Local Houston Soldier Complains About Anti-War Protests While She Serves in Iraq

ABS NEWS Channel 13 Houston Texas ^

[buffyt]

Natasha Hill of Houston was on TV last night. She was being interviewed from the ship where she is serving US in Iraq. She said she works 16 to 18 hours a day to protect her family. She is very much bothered by the anti-war protests. On the ship they do get a lot of news from home. She said the anti-war protests concern her a LOT MORE than the news from the war front.

The anti-war protestors are hurting the morale of our soldiers!

The "peace" protestors side with the Iraqi "Dirty Nine," including Saddam and his sons, Uday and Qusay, supporting THEIR side, giving them aid and comfort.

[First_Salute]

Bump.

[camle]

I'd like to see an editorial cartoon depicting US soldiers guarding a trench from a dangerous enemy whilst the peacniks are safe on the inside - urinating into said trench. pity I can't draw.

[buffyt]

I think our local papers and local TV stations are doing a better job of supporting our troops and covering the Rallies for America, at least they are now that the war has begun. They are putting big color photos of the rallies on the front page. They are announcing rallies ahead of time. They are publishing letters to the editor that support the Bush administration and the military. How are the papers doing in your areas across the USA?

After this interview on the ten o'clock news last night, we KNOW that the "peace" protests do harm the morale of our soldiers/sailors... We already knew it gives comfort to the enemy.

Thanks Hollywarped for doing this to our military.... Our finest.... Our bravest! Daring to go and serve where many of us dare not go!

[buffyt]

Salute to our troops While being held by her uncle, Gene Newton of Alvin, Texas, Faith Bagwell, 2, waves the American flag Sunday afternoon at the “Musical Salute to Our Troops” rally at National Oak Park in Alvin.

Published March 31, 2003

[buffyt]

That photo was front page of our local paper yesterday, THE FACTS, Brazosport Texas.

[anymouse]

Can you post that article? Is it on-line?

[anymouse]

Another report on how important our rallies and counter-FReeps of the anti-America rallies are to our troops and their families.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the heads up!

[Texas Mom]

The Facts Backing our troops

By Michael Baker
The Facts

Published March 31, 2003

ALVIN — National Oak Park was awash in red, white and blue Sunday as about 400 residents rallied behind the fighting troops, President Bush and the nation.

“It looks like Uncle Sam threw up here,” joked Robert Burkhart, a Christian humorist from Iowa Colony.

The event was dubbed the “Musical Salute to our Military Troops.” Alvin resident Andy Zumwalt and a friend had started organizing the rally less than a week before, and Zumwalt said he was pleased with how quickly it came together.

The rally featured patriotic music, prayer and, as Burkhart noted, innumerable forms of Old Glory, such as streamers, pinwheels and even as a decoration for a child’s bicycle spokes. Zumwalt said he put the event together to counter media attention to protests against the war. Alvin resident Julie Pyburn, who read a letter from President Bush praising the rally, agreed.

“It’s about time some of us made our voices heard,” Pyburn said.

Since polls show a majority of Americans support the war, the attention focused on the protests puts out an inaccurate picture of what Americans really think, Burkhart said.

He specifically mentioned the coverage given to a handful of protesters in Boston who laid in the street to convey their message.

“You know what you call 40 to 50 protesters laying in the middle of the road?” Burkhart said. “A good start. But if they’re laying down on the job, I think it’s time we stand up for our country.”

At one point in the rally, all those with family members in the military were given the chance to shout out their relatives’ names. One such participant, Alvin resident Joy Hendrix, has a brother-in-law who is in the service overseas. She saw him recently — on one of Ted Koppel’s news segments, she said.

Hendrix said she appreciated the rally’s support for her brother-in-law and the other troops. She hoped Saddam Hussein would be removed swiftly from power, she said.

“I love it,” Hendrix said. “Now, we need to get that man out of there and get it over with, so we can get our boys home.”

Alvin resident Vicki Williams, who teaches elementary school in Pasadena, said she’s gained great respect for those in the military while volunteering with the American Red Cross.

“I know a lot of people in the military, and you wouldn’t believe the dedication these kids have,” Williams said. “If we don’t stand beside them, it will be like Vietnam all over again.”

Alvin Police Chief Mike Merkel also attended the event, but not to participate. He was there on duty, to make sure the rally did not get out of hand or that counter protesters did not show up to start a disturbance.

Were he given the chance, Merkel said he would have gladly joined the rally.

“Right now, I’m officially neutral,” Merkel said. “But if I weren’t, I’d definitely be out here to support our troops and our President.”

[Texas Mom]

I just did..

[Texas Mom]

I think our local papers and local TV stations are doing a better job of supporting our troops and covering the Rallies for America, at least they are now that the war has begun.

The only problem with that is, it isn't getting to the troops.

If you look at the hundreds of small rallies like this all over the country in small town USA these numbers far outweigh the large protests in the big cities.

It takes money to put on these rallies and protests. The small town rally's are being paid for locally by small businesses and individuals. The protests have people like Hollywood, A.N.S.W.E.R. and socialist organizations funding them and bussing people in to protest.

That's the difference.

[buffyt]

Another story from http://www.thefacts.com

LJ neighbors unite in support

By Allison Pollan
The Facts
Published March 29, 2003

LAKE JACKSON — While trees throughout town have been dressed with the occasional yellow ribbon since the war with Iraq began, one street block has taken the salute to the troops to a new level.

Neighbors in the 300 block of Carnation last Saturday adorned the trees in front of about 25 houses with yellow ribbons to show solidarity and support for troops overseas.

“It was just something we wanted to do to give a visual message to all the people that drive by that we’re hoping for a speedy return of our servicemen,” said Sue Rieschick, whose 24-year-old son, Jeremy, is in the Air Force and currently in Qatar.

Rieschick enlisted the help of her neighbor, Julie Sims, who has a 20-year-old son in the

military, stationed in Little Rock, Ark.

“It was a reminder every day we have troops over there

since both of us have kids in the military,” Sims said. “We have a reminder because we think about it every day. We felt like everyone else needed a reminder.”

Neighbor Jo Ann Forse also got involved, asking others on the street to make sure they wouldn’t mind if the ribbons were tied in their front yards.

“Nearly everyone I talked to on the street when I was knocking on doors either has a relative of some sort who was in the service at this time,” Forse said. “They felt so proud that we did this and wanted to do this on our block. A lot of people say it just kind of gives them a feeling of thanksgiving that people are willing to show their support.”

Nanci Burgess said she was glad to see the signs of support in her neighborhood.

“My son was in Desert Storm, so I was glad to see people were still putting up the yellow ribbons,” Burgess said. “We did at that time and I’m glad to see people are still doing it.”

[buffyt]

THANKS! I couldn't find that one. Just call me techno-goof!

[buffyt]

My future son-in-law is in Navy training school in Florida and he had not heard about the protests or the rallies until my daughter went to visit him. They were watching TV news and he saw a protest. It just kills these brave young men! He had not heard about it. I told her to tell him about the RALLIES FOR AMERICA! Here is Robby, who right out of high school wanted to serve his country, do his duty, see the world, get college money... and look at the thanks he gets. I think they keep these guys very busy on purpose so they won't have time to hear about the protests. He is busy from early in the morning till late in the evening. The protestors are aiding and comforting our enemy! Remember 9/11 !!!!!!

[anymouse]

Thanks!