In a message dated 8/26/05 11:40:51 AM, Krpomer writes:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 26, 2005
Ryan Fletcher 202-641-0277
Nancy Lessin 617-320-5301
Outside Bush’s Ranch, Gold Star and Military Families Continue to Call on President: ‘Honor Our Loved One’s Sacrifices’ and ‘Bring Them Home Now’
Camp Casey Vigil Remains Strong, Voice of Military Families Against War Grows
CRAWFORD, TX – As the end of August draws closer, the vigil started by Cindy Sheehan outside President Bush’s Ranch in Crawford, Texas continues to grow. Over 50 Military and Gold Star Families from across the country - those whose loved ones were killed in Iraq, and those with loved ones who are needlessly in harm’s way - have joined the vigil to call for a meeting with President Bush, and an end to the war in Iraq. More families continue to arrive in Crawford to join the encampment, which will remain until the end of August.
Since November of 2002, when Military Families Speak Out began with two families speaking out against a U.S. invasion of Iraq, more and more military families have been breaking the code of silence that extends from the military to its families and beyond.
Since the vigil in Crawford began in early August, the voice of Military and Gold Star families speaking out against this war has grown tremendously. Families gained courage from the powerful Crawford vigil to use their own voices in their communities and beyond to oppose the war in Iraq. They are, speaking out more powerfully than ever to support our troops, bring them home now and take care of them when they get here.
Military Families Speak Out currently includes over 2,500 member families.
The following Gold Star and Military Families are available for interview and have arrived or are arriving in Crawford this weekend:
Bill Mitchell of Atascadero, California is returning to Crawford this weekend. Bill's son Sgt. Michael Mitchell was killed in action in Sadr City, Iraq on April 4, 2004, along with Cindy Sheehan's son Spc. Casey Sheehan. Bill is a co-founder of Gold Star Families for Peace. This will be his second trip to Crawford this month, he will be accompanied by his daughter.
Amy Branham of Houston, TX will be coming to Crawford this weekend. Her son, Sgt. Jeremy R. Smith served in the U.S. Military in Iraq.
Rebecca Bahr of Scottsdale, Arizona has been in Crawford since August 10. Rebecca's daughter serves in the Marines and is currently stateside.
Sherry Bohlen of Scottsdale, Arizona is coming back to Crawford this weekend. Sherry’s son serves in the Army and deployed to Iraq on June 10,
2005.
Steve DeFord of Salem, Oregon will be arriving in Crawford on Wednesday, August 17th. Steve’s step-son Sgt. David W. Johnson served in the Oregon National Guard and was killed in action near Baghdad on Sept 25, 2004 when his convoy was hit by an IED (Improvised Explosive Device).
Sheri Glover of Houston, TX has a 19 year old daughter who has completed Active Duty Service in the US Army and is currently in the Individual Ready Reserve and eligible for call back. Sheri is active in Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary and holds the position of Junior Vice Commander of Unit 9 in Houston.
Ellen Martin of New York City, N.Y. will arrive in Crawford on Sunday, August 28th. Her 54 year-old brother who serves in the U.S. Army is expected to deploy to Iraq later this year.
Michael and Valeri Murphy of Austin, Texas will be coming back to Crawford this weekend. Their son is a member of the Army Reserves and currently serves stateside.
Beatriz Saldivar of Fort Worth, Texas will return to Crawford this weekend. Her nephew Daniel Torres was killed February 4th, 2005 in Baygii 155 miles north of Baghdad on his 2nd tour of Iraq when an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) exploded and hit his unarmored Humvee. She is available for interviews in English and Spanish.
Nancy Lessin and Charley Richardson of Boston, Massachusetts, will be arriving in Crawford on Friday, August 26. Nancy’s stepson/Charley’s son Joe served in Iraq in spring, 2003 with the U.S. Marine Corps. He has finished his active duty service and is currently in the Individual Ready Reserves. Nancy and Charley co-founded Military Families Speak Out in November 2002 with one other family. Military Families Speak Out now includes 2,500 military families from across the country.
Tammara Rosenleaf of Belton, Texas arrived in Crawford on Tuesday, August 9th. Tammara's husband serves in the Army. He is stationed at Ft. Hood and will be deploying to Iraq this fall.
Larry Syverson of Richmond, VA is arriving in Crawford on Saturday. Larry has three sons serving in the military, two of whom have served in Iraq and are eligible for redeployment.
More Military and Gold Star families will be arriving in Crawford daily until the end of the month.
For more information: Military Families Speak Out:
http://www.mfso.org
Gold Star Families for Peace:
http://www.gsfp.org
Informant: Hopedance
Cindy Sheehan
http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=Sheehan