Vets for Freedom's National Heroes Tour Update
Over the first two weeks of the National Heroes Tour, we’ve stopped in cities all across America including Los Angeles, San Antonio, the Twin Cities, Kansas City, St. Louis, and Nashville. We’ve been welcomed with open arms, and received warm receptions in each one. But small-town Middle America has once again shown its unwavering support for the troops and strong commitment to victory in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Last Thursday, we stopped in Marshall, Missouri and were greeted with a true heroes welcome.
Flags in hand, young and old residents of the town of merely 12,334 crowded the town square and greeted the heroes with cheers, outstretched hands, and open arms. The outpouring of support, which included a police and Patriot Rider escort from Kansas City into Marshall, overwhelmed the heroes themselves. The escort picked up some 15 law enforcement vehicles, lights blazing, along the way.
Blackfive.net has an excellent video of the tremendous arrival. You can watch video of the event here.
After speeches by Vets for Freedom Executive Director Pete Hegseth and Congressional-Medal-of-Honor nominee David Bellavia; a wreath-laying ceremony; and a ceremonial lap around the town square, Marshall Sheriff Wally George (a Vietnam Veteran himself) escorted the bus to the community center. Nearly 200 residents packed the room to hear about Vets for Freedom's mission to give our troops overseas the support they need.
Frontline Focus
'Support the troops - finish their mission'
BY PETER BRONSON
March 30, 2008
The bumper sticker on the car in front of me says, "Support the Troops - Bring Them Home."
I want one that replies: "Be Careful What You Ask For."
Many of the troops are already home. And they have something to say about that kind of "support."
Some of America's most decorated soldiers have started a national tour, backed by thousands of veterans, to fight for their honor at home just as they fought for freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan. This is what they have to say:
"The Vets for Freedom National Heroes Tour is about supporting our troops, honoring their commitment, and rallying the country to complete the missions in Iraq and Afghanistan...
Spokesman Adam Fife explained that vets came home and just got fed up by "the lack of understanding here..."
And everywhere from Tucson to Texas, they've been welcomed with police escorts, flag-waving and big crowds that say thanks. "It's been even more amazing than we expected," Fife said...
"The media tends to portray soldiers as victims," Fife said. "But 99 percent are proud to have volunteered, and proud that they had the guts to serve their country."
"They gave their life not because of a dental plan or college money," Bellavia said in Iowa, "but because they believe that our culture and our way of life are being threatened."
These vets are not homeless vagrants, tower shooters or psycho-killers. They will not be ignored like the veterans of Korea, or demonized like the vets from Vietnam. They are America's very best. They have learned more about leadership, courage and honor in one tour of duty than desk-jockeys like me learn in a lifetime.
And when they come home, they will have something to say about that, too.
"It's a bond that's hard to describe," Fife said. "But that's the way they honor the sacrifice of the soldiers that didn't come home. They want to see the mission completed." |