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Union with an exclusive account of their trip to Iraq based on the assurance that news of their mission would not be published until they had safely left Amman, Jordan.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.

[tgslTakoma]

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.

Amen.

[tgslTakoma]

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

Bless them for sure!

Amen again.

[AnimalLover]

Fantastic!

[angelsonmyside]

Actually Jim Robinson pointed them out I just made the same observation.

I do hope that while we continue praying for these truly heroic families that have lost so much yet continue to give so much, we also stay diligent in informing the authorities of this kind behavior of ones that wish harm to them and others.

[GoldwaterChick]

Major ping - Local Gold Star families take secret trip to Iraq--and the rats come out to attack them!

[MonicaG]

I appreciate your son's service and your family's sacrifice, USMCPOP. God bless.

[GoldwaterChick]

We grieve with you for your son, USMCPOP, and thank you for raising such a fine young man. To quote President Reagan, where do we find men like these? It is such an honor to be able to live in a country that is free only because so many men have died to keep it that way, and now young women too. I know that you keep your son very close to your heart and can't imagine your loss. May God be with you and your family always.

I know these parents are making the trip in all your names. I can't wait to hear the reports of their reception---there will be tears on both sides!

[GoldwaterChick]

Why does my tagline keep disappearing? (:

[george76]

Thanks for the ping.

The video was excellent.

[Calpernia]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1732464/posts

[hoosiermama]

Prayers going up!

[Allegra]

Allegra, they made it!

I saw that! I FReepmailed Kristinn my Iraq mobile number last night, just in case they have time to meet someone who wants to shake all of their hands and thank them for what they are doing.

Kristinn has contacted me on past occasions when I was going to DC (I have family in the area) and we haven't been able to meet up yet.

It would be ironic if we were able to manage that here. LOL

[jan in Colorado]

God Bless our troops and their families ping!

[hsalaw]

I am humbled by the courage, strength, and commitment of these parents. Our military is the finest in the world because its members come from strong, loving, honorable, faithful, determined, and courageous parents like these. May God bless them all.

[cmsgop]

Kristinn

WOW! Too Cool, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY SKIPPER!

[Just A Nobody]

Thanks for the ping Jim! What an awesome trip for them to make. Prayers for their safe return

[Just A Nobody]

Thanks for the ping! Prayers up!

[Alamo-Girl]

Buuump!

[Candor7]

Bless these Gold Star families who are willing, as were their loved ones, to enter a combat theater of war.Their resolve brings tears to my eyes.

Thank G_D we have patriots such as these. Without them and others like them, we would have no Republic, but a pseudo Utopia based on socialist values which abhor freedom.

Thanks Jim! Outstanding News!

[prairiebreeze]

FreeRepublic.com made international headlines in the 2004 presidential campaign when its members discovered that documents used by CBS News to question George Bush’s National Guard service were in fact forgeries.

Proving there is no reason in the world that we should believe one darned word that the msm spews at the American public.

Prayers for everybody on this trip and thanks to kristinn who will respresent us all so well.

Thanks for the ping Peach. My monthly donation will have some extra in it this month. Rock On, FR!!