Three have 'Resolve to Win': Veterans march to rally support for troops overseas

Smithfield — Maj. Dennis McCool is no stranger to war. A retired Army officer, McCool, 60, began his 20-year Army career at the height of an unpopular war. His deployment to Vietnam, where more than 58,000 American soldiers died, lasted for several years.

“I have lived for 38 years with a burden that every Vietnam veteran carries,” says McCool, a native of Sanford, Fla. “That burden is that we did not win. It was not our fault...

Since returning home in December, the trio has embarked on another mission: to rally support for the troops. They set out on March 1 on “Resolve to Win,” a two-week march from the North Carolina-South Carolina border to Washington, D.C. Their 400-mile trek will end Sunday when they reach the Lincoln Memorial.

Last Tuesday, the men fought wind and rain, exhaustion and blistered feet to march 25 miles — their average daily distance — from Dunn to Smithfield. A small band of supporters greeted them at their destination by waving U.S. flags and cheering.

Among them was Tina Medlin of Fuquay-Varina. Medlin’s son, Jarrod, a search and rescue swimmer in the Navy, is currently serving in a helicopter combat squadron in the Persian Gulf.

“There’s always so much bad press surrounding what our guys and girls are doing overseas,” Medlin said. “People always say that 70 percent of Americans are against the war. Well, everybody is against war. But sometimes you just have to fight. And you definitely have to fight to win. So I’m proud of these guys for drawing attention to the fact that we need to support our troops, no matter what their mission.”

For more information on the "Resolve to Win" march and to follow the journey to the nation's capital, visit www.resolvetowin.us

The marchers were motivated today by a note from Gen. Petraeus. Gotta luv it!

Day 13: We love Spotsylvania County

Rough start, but God heard all your prayers and things evened out for me early on today. We were joined at the start by Don Blosser carrying the Guidon while Randy Shrader and Ron Crouch from the Legion Riders, Post 320 kept us moving and motivated.

Lots of excitement all day because of the terrific support for WFLS radio in Fredericksburg. We were joined at the first stop by Col.Harry Riley and Brad Riley for Eagles UP. Harry carried the guidon and marched as Brad did a live Podcast to the Internet. HOOAH. Many walkers accompanied us in the morning including Lorie Hoffa and Elyse Buongiorno.

Lunch was hectic and exciting as we talked with many supporters and did a live radio show interview.

John and Louise Dodd spent the afternoon with us representing their son-in-law in Iraq, CAPT Louis Gomez.. Mary Rowe an Richard McClure made nice donations as did American Legion Post 320, VFW Post 3103 and Don Blosser. Thanks to all of you.

We were greeted at our third stop by many well wishers, including 4 WWII Vets. The Honor Guard for Post 320 met us at the third stop and marched with us the entire 4 leg and we were joined by two bagpipe musicians as we closed in on our destination (VFW Post 3103). It was very energizing. It is not possible to list everyone name who walked with us, stopped to show support and give us energy, but I feel compelled to list a few: Bruce Mognesen, Junior and Linda Rose, Ed and Lee Cole, Ken Creasy and Inga, Bucky Dabnay, Edward Luesker, Kenneth and Karen Weakley, Bill Mickelson, Renee Parham-King, Bob Sussan, Dean Strong, Catherine Massey, Jimmy James, Ken Kreitz, Kevin Shanahan, Dave Fischer, John W. Cain, Ted Prasatek

In closing I wanted to pass on a comment forwarded to me from General Petraeus. "Wonderful support.....deeply appreciate the support for our Troopers. Thanks/Best from Baghdad" General David Petraeus HOOAH.

See you tomorrow on US 1 from Fredericksburg to Woodbridge. Please sign our Guest Book. God Bless Our Troops and God Bless America.

Dennis McCool
Resolve to Win homepage

PING
I need you all to PING your respective lists.
We need emails to Fox and Friends in NY for the purposes of alerting them to the following interview at 0840 tomorrow morning:

From Major Dennis McCool Team Leader Resolve to Win Walk

Hello everyone, Arrived back home at 3AM, currently resting with my feet up.
FOX 35 Orlando has me on at 0840 tomorrow on their Morning Show and WESH TV just called to come by tomorrow for a follow up story. Too bad these are LOCAL stations.

I thinka a sufficeint quantity of emails to FoxNews may just give the Major the NATIONAL coverage he so richly deserves.

Posted by concretebob to doug from upland; Interesting Times; StarCMC; Neets; Darksheare; scott0347; timpad; ...
On News/Activism 03/18/2008 4:59:02 PM CDT · 7 of 7
PING
I need you all to PING your respective lists. We need emails to Fox and Friends in NY for the purposes of alerting them to the following interview at 0840 tomorrow morning:
From Major Dennis McCool Team Leader Resolve to Win Walk

Hello everyone, Arrived back home at 3AM, currently resting with my feet up. FOX 35 Orlando has me on at 0840 tomorrow on their Morning Show and WESH TV just called to come by tomorrow for a follow up story. Too bad these are LOCAL stations.

Ok guys -- can you help? Pinging the Canteen, the PGR, and a few other friends...

D.C. Chapter Master Ping List

Your help is needed.

FROM CONCRETEBOB and others:

"PING

I need you all to PING your respective lists. We need emails to Fox and Friends in NY for the purposes of alerting them to the following interview at 0840 tomorrow morning:

From Major Dennis McCool Team Leader Resolve to Win Walk

Hello everyone, Arrived back home at 3AM, currently resting with my feet up. FOX 35 Orlando has me on at 0840 tomorrow on their Morning Show and WESH TV just called to come by tomorrow for a follow up story. Too bad these are LOCAL stations.

I think a sufficient quantity of emails to FoxNews may just give the Major the NATIONAL coverage he so richly deserves."

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