The Freedom Alliance is an organization founded by Oliver North (USMC, Ret.) “to advance the American heritage of freedom by honoring and encouraging military service, defending the sovereignty of the United States and promoting a strong national defense.”

As part of this mission, civilians like us can send letters of appreciation to soldiers serving in our Armed Forces across the world. Click here to write a letter to a U.S. soldier serving abroad or recuperating in a military hospital.

As Sheepdogs, we might not be able to join our soldiers in battle, but we can stand up next to them in so many other ways - attending rallies, writing letters, countering those who demoralize their mission, praying, and bleeding the patriotism of our Founding Fathers. Perhaps Ronald Reagan verbalized it best when he said:

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”

Wise words for every Sheepdog. To victory!

This letter from “C. Sharer” of Malvern further solidifies the general population’s ignorance about what the real mission in Iraq is and how the mainstream media has painted such a gloomy picture of the state of affairs there. Mr./Ms. Sharer’s observations are not only ignorant, but contribute to the lies and misrepresentations of news outlets like CNN and MSNBC.

Perhaps instead of firing off an angry letter to The Daily Local on a topic he/she knows nothing about, Mr./Ms. Sharer should come out to one of the rallies to witness our support for the troops first hand. Here’s the letter:

Where is real support for troops?

In response to Dr. Bricks’ letter I say, “Amen.” Every time I see items in the Daily Local News by and about those supporting the troops I ask, “What support?” Four Marines were killed over last weekend, for what? There is nothing in the paper about this. What has been accomplished? There is no evidence of a democratic government progressing in Iraq, and the real terrorists seem to be gaining strength in Afghanistan. The percentage of people in this country actually involved in the “war” is in the single digits. We are asking these few to shoulder the whole burden and sending them back again and again to the conflict. I can’t count the number of times I have heard “not my son/daughter” or “I refuse to let my child sign up for the Army.” What support is this?

I believe the comment was “you go to war with the army you have.” This has cost many casualties by sending service men and women over ill-prepared. Casualties that are deliberately hidden from the general public. So who needs this support?

Like the picture in the April 22 edition of the Daily Local News of demonstrators. There are people who go around “thumping their chest” that we must win this war, but the country does not even have the guts to pay for it. Instead, it is financed off-budget so the debt can be passed on to the young men and women actually fighting and to many future generations. Where is the support?

Then the supporters have the gall to complain about anyone protesting against the war. Wasn’t bringing democracy one of the purported goals of the invasion they are “supporting”?

Real support would be bringing our service men and women (and their families), who are the ones doing the sacrificing, home to safety. Real support would have demanded that we not send our military into a situation based on trumped-up threats. Real support would have the integrity to pay for this now.

C. Sharer

Malvern

Calling all Sheepdogs!  At next week’s rally Raoul is bringing some empty boxes that we can fill with sundries for our comrade and fellow Sheepdog, Gunny Jenkins, who is currently serving in Iraq with the U.S. Marines.  Please bring something that will travel well. 

Cushioned Socks (black or brown, over the calf) are Gunny’s first request and he can certainly share any extras with this fellow Marines.  Other items might be lip balm, sunscreen, non-perishables, magazines, books, etc.

Let’s show Jonathan that the Sheepdogs are thankful for his service!  Hoo-rah!  Also, don’t forget to check out Jonathan’s website, The Conservative BOG.

They say, “Warriors beget warriors” and I doubt there’s many people among us who didn’t have a strong patriotic mother guiding, encouraging, making us laugh, disciplining and protecting us.
They took us to practice and checked our homework - they showed us how important it was to share or help a friend or shield a little guy from a danger. Moms set examples for us - we learned more by watching them handle a situation than any school book. And when it comes to first aid - nothing matched a mother’s hug.

I think the word mom means love. Happy Mothers Day to all our moms and especially to all our Military Moms - thank you for all you’ve done for us.

Here’s a great story about a local hero who made the ultimate sacrifice in 1968 in Vietnam. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. On Monday, Michael’s remains will be escorted from Downingtown, PA to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Many of us are going to pay respects to Michael and his family.

If you wish to participate in the motorcade. Please arrive about an hour early, we depart at 8AM sharp.

Kevin Ferris wrote a terrific tribute in yesterday’s Phila Inquirer. Here’s an excerpt:

When his platoon was ambushed on Nov. 20, 1968, in Vietnam’s Hiep Duc Valley, Michael grabbed an M-60 and single-handedly charged three enemy machine-gun positions, killing the crews.

“He definitely stood up that day and broke the logjam we were in,” says Stafford, a medic with Michael’s platoon in the 196th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. “I was able to get to one wounded guy because of Michael.”

While Michael drew the enemy’s fire, Stafford advanced to help a wounded soldier who couldn’t pull himself to safety. As Stafford tended to the man’s injuries, Michael put himself between the medic and the enemy. That’s when Michael was killed.

“Things happen so quickly in a war, and you wonder why certain things happen to some but not others,” Stafford says. “I figured out after many years that it just wasn’t my time.

“But Michael’s day was that day - to help his comrades - and that was it.”

read the full column here

There were 2 more LTE’s from the so-called “peace” protestors - they say they’re sorry - and they are…

(btw, I don’t know who the “hero” is that the writer speaks of - guess he’s talking about W) - who is the basis of all their sorrow.

FEELING SORRY FOR US ALL

Thanks to your “hero” and his rogue regime, I feel sorry for all of us children of the world. I feel sorry for our troops and their families. I weep at those lost Americans, the innocent Iraqis, all the mothers who have sacrificed their daughters and sons.

I weep for my grandson and the many like him who will be burdened by the arrogance and ineptitude of this poor excuse for a “leader” and human being. And at such grotesque cost.

I weep for us. And the American Indian. And all us citizens of the world. I am not a religious man, but if there is a God, she or he is weeping also. If God exists, then one day, Bush and his cronies will be held accountable. This would be the only time he and/or his ilk have been held accountable for crimes against humanity (not to mention all their other countless high crimes and “misdemeanors”).

Bush is the most impeachable president (unelected) in history, far worse than Watergate. By Jove, I do believe there is a book by that name!

William C. Poulsen Jr.

Coatesville

PLACE BLAME WHERE IT BELONGS

With the disastrous Iraq war and the worsening domestic economy, related because of enormous expenditures, 81 percent of Americans now say the country is moving in the wrong direction and the disapproval rating of 79 percent of the sitting president is worse than during the days of Watergate.

Instead of quarreling with one another or blaming local personalities, we ought to place criticism and correction where it belongs — on the current administration, and behind that its misrepresented and erroneous policies, and behind that the narrow and outdated views and concepts that fed it in this the 21st century.

David W. Long

West Chester

Funny how the “peace” protestors say they want to move past the Mar 22 incident - yet they don’t seem to be able to control themselves and abide by the separation agreement agreed to in good faith. As the Police Chief said, both sides need to be civil - the safety of both sides and 3rd party (drivers and walkers) is the main concern, mixing is a recipe for disaster, it never gets better, it only gets worse. One of them crossed the street last week to confront a college girl on our side about her “I love Gitmo” sign - seems Freedom of Speech is for the Peace protestors only. The best way to “move past” is by acting like peacemakers and living up to the agreement in the best interest of both sides and the people of West Chester. Do this, and both sides look good.

TIME TO MOVE PAST VIGIL INCIDENT
I am a member of the Chester County Peace Movement (CCPM). I would like to state that I am very tired of the letters to the editor which continue to pour in relating to the March 22, vigil incident.
I believe enough has been said about the subject by both the Victory and the Peace Movements’ members. I am distressed also by the personal attacks on Karen Porter, the director of CCPM. It is obvious that those individuals who do this, do not know Karen Porter. I can tell you that Karen is a courageous, ethical and compassionate individual. However, I know that those who have taken a dislike to her will not take my word for it. And I certainly do not wish to start another round of attacks on her.
What I would like to suggest is that we move on to more important subject matters in our letters to the editor: subjects such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; the plight of all those people who have left Iraq, and of those living in Haiti; the conflicts in the Middle East, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. And last, but not least, in the United States, the plight of those individuals who live in poverty, who have no health insurance and who may also be victims of many forms of discrimination. The list of potential subjects could go on and on.
Instead of attacking each other, let’s become better informed.
Isabel Olmsted
Kennett Square

Here’s what Karen Porter had to add in her latest newsletter

After I sent this e-mail, I had this thought, which I would like to share with this list:
None of us has EVER ONCE even breathed the names of the counterprotestor leaders or any of their people in public letters or other communications. I have studiously avoided that - as have all of you. We have never, ever engaged in ad hominem attacks. And we never will. Unlike that group, we have not engaged the extremely vicious Internet attacks (I’ve been told about them - I never, ever read them) - or any other kind of attack. We don’t go up to them and call them names (like “idiot” in my face twice last week or “traitors” to our veterans for peace) or other rude, crude attacks of any kind.
Enough said.
Isabel and David are absolutely correct: Let’s focus on issues from now on. I’m bored with, tired of, finished with the whole “counterprotestor” issue - it’s a little “Rev. Wright” (as an adjective) to me at this point - something we should, must, and can put behind us. I never wish to even use the word, “counterprotestor,” again. It’s a silly diversion, and enough’s enough.
Let’s MOVE ON.

We just got word that Wayne Lutz, who has helped us on the corner here in West Chester, has started ‘Warrior’s Watch‘.  Their mission:

WARRIOR’S WATCH MISSION:

THEY HAVE OUR BACKS OVER THERE. WE HAVE THEIR BACKS HERE AT HOME.

Many of us are bikers. WE WILL USE OUR MOTORCYCLES TO DRAW ATTENTION TO OUR CAUSE, WHICH IS OUR TROOPS.

Many of us are Veterans: WE WILL SUPPORT THE MISSION OF OUR UNIFORMED BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

All of us are Americans: WE WILL HONOR OUR NATION’S WARRIORS HERE AT HOME, AND SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES WHILE THEY FIGHT FOR US ABROAD.

We are brothers. We will never put ourselves above our mission, we will never allow personal considerations of any kind to interfere with the honorable and dignified performance of our mission, and we will treat our fellow Warrior’s Watchmen as the brothers and sisters that they are.

Many of us are Vietnam and Cold War Era Veterans. ABOVE ALL: NEVER, EVER, WILL WE ALLOW THIS GENERATION OF HEROES TO BE TREATED WHEN THEY COME HOME AS WE WERE TREATED WHEN WE CAME HOME. THE “GREATEST GENERATION” DIDN’T HAVE OUR BACKS. NEVER AGAIN WILL ONE GENERATION OF VETERANS ABANDON ANOTHER.

We salute the work and mission of Warrior’s Watch and give them our full support.  Go check ‘em out!

Many of you know Jonathan Jenkins, a local U.S. Marine from Chester County who is currently in Iraq on a seven month tour of duty. Jonathan landed safely in the big sandbox a few weeks ago, but has noted that the sandstorms can be quite severe (see picture below). You can click here to visit Jonathan’s blog and write him words of encouragement. Thank you Jonathan for your service to America as a U.S. Marine. To victory!

Ed responded to Karen Porter’s recent rant about us with his LTE that was printed in today’s Daily Local. Ed is a Vietnam Veteran and proud participant of our Victory Rallies.

A perception problem by CCPM

Based on Ms. Porter’s (Chester County Peace Movement) last letter, she obviously has a perception problem. My letter, which she references, was not offered as any sort of expert. It described my honest observations of two rallies and my logical conclusions drawn from statements written by Ms. Porter. I now have doubts that she is familiar with either of these concepts (honesty and logic).

Further, Ms. Porter apparently has a focus problem with regard to the May 22 incident. The focus of her reference should be, one of her members, a retired school teacher /public servant, assaulted a girl half his size. Not whether the girl was a young girl or a somewhat young girl.

I will close with two last things.

First: Ms. Porter can be assured I am not using and do not have a direct line into her brain.

Second: When my current commitments are completed I will do as Ms. Porter suggests and get out more. At every opportunity, I will be proud to stand with Chester Count Victory Movement supporting our troops, America and peace through victory.

Ed Kurth

former sergeant of paratroopers

101st Airborne Division