Free Republic

This is not going to come as a surprise to most readers here, but this testimonial by Marlon Bateman deserves to be shared. This story reflects what the core of Donald Trump is about.Marlon Bateman – “Last week, I had the honor to accompany several Gold Star parents to meet with President Trump in Bedminster. These parents lost their children when Abbey Gate was bombed in the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, which was orchestrated by Joe Biden.While Biden continues to ignore these families’ requests for answers, President Trump listened to them, he mourned with them, and he was genuinely devastated...

GOLD STAR MOTHER'S AND FAMILY'S DAY, 2017 - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION As we solemnly observe Gold Star Mother's and Family's Day, we honor and extend our deepest gratitude to the families of military service members who gave their last full measure of devotion to our country. Gold Star families have paid the ultimate price for our Nation's freedom with the life of their loved ones. Our grateful Nation grieves with them in their loss, but also shares their pride in the selfless service of their sons...

The mother of a Benghazi victim who blames Hillary Clinton for her son’s death will attend the third presidential debate on Wednesday — as a VIP guest of Donald Trump. Pat Smith, the mother of Sean Smith, a State Department IT consultant killed during the terrorist attack in Libya on Sept. 11, 2012, told Yahoo News she would accept the mogul’s invitation to the final showdown between the candidates in Las Vegas. “I want to look in Hillary’s eyes, and have her lie to me again,” Smith told Yahoo News. In Smith’s speech to the Republican National Convention in July...

64-year-old Dunagan, collapsed on a street of this Midwestern city last month and soon died, he was homeless and sorta alone — one of the 130,000. Instead of being buried in a pauper’s grave — an ending that would have reinforced his "anonymous" years — the Vietnam veteran was recognized as Army Sgt. Patrick Dunagan and honored with a military funeral.

Marion, Ill. — Southern Illinois American Gold Star Mothers will be honored once again as the Grand Marshals of this year’s Veterans on Parade. “As long as we have this parade, the Gold Star Mothers will always be honored as our Grand Marshals,” said parade chairman Ed Davis. “How else can we honor these American women and their families, when their sons have paid the ultimate price, by laying down their life in the service of their country.” Davis stated that “many people, not just in Southern Illinois but across this country, still don’t know who the American Gold Star...

A group led by anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan has protested near the CIA's headquarters and former Vice President Dick Cheney's home in northern Virginia. They were protesting the use of unmanned drone aircraft to attack al-Qaida and Taliban targets. The group of about 70 people rallied alongside a highway near the CIA compound Saturday. About half then marched to Cheney's nearby street and stayed for 20 minutes. Police kept them from going down his street. Sheehan's 21-year-old son Casey was killed in Iraq in April 2004. She staged a prolonged demonstration outside former President George W. Bush's ranch near Crawford,...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2009 – Ruth Stonesifer dreamed of a quiet life in Kintnersville, Penn., passing her days quilting for her three grandchildren. Left, Ruth Stonesifer and her son Kristofor pose for a picture in July 2001, just months before the Army Ranger was killed in an October 2001 helicopter crash over Pakistan, and right, Ruth pictured today. Ruth is now the president of American Gold Star Mothers Inc., a nonprofit group made up of mothers who have lost sons and daughters in the line of duty while serving in the U.S. armed forces. Courtesy photos  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution...

Seven months after she poured out her heartbreak in a wrenching letter to then President-elect Obama, the mother of murdered Brooklyn Marine Sgt. Jan Pawel Pietrzak finally got a response - a form letter. "Thank you for contacting President Obama," the note to Henryka Pietrzak-Varga begins. "We hope the issue you brought to the President's attention has been resolved." Pietrzak-Varga, whose son and daughter-in-law were tortured and murdered last year allegedly by four other Marines, told a Polish newspaper she doubts Obama saw her letter. "This is a standard response, something that can be sent out to anyone for any...

Marie Gardner, a past President of The Gold Star Mothers past away last friday and I thought others should know about her passing. What surprised me about this is, I did a search for an article and was dumbfounded...not a peep, nada,nothing in the news. A woman who met Presidents, spoke nationally, received awards...nothing! More can be found at the PGR site

When Spencer Timothy Karol, born April 13, 1983, the oldest of Bridget Madison's four sons, was growing up, he was a well-liked kid with a big smile and gentle and helpful manner; a "big brother" who watched over his three younger brothers and assumed "man of the house" responsibilities early and easily and without complaint. Learning values instilled in him early in his life by his famous grandfather, movie and television star Guy Madison, to whom he was very close, Spencer never had troubled teenage years with drugs or alcohol, fights or problems at school. Although he was not interested...

Today President Bush sent Michael Mukasey’s official nomination to the Senate. (Transcript) The president also proclaimed September 30 as “Gold Star Mother’s Day”. (Transcript) Since 1936, the last Sunday in September has been reserved for Gold Star Mothers. The president is authorized to issue an annual proclamation in its observance. President Bush: America's Gold Star Mothers are remarkable patriots who serve their communities by demonstrating good citizenship, providing support and services to our troops and veterans, and helping comfort the families whose loved ones have made the ultimate sacrifice. Their sense of duty and deep devotion to our country inspire...

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., July 13, 2006 – Time hasn't completely healed Betty Jean Pulliam's wounds, and talking about her son can still bring a tear to her eye. New Jersey State Police troopers escort Betty Jean Pulliam of Wichita, Kan., to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial July 9. The American Gold Star Mothers Inc., held a ceremony there to honor all children lost in service to the United States. Photo by Samantha L. Quigley  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Marine Lance Cpl. Dale Alan Pulliam was 21 years, two months and one day old when he was...

HOLMDEL, N.J., July 11, 2006 – U.S. military men and women have given the Iraqi people hope, Iraq's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations said during a July 9 ceremony here at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial. Molly Morel, an American Gold Star Mother from Tennessee, talks with Ambassador Feisal Amin al-Istrabadi, Iraq's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations. Photo by Samantha L. Quigley  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Feisal Amin al-Istrabadi spoke to a group of American Gold Star Mothers, mothers who have lost a child in the service of the United States. The...

HOLMDEL, N.J., July 10, 2006 – More than 40 American Gold Star Mothers and their guests from around the country came together here yesterday to honor the children they've lost in the country's conflicts. Members of American Gold Star Mothers Inc., are escorted by New Jersey State Troopers to the New Jersey Vietnam Memorial. A ceremony at the memorial July 9 honored the mothers and the children they lost in America's conflicts. Photo by Samantha L. Quigley  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The ceremony, held at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial here, included a roll call honoring...

Hannity & Baldwin

(CNSNews.com) - A number of Gold Star military families say they are "thoroughly disgusted with Cindy Sheehan and her publicity stunts." Sheehan was arrested outside the White House this week, during a protest to mark the death of the 2000th soldier in Iraq. Sheehan and other anti-war protesters staged a "die-in," lying head to toe on the sidewalk. (See related story) Sheehan's shenanigans have offended other Americans who also have lost loved ones in Iraq: "We, the parents and family members of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who have served and given their lives defending America in Operation Iraqi Freedom...are...

When Cindy Sheehan showed up outside of President Bush's Crawford, TX ranch in August, it was, to a certain degree, understandable that there would be some press coverage. She was there, the media was there, there wasn't alot to talk about. But the coverage was weak and biased in almost all cases, carrying her message uncritically, with no evaluation of who she was or what she was saying. The attitude seemed to be that she lost her son, she was criticizing the President, so she was credible and newsworthy, no matter what else there was in her views and attitudes....

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NATIONAL MILITARY FAMILY ORGANIZATIONS SAY: STOP USING ‘GOLD STAR’ IMMEDIATELY WASHINGTON, D.C., August 23, 2005 – Four national military family organizations are calling for an end to the misuse of one of the nation’s most sacred symbols – the Gold Star – to politicize efforts for ending the war in Iraq.The American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., Sons and Daughters In Touch and American WWII Orphans Network oppose the use of and reference to the ‘Gold Star’ in the political demonstrations being carried out in Texas and other parts of the...

Margaret Johnson, 54, came to the District yesterday to remember her 29-year-old son and honor his sacrifice. Clutching a photograph of Army Capt. Christopher Johnson, the American Gold Star Mother said she couldn't be more proud of him. "He did make a difference in this world; I don't care what anyone says," said Mrs. Johnson, of Excelsior Springs, Mo. "I am here to speak for my son. I am here to support him. He knew the cost of freedom and that it was not free, and he volunteered to go to Iraq anyway." A member of the 25th Infantry Division...

Ryan Bowman, of Philadelphia, Penn., holds a sign on the National Mall in support of U.S. troops fighting abroad on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005 in Washington. Across the street were anti-war demonstrators. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (According to this FR thread, . Ryan Bowman, served 12 months in Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division, from February 2003 to February 2004.) A group of demonstrators who chose not to be identified huddle during a rally on the National Mall in support of U.S. troops fighting abroad on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Hundreds of demonstrators stand on the...