Military Moms Begin Pro-Kerry Tour

[JI7]

<Six women whose sons or husbands are in the military launched a multistate bus tour at West Virginia's veterans memorial Tuesday to campaign for Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry and against the war in Iraq.

Most have a loved one who has served in or is now in Iraq or Afghanistan. Another group of women with military ties are on a similar bus tour through the Midwest. Although none is from West Virginia, the tour began in Charleston because the presidential race is close here and military and veterans issues are important, a spokeswoman said.

"It's not about not supporting the troops. It's not about being un-American. It's about being against George Bush," said Nita Martin of Wallingford, Pa., who has two sons in the Marine Corps.

Her younger son took part in the invasion of Iraq and came home in the summer of 2003. Her older son, who is now in Iraq, had to buy his own helmet before he went because the helmet provided by the military did not offer protection against shrapnel and bullets.

"He is in more danger than my youngest son was in the first wave," said Martin, a Republican. "It's a much more dangerous situation than it ever has been.>

http://www.10tv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2333877

[mmonk]

1. Now if they can only garner some media coverage

it will be a powerful statement.

[wicket]

2. Good to hear!

[xchrom]

3. very cool!

[pacalo]

4. Out of the $65 billion given to the coWard-in-chief for this war,

why weren't the troops' needs high on the priority list?

"...Her older son, who is now in Iraq, had to buy his own helmet before he went because the helmet provided by the military did not offer protection against shrapnel and bullets."

[TexasBushwhacker]

7. They have to buy a lot of necessities

Over on the Books for Soldiers site, where soldiers can make specific requests for books, DVDs, CDs, and all sorts of other things, we get requests for:

1) Sunscreen - When it gets to 120 degrees every day, why isn't sunscreen provided by the military? Do they think soldiers can't get skin cancer?

2) Bug spray

3) Mechanics gloves - Imagine the delight of working on hot automotive parts WITHOUT GLOVES. To top it off, the army issue coveralls are heavy fabric with long sleeves.

4) Food - Over 18 months later and there are still units that get nothing to eat but MRE's. They ask for snacks like protein bars, beef jerky and condiments like hot sauce just to break the monotony.

5) Pillowcases - That's right. Imagine, after a day in 120 degree heat, laying your weary head to rest on the same pillow every night with no pillowcase.

Of course, these things pale in comparison to substandard protective gear and unarmored vehicles. But still, I don't really consider these things luxury items.

If you'd care to visit the Books for Soldiers site and make their day with a care box, here it is:

http://www.booksforsoldiers.com/forum/index.php

[pacalo]

8. Thanks for the info & the link!

I would be honored to send a care box!

[JoFerret]

10. Great site, important work

Great place to recycle good quality paperbacks, media - including things that provide brain food and alternative ways of looking at BushWorld and IraqNam.

[struggle4progress]

5. kick for Mom

:kick:

[JoFerret]

6. Nita Martin is a courageous woman

.

[Supersedeas]

9. they all are--everyone of them will be subject to personal attack

[truthisfreedom]

11. bump for the TRUTH FROM MOMS!