. In their grief these parents are showing us why we are still the Land of the free and the Home of the Brave. We owe their sons and daughters a debt we can never hope to repay. All they ask is that we support their mission. I wonder how these libs can sleep at night, knowing their actions are giving aid and comfort to the enemy?

May God Bless them all and keep our troops from harm.

[tgslTakoma]

Just to clarify (and I know that Kristinn would want to do so, if he had a computer with him)... he was invited by Melanie Morgan to go with the Gold Star parents, and he was honored to go with them. All the dedicated folks working at Move America Forward made the arrangements.

The bravery of the Gold Star parents who are on this trip proves the saying that "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

God Bless them all and protect them during the remainder of their trip.

[tgslTakoma]

Well, I kept the secret. I didn't know how many ways I could "spin" your absense at Walter Reed last night. I'm still dizzy.

Please hug all the Gold Star parents for me and tell them thank you for raising real American heroes.