United for a Strong America
Washington, DC September 16 - 19, 2007

On September 16, 512 patriotic family members from across the United States met in Washington D.C. Strangers instantly became friends at the Meet & Greet at the top of the Sheraton where we overlooked the DC skyline! New friends were enjoying great discussions as I was asked to get their attention. A friend suggested he could make it happen but didn t have a plan I said I ve got this one! . With microphone in hand, I was ignored as I asked for their attention, but I knew what would get their attention. I started to sing God Bless America By the end of the first line everyone was singing! It was the perfect way to begin our 3 days. I m going to give the bare highlights here but at the end of this newsletter, you ll find pictures and bits of stories from everyone!

Monday morning: Breakfast at the Sheraton
Breakfast opened as the Color Guard presented the colors, Sgt Antonio Guliano sang the Star Spangled Banner (He always gives me goosebumps when he sings!), and the Stephenson family (All 9 of them) led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Speakers, Rep. Brian Baird, Megan Ortagus, Kimberly Kagan, Deb Argel and Bob Derga inspired us with their words and everyone enjoyed a hearty breakfast. Asked if they enjoyed it to a rousing YES John Ellsworth said we d do better on Tuesday because breakfast was going to be on the South Lawn of the White House!

The rest of the morning was filled with Pentagon and Washington Monument Tours. Everyone met at Arlington National Cemetery for a Wreath Laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier followed by a dedication ceremony in the amphitheater. We, the families of heroes, dedicated ourselves to our heroes, their mission, and our country. We were honored to be joined by General Peter Pace, then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and his wife Lynn. General Pace was truly moved by our families, our ceremonies and our continued dedication to the country.

The buses(yea to the bus drivers!) then took us down to Section 60 of the Cemetery. Most of the Fallen Heroes of Iraq and Afghanistan who are buried at Arlington are in Section 60. We were all moved as we arrived to find another Gold Star family member kneeling at her fiance s stone crying it was his birthday. As she mourned, we shared our love with her. Families visited heroes they know and many they did not know. Because of love, Section 60 brings us all together. We traveled on to the 9/11 Memorial for those who died in the Pentagon. Many people were tired and worn by this time, but most were compelled to visit the memorial.

Our evening brought us a Dine Around . Our buses took us to 3 different areas of the city to different types of restaurants. On the way back, we had an evening tour of the city some with the chance to walk the Korean and Vietnam Memorials impressive during the day more so at night! My most memorable moment of the evening was meeting with two of our Blue Star mothers who had found their Father s name on the Vietnam Wall. Later I gave them my Gold Star pin that I had.

Tuesday was simply an awesome day. We arrived at the White House to have a buffet breakfast arrayed and picnic tables. The band played as we enjoyed ourselves. President and Mrs. Bush joined us and the President spoke for a few moments then the fun really began! President and Mrs. Bush along with Vice President Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and many more stayed and chatted with us for quite some time. We were invited to tour the White House and then head on our way up to Capitol Hill. FYI I was one of the last on the lawn the President stayed and shook hands/spoke with everyone that was there! I am told that his staff at one point told him he needed to go back inside, but he said no he was going to see everyone and he did! I think he enjoyed it as much as we did!

We traveled to The Hill and the sea of Red Shirts was everywhere mixing with the tan shirts of the Vets for Freedom guys. Families met with Legislators from their state or other states. Whether the Legislator had the same viewpoint or otherwise, they could not help but be moved by our families. They spoke from their heart about their heroes and their devotion to our country and the completion of the mission. We joined Vets for Freedom for a Press Conference and we were joined by about 20 Legislators who also support our Troops and Their Mission! While taunted by Code Pink, we stood strong and united proud in support of our heroes! We made a difference that day many Legislators commented about our Families in their Red Shirts- hearing the voice of those supporting the troops made them stand stronger!

Tuesday evening, we were then privileged to spend the evening at the brand new Marine Museum at Quantico. Surrounded by the magnificent structure and the amazing history. We too made history those short 3 days but more important We made a difference.

We continue to make a difference:

By sharing our stories with family, friends !
By writing opinion stories and Letters to the Editor !
By sharing our stories with the local media radio, tv, newspaper !
By calling/visiting our elected officials (city, state national) and sharing our hero !
By Sharing our Voice !
By no longer being THE SILENT MAJORITY !


MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD TODAY

Renew those contacts with your elected officials today call them or visit them. Most Senators are home for Columbus week break. Many are working on the Health Care legislation, but there should always be time to talk about our most prized possession the men and women of our military, their needs including funding and support, and their families.

Do not hesitate pick up the phone and call today!

Senators Listing: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Reps. Listing: http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml


FAMILIES UNITED LAUNCHES STATES

Families United now has leaders in almost every state. You may contact your state leader by emailing them to state @familiesunitedmission.com for example contact Minnesota leaders at Minnesota@FamiliesUnitedMission.com.



Messages from participants of United for a Strong America - 2007

If you have posted photos to a website please let us know
we will share them on our website!

Defense Link article: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=47481

Peter Wright has a number of fantastic photos available on his website. Check out:
http://www.skyuka.org/ The links for each segment are found below the photo of the Grand Teton.
Link to Daniel Merrick's photos http://www.rdjcatalog.com/WH091807/WhiteHouse907.html
Link to photos posted on Operation America Rising of the Arlington National Cemetery events: http://www.operationamericarising.com/oarnewscenter.html


Excerpts from thank yous received telling the stories of the families:

However, the top two events had to be meeting the President, his wife, the Vice President, Sec Rice, and K Hughes and spending 4 days with the most wonderful families. Our hearts are filled to overflowing with each of the experiences you made possible .

.... Getting to know the other families who feel the way we do about supporting our troops and their mission meant a lot to us. Never in a million years did we think we would be having breakfast at the White House, and see President and Mrs. Bush in person. Everyone was so polite and respectful. Our visit to Arlington National Cemetery was very emotional, but filled us with such pride, and we were honored to be there. The bus tours were a blast. Touring the Pentagon, the trip to Union Station and seeing our nation s capitol in the evening when everything is lit up was awesome. The dinner at the Marine Corps Museum was wonderful. We were fortunate that our son, who is stationed at Quantico, was able to join us, along with his wife and our granddaughter

THE COMPANY was the BEST. Never have I felt greater love for my country that on this trip!! The tours were so well executed and we enjoyed seeing D.C for the first time by day and night. Paying our respects at Arlington cemetery was emotional but such an honor. The grand finale was our visit to the White House. I was able to have a relaxed chat with our Commander-In Chief. He was so gracious and gave such individual attention to me. I think we all felt as though we were the only ones on that lawn as he spoke with us and hugged us. Visiting the Pentagon was my daughter's favorite part. It was a privilege to walk the halls of Congress and asking support for the troops. It was wonderful to be able to introduce them to Families United and its mission for THE mission .

I would like to share with you what this trip did for our family. My children have been quite angry about losing their brother, they are young and even as an adult it is a hard thing to deal with. It was revolutionary for them to be able to meet many other Gold Star families. To see that they are not alone. Prior to this trip they hated God, the President and the war. Since the experiences of this trip that has changed 180 degrees. We were able to be at the Anti-war rally on September 15th and join the Gathering of Eagles. We stood at the Capitol when the protesters came, we stood apart from them - a silent voice in support of our troops. As a mother, I was a bit concerned with what my children were witnessing. We were standing near a group of people who were shouting back and forth with the protesters. When I tried to pull my children away, they didn't want to leave. I could see they were getting caught up into what was to me, turning into an ugly monster. My children were not part of the crowd that was hurling insults back and forth, but they were witnessing the ugliness (of what leads to war). I again told my children it was time to move to a different location. A man said to me "Oh mom, let them stay, they are learning here." I asked him, what are they learning? He said they are learning about the other side and their views. I asked him how are they learning this? So far all I've heard are people attacking people, and name calling, I have yet to see one of the people on our side go up to a protester and ask them why they feel the way they do. He looked at me and said you are right. I grabbed my children and joined the silent crowd. I learned that day that what we witnessed only made people dig their heels in even further to stand for what they believed. However, I also saw my own children change. They now believed as I believe, that we must support our troops and their mission. What changed them? I don't really know.

think we really did make a difference. The people we met were unbelievable. The grace, dignity, and class that all of the Gold Star families have is one of the most awesome things I have ever seen. I really am moved that we as Blue Star families could be a part of this. I learned what a true sacrifice is from talking to the families and that they do it with such honor is unbelievable.

Family members came from across the United States. We were a cross section of America, and from all walks of life. The gold star on our nametag was the common bond .not one that we had wanted or expected to share, but one that was thrust upon us as part of the consequences of war. The immediate reaction upon meeting was to reach out and give each other a heartfelt hug, for no one else can fully comprehend both the incredible pain and intense pride we feel as we grieve the loss of our fallen heroes! As we shared the stories of our loved ones .sons or daughters, husbands or wives, fathers or mothers, brothers or sisters ..there was a common thread that seemed to run throughout! Whether a Corporal or a Private, a Major or a Colonel, a Marine, or a sailor, soldier or airman, these men and women believed in what they were doing. They were dedicated to service to our country, many from an early age. They not only lived the values of duty, honor and country, they died for them. Upon getting to know the families they left behind, it was clear where those strong values came from. These families whose loved ones had made the ultimate sacrifice, were the most patriotic American s I have ever met! Whether from Montana, Mississippi, Missouri or Minnesota or any other state from coast to coast, we were proud to be standing together in support of our troops and their mission!

I am a member of a military family awaiting the third deployment of our soldier to Iraq in the next several weeks. I was able to meet many families like ours who are not only dealing with our loved ones either being killed in action or deployed; but are also forced to fight our own mission here at home. Together, many of us were able to unite and make our voices heard at Capitol Hill, show support for our Commander in Chief and our Generals and empower each other to continue on "United For A Strong America".

The event was awesome and I believe it did what it was meant to do. I know it energized my wife and I to fight for what we believe in. Sometimes we get discouraged and feel no one is listening and do nothing. No more My wife and I have been Patriot Guard Riders for almost 2 years and have attended well over 40 missions for the families of our soldiers both serving and veterans. We feel this is the least we can do but we must do more.

I have difficulty finding words to describe what this trip meant to us. Being at an anti war demonstration was amazing. It made me more cognizant of the importance of our freedom. What a gift that we can demonstrate to our government when we disagree. I was proud to stand and represent those who are at war for our country guaranteeing those rights .

To who made this possible we would like to thank you for this trip of a life time. It made us feel like we just might make a difference in the way the political parties look at the families and the war in Iraq.
We know our son is doing what he volunteered to do and he is doing the job that he wanted to do.
It is time that our country realizes these young men a women are doing what they are trained to do and that is to protect the United States. They know how to do it and are doing a fine job in it.

Words cannot express how my life has been changed this past week. Even though I have been involved with the Navy Family for a long time (13+ years) I thought my usefulness was over. However, this week, so many opportunities to make a positive stand for my country have knocked on my door! Thank you for inviting me and helping me to strengthen my courage to stand up for what I believe in and why my son is serving over there. Since I've been back to liberal NJ I've received some pretty awful comments, but, by the grace of God, I'm staying strong. Thanks for a dream-come-true trip

We are making a difference standing United for a Strong America!