From Deseret News archives:
Families support troops in Iraq
Salt Palace rally meant to counter Sheehan's anti-war protests
The Cindy Sheehan he was seated next to that day watching the parade for their late soldier/sons was in no way angry, Williams said. The Cindy Sheehan he met again a year later was, and her attitude about her son's death, the war and President Bush was surprisingly and drastically different, said Williams, in Salt Lake Tuesday on the Move America Forward 20-city bus tour to counter what he and organizers say is Sheehan's negative, anti-war media campaign.
Williams and Sheehan were together a second time as part of a television news program on effects of the war back home. Clutching Casey's teddy bear, Sheehan expressed for the first time publicly her disgust for the war and the president that sent her son into it.
"All of a sudden, I started hearing more about her and it took me right back to Vietnam," the veteran said standing outside the Salt Palace Convention Center. "This country is not the country she makes it out to be. I was sick of the negative attention (toward the troops in Iraq) and needed to do more."
Although the bus tour has yet to attract the media attention given Sheehan's roadside vigil near Bush's Texas ranch, they hope its positive message will counter Sheehan's negative one. The two camps have planned separate rallies this Saturday.
Deborah Johns, a bus tour leader from Roseville, Calif., and mother of soldier William Johns, currently serving his second tour in Iraq and is to return for a third next year.
"Cindy Sheehan is not the majority voice in America," Johns said. "She is the minority."
Regardless of political views, Americans should support the military fighting in Iraq, Johns said. People volunteer to join the military, she noted, adding, "My son in living his dream." At each stop, Move America Forward sets-up a "Victory in Iraq" banner for people to sign. The banners will be sent to active duty soldiers.
Comments
- Utes fall to No. 2 Stanford 11:36 p.m.
- Mormon players respect, bury opponents 11:33 p.m.
- Utah Utes, BYU football: Rivalry Week 11:28 p.m.
- Utah Utes football: 5 keys to victory 11:25 p.m.
- Minor injuries in rollover crash 11:19 p.m.
- 'Wonderful Life' done wonderfully 11:19 p.m.
- Downtown holiday displays kick off 10:40 p.m.
- Shoppers 'experience' Black Friday 10:32 p.m.
- Ogden postmaster to retire 10:31 p.m.
- Comments sought on Bitter Creek 10:31 p.m.
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
264 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
211 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
133 - Boys basketball rankings
127 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
112 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
109 - Letters: Trump card for believers
93 - Real Champions
87
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
Yaaaaaaaaaaaawn.
on the offensive side of the ball tonight. He needs to work on boxing out...
I have heard the same thing from Curtis' people. Be patient, in time your...
Check out the time stamp of the story: Friday, Nov. 27, 2009 9:53 p.m This...
Man, all you BYU fans were sure correct on that blowout you predicted. "Oh,...
from nyc, my thoughts are with the family -- what a terrible tragedy. may...
I'm going to have to call you out on that one!!! There is no way you could...
Mike Richards comes through again! He's my true antithesis. If he's for it,...
If I only had a nickel for each time someone has declared religion dead I'd...
not 87-80 Weber State played well from mid first to mid second half, but...




You can be the first to comment on this story.