using the Chili list and adding a few PING!
Posted on 02/10/2006 2:45:55 PM PST by glocker23
Eight months after her son Derek's death in Iraq, Lompoc resident Debbie Argel Bastian is raising money in hopes of visiting the war-torn country where the decorated Air Force captain lost his life.
Mrs. Bastian wants to join a tour to Iraq organized by the conservative nonprofit organization "Move America Forward" sometime in late spring. She and other Gold Star families -- those who've lost a family member in the war -- plan to visit military bases and try to connect with soldiers.
She will not, however, visit the region where her son was killed last Memorial Day. The Air Force commando died in the crash of an Iraqi Air Force plane just hours after he'd been promoted. The 28-year-old, a former Cabrillo High School water polo standout, was assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron and killed along with three other U.S. airmen and an Iraqi pilot during a training mission in the eastern Diyala province northwest of Baghdad.
Since her son's death, Mrs. Bastian has become involved with numerous pro-troop organizations. Unlike Cindy Sheehan, who lost her son in Iraq and has become the symbol of the anti-war movement, Mrs. Bastian is unabashedly pro-military and fervently supports President Bush.
"I think Derek would want me to do this," Mrs. Bastian said. "We want to go there to see for ourselves what is going on and to offer support for the troops there. A lot of Derek's friends are there."
Move America Forward is promoting the trip as a way for Gold Star families to "send a message to the people of this nation -- and to the leaders of nations around the world: Their children did not die in vain. Their children gave their lives for a heroic and just cause that will help to spread a wave of peace and security through the Middle East for generations to come."
Mrs. Bastian thinks she and others can showcase the work of the U.S. military in Iraq, which she believes is not getting enough attention.
"The media is not portraying what's happening in Iraq," Mrs. Bastian asserted.
"I'm tired of hearing only the casualties. We're not hearing about the schools, the hospitals, the clinics, the new sewage systems."
It is unknown how many family members will be going to Iraq with Move America Forward, because every day more people express an interest, said Melanie Morgan, a San Francisco radio personality and founder of the organization.
Last September, Ms. Morgan organized a "Support the Troops and Their Mission" nationwide tour to counter the attention received by Ms. Sheehan during her protest outside the gates of Bush's Crawford, Texas ranch. Mrs. Bastian joined the tour in Washington, D.C., with her husband Todd.
Tired "of the steady drumbeat of negative news coming out of Iraq," Ms. Morgan traveled to Iraq in July with other talk show hosts and documentary film producers. Since then, she said, she's met with Gold Star families and "held them and hugged them and cried with them. They kept asking Move America Forward to find a way to get to Iraq, either to see where their sons have been stationed, or most importantly to thank the soldiers for their sacrifices."
Ms. Morgan, who works on the KSFO 560 AM morning show in San Francisco, believes the families' trip is critical to the war effort.
"There's no question in my mind that Gold Star family members have credibility nobody else has," she said. "We've all heard relentlessly about Cindy Sheehan and how much she hates George Bush. This is not how a majority of Gold Star families feel by any stretch of the imagination. There are powerful stories that need to be told.
"People feel dishonored by what happened (with Ms. Sheehan). The only way terrorists will win this war is if they (protesters) cause the American public to turn against it."
To pay for the trip, which is expected to cost about $7,000 per person, Mrs. Bastian has already participated in a fundraiser with a Los Angeles radio station, along with other Gold Star family members. They raised $10,000 in one day.
The trip is not the only way Mrs. Bastian is honoring her son's memory. Last year, she demanded the Santa Barbara chapter of Veterans for Peace remove Capt. Argel's name from a cross at the Arlington West memorial near Stearns Wharf.
She also is working to have the military allow service members, before they're deployed, add an addendum to their wills indicating their name and image belong to their families only, to be used at their discretion.
The idea came about after she became enraged at the use of her son's name on the Arlington West cross.
She's also become involved in another organization, Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission.
Each week, Mrs. Bastian participates in a conference call with other Gold Star families. And when another family loses someone in the war, Mrs. Bastian and others call the families.
"We've lost not only a soldier, but our child," she said, explaining her involvement. "Sometimes it's very difficult to deal with if you're not on this side of the fence. It's very new to me. These families are on the same page."
Her main focus this year, in addition to the Iraq trip, is helping create a legacy for her 18-month-old grandson, Logan. She's writing a book called "Letters for Logan," filled with the hundreds of letters she and Derek's widow, Wendy, received after the captain's death.
"I want to make sure Logan remembers his father, the man he was, is and always will be," Mrs. Bastian said.
She plans to use the proceeds from the book's sales to build on 25 acres the family owns in Kern County. Capt. Argel saw the land and had hoped to build his son a cabin there. Now, Mrs. Bastian said, the family would like to build a bed and breakfast retreat for the families of fallen soldiers.
Debbie Argel Bastian has posted on freerepublic in the past (debbieargel) asking for help in getting the word of the pro-US, pro-troops, gold star families out to the public. Now as the article mentions she is planning to go to Iraq along with other gold star families with Move America Forward.
I would love to see freerepublic play some role in helping this trip get done. The mission of Debbie and Move America Forward is directly in line with the things that freerepublic values. With our strength in numbers and conviction I think we could really help give this tour added financial support.
Anyways, thats just my two cents.
For anyone wanting to know more about Derek Argel there is an excellent website in his memory at:
http://rileyd.chs.lusd.org/Derek's%20Page/Derek%20Argel%20Information%20Page.htm
As we support the Gold Star families in their support of the troops their loved ones served with, we have to remember they are still families who've lost someone. That they can work through their grief by supporting those who fight on is truly inspirational.
Prayers for her and her son.
I lived in Lompoc in the 70's & 80's.
BTTT
The problem is I don't know of anywhere to donate to, I am trying to find out a way to donate, but I think it would be even better to have freepers donate together in one lump donation... I would love any suggestions or help in how to do this
Every Freeper should visit this beautiful memorial.
There is information on the site about making a donation.
ping...
Thanks so much to everyone for thinking of donating to our cause. The instructions on how to donate on line or mail a donation for the Iraq trip are at MoveAmericaForward.com
Donations are tax-deductable. Make checks out to Move America Forward with "Gold Star" trip in the memo. Thanks to all.
Debbie Argel Bastian
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your service, and I want to tell you I think you are a hero as well.
I too am a Mom, my sons are three and seven~ They have not yet had a chance to fight for freedom, but I hope they will as they get older. I know they understand the importance of men like your son-because I tell them everyday.
As a Mom~ I really can not imagine the pain in your heart over losing your child~ I can only tell you I feel sorrow over your loss- our loss. That is real I promise you that.
I really appreciate that you have continued yours sons fight~for our benefit.
May God always hold you and your family close, and let you know how much you are appreciated.
using the Chili list and adding a few PING!
You too.
If you are so inclined, please see this thread and follow the link to Move America Forward to help send Gold Star Mothers, including our own freeper Debbieargel, to Iraq. Debbie is the proud mother of Capt. Derek Argel, USAF Special Ops, KIA Memorial Day, 2005.
Thanks for the ping!
bttt
No problem and BTTT
BTTT
What is on top of that chili, or is that beans?
It is mothers like these which make a country great. Should most become like Sheehan our nation is doomed.
Chili- cheeze and cilantro I think. I robbed it off google.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.