attack Cindy Sheehan
Parents of American fighters in Iraq say protester doesn't speak for them
Posted: August 17, 2005
11:45 p.m. Eastern
By Joe Kovacs
© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com
 Marine Cpl. Matthew Matula, killed in Iraq April 9, 2004 |
The continued focus by the nation's media on Cindy Sheehan, the so-called "Peace Mom" who's demanding a second meeting with President Bush in the wake of her son's death, is sparking a backlash from parents of other American servicemen and women in Iraq.
One Texas family of a fallen Marine became so enraged with Sheehan's use of their son's name on a protest cross, they drove from the town of Spicewood to Crawford to remove it.
"I went there and had Matthew's name taken off of there," said Matt Matula, whose son, a 20-year-old Marine, was killed by hostile fire last year. "It's fine for people to grieve their own way. It aggravates me to see them using other people's names to further their cause."
"He's not a victim, he's a hero," he told KXAN-TV, "and I think that everybody that's serving our country [are] heroes."
Cpl. Matthew Matula, whose wife, Julie, was pregnant when he was killed in action, had planned on bringing his wife and baby back from his base in Southern California to Texas to get a ranch and build a house.
 Stephanie Williams, 11, Karina Lopez, 9, and Brittney Conrad, 10, pay tribute at a 2004 candlelight vigil in Murrieta, Calif., to Cpl. Matt Matula (photo: Mike Norkin/for the Californian) |
He earned a host of decorations, including the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Operation Iraqi Freedom Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. His younger brother youngest son just recently joined the military and is also heading to Iraq.
"Matthew was very proud of being a Marine and proud of his unit and what they were doing," his mother, Toni, said.
Her feelings are echoed by another war mom, Debbie from Indianapolis, who called radio host Rush Limbaugh today to say her own son was wounded in Iraq when his vehicle ran over a land mine twice in one day, and he's now serving his second tour of duty.
"I would never dishonor his actions by doing what this woman is doing," she tearfully said, referring to Cindy Sheehan. "What she's doing is not only dishonoring her son, she's dishonoring mine. ... [Casey Sheehan] didn't die for nothing, he died in the United States Armed Forces.There's nothing more honorable than that. These kids volunteered, they were not yanked from their cradle by an evil government to send them someplace they didn't want to go ... My son knew what was in store for him, and my son stepped up to the plate."
Lee Miller, who has a long list of family members in the service, wrote the China Daily newspaper to blast Mrs. Sheehan, while at the same time heaping praise on her son, Casey.
"He is a better person then you will ever be. So go home and honor his name instead of dragging it in the dirt. Make a difference instead of trying to be in the limelight. You're making an a-- out of yourself. I know your pain. I have been down that path – it hurts, but don't blame someone for a choice a person makes when it doesn't work out. Build a bridge and get over it. Your son was proud of what he did, so be proud of him."
The backlash has led to the creation of the "You Don't Speak for Me, Cindy" tour, a caravan of military family members who plan to converge on Crawford for a rally Aug. 27.
The event is being promoted by MoveAmericaForward, and is led by Deborah Johns of Northern California Marine Moms. Her son, William, is a Marine serving in Iraq.
 Deborah Johns of Roseville, Calif., stars in commercial supporting her son and others fighting for freedom in Iraq |
"I am deeply sorry for Ms. Sheehan's loss; however, Ms. Sheehan's actions are only causing pain to those of us who have loved ones serving in the war against terrorism," Johns said. "We understand the need to fight the terrorists overseas rather than face attack here at home. We understand that it was the terrorists led by al-Qaida in Iraq who are responsible for the deaths of U.S. service members, including Casey Sheehan."
Johns is now starring in a new television commercial she produced.
"William is helping to bring about freedom, and people are realizing that freedom is a gift," she says in the spot. "He supports what we're doing over there."
The backlash is not going unnoticed by Cindy Sheehan.
 Cindy Sheehan |
"The right wingers are e-mailing me and spewing filth about me on the radio and on the television saying that I am dishonoring my son's memory," she writes. "The right wingers are really having a field day with me. It hurts me really badly, but I am willing to put up with the cr--, if it ends the war a minute sooner than it would have."
She's also disputes allegations her anti-war protest is all about her.
"I was just the spark the universe chose for some reason to spark this off, because, like I said, the movement was already there."
 President Bush kissing Cindy Sheehan in family photo dated June 18, 2004 |
As WorldNetDaily previously reported, Sheehan met with President Bush in June of last year, and even posted a photo of herself being kissed by the commander in chief on her website designed to honor her son. The photos of Bush have since been surgically removed from the site.
Related story:
Previous stories:
Bush shown kissing Cindy in family pix
Cindy's husband seeking divorce
Man defends firing shots near Bush protesters
Cindy Sheehan: I won't pay tax
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Joe Kovacs is executive news editor for WorldNetDaily.com.
BS Ranch Perspective:
If anything Sheehan is a crazy woman. She is so lost in Depression that the only way that she can deal with it is to attack the Federal Government! The only thing that I have to say is that there was always a chance that the United States was going to have to use the Military to Defend itself Whether it be for us or the Democracy to Indirectly Save our FREEDOM from Terrorists Abroad, and from coming over here! They would be training in Sadam's Gracious land, and not only that, but they would be his esteemed guests, and Hero's of the country!
So we had to do something to save our Democracy, Our Freedom from Terror! Sure it is a war that no one wants to fight now, everyone is crying because they cannot see the exit date, well that might be far away, that might be measured in Years rather then months, Unless a Democrat wins the next Presidential election and there very well might be one, but if they don't go and stay the fight we will have twice as much problems as we do now, turning our back is not the answer!
Sheehan is so grief stricken that she is taking this out on the United States President, Not because of the War in Iraq, but because he is a Republican, If for no other reason, but people are turning fast against her because she is grief stricken and that plays with your ability to reason your ability to be able to do things right. I for one am surprised that Sheehan is still a news figure.
I just have to say this about the whole thing. We have a 100% Volunteer Military! 100% VOLUNTEER, Sheehan's Son filled out the application to be in the military, he filled out the paper work to join! He was not drafted, he was not forced in any way to become a military force. of one.
I give great appreciation for what her son has done, fought for this country and lost his life the ultimate sacrifice and it is so hard to take and to go on. I just continue to pray for the Sheehan's That they can find Peace with the loss of her son. I lost my brother it is something that you never get over, and I still hold a grudge for the people that I feel were responsible, but I didn't camp out at their house, anything like that! I guess at that time it was anything to get your face in the press!!
BS Ranch
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