Posted on 03/24/2006 10:59:20 AM PST by Syncro
* * * SPECIAL NOTICE * * *
This Saturday, March 25th from 4:00 - 6:00 PM Pacific (7:00 - 9:00 PM Eastern)
Gold Star Family Members will Take to the Radio Airwaves to Talk About
Their Views on the War in Iraq... and how they DISAGREE with Cindy Sheehan.
LISTEN ONLINE HERE: http://www2.krla870.com/listen/ from anywhere in the world.
[In Southern California tune your radio to 870 AM]
Friends,
As you know, Move America Forward is currently planning a major endeavor – we are going to take the parents and family members of our fallen troops to Iraq.
They want to see first hand the progress being made by our military men and women –their sons and daughters died for a just cause and not in vain. They also want to express their support and solidarity for our troops still serving in Iraq.
The program is called “They Didn’t Die in Vain - Gold Star Families to Iraq,” and the first step we are taking is to raise the money to fund this very costly venture.
To that end we recently held a fundraising luncheon at the historic Fior d’Italia restaurant in San Francisco, where co-owner Bob Larive generously donated the food. The event was a complete success. We had more than 200 supporters present at the luncheon to show support for our Gold Star Families and help them get one step closer to making the trip to Iraq.
The event was full of touching moments and brought out supporters like San Francisco Police Chief, Heather Fong (She is pictured with friends at her table above), singer Derek Clark, Officer Vic of KSFO Radio, and representatives from Congressman Richard Pombo’s office to show their support for the loved ones of fallen soldiers.
Perhaps one of the most touching moments came when Master Sgt. John Ubaldi, who has served in both Afghanistan and Iraq, introduced himself to Gold Star dad Mark Crowley. Ubaldi had served in Ramadi, the same city in which Crowley’s son, Lance Cpl. Kyle Crowley, was killed in action. Ubaldi brought with him stones from the city of Ramadi and gave them to Mark Crowley so that he may see and touch the earth on which his son sacrificed his life for his country. Mr. Crowley later said the fractures in the rocks reminded him of the sacrifices his son and others made fighting for what they believe in.
Gold Star Mom Debbie Argel-Bastian and friends of
Captain Derek Argel who died in Diyala, Iraq on May 30th
Debbie Argel Bastian, mother of fallen soldier Captain Derek Argel, was on hand to address the hundreds of supporters attending the event. The March 11th fundraiser fell on her son’s birthday, and in honor of his birthday she shared a paper her son wrote with those attending the event. The paper was written by Derek in the 6th grade and was titled “Why We Should Honor Our Flag.” In the paper Derek says we should “show respect to the veterans of the wars who risked their lives or were killed protecting our freedom and our flag.”
Debbie Argel Bastian and many other Gold Star family members like her would like to go to Iraq to do just that. They wish to make a bold statement to the world by going to Iraq and showing their support for the troops and their mission even though they have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
I would like to thank all of our supporters who were able to come out and show their support for our Gold Star family members. For all those who wish they could have attended but could not we encourage you to contribute to the “They Didn’t Die in Vain - Gold Star Families to Iraq” by clicking the following link.
Please support this effort:
http://www.MoveAmericaForward.org/Contribution
You can also mail in a contribution to:
Move America Forward
ATTN: Gold Star Families to Iraq
P.O. Box 1497
Sacramento, CA 95812
There are no contribution limits; contributions are tax deductible, and corporate contributions ARE allowed. Your contribution of $50, $100, $250 or more if you can afford to.
If you can only afford $10, $15 or $35 – that’s great too.
And I am hopeful that a few of you will look into your hearts and see how important it is that we get these families over to Iraq, and let them come back and tell their stories to the American people by making the most generous contribution of $1,000 or $2,500 or more.
The cost of sending one Gold Star family member to Iraq is about $7,000 dollars and we would like to send as many moms, dads, husbands, and wives as possible.
So keep that in mind when making a contribution – we are going to need A LOT of help if we want to provide these family members with their dream of going to Iraq to meet Iraqi Citizens, meet the soldiers who fought by their children’s side, and show their support for our troops.
With my very best personal wishes to you,
Melanie Morgan
Chairman, Move America Forward
http://www.MoveAmericaForward.org
I wish Cindy Al-Sheehadi would go to Iraq.
This is such a win-win situation for all involved. Those giving, and those receiving. Those going to visit and those being visited....will be blessed each, by the other.
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