Gold Star Families Lead Rally to Support Troops Their Mission

By Petty Officer 3rd Class John R. Guardiano, USN: American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2005 – Led by scores of Gold Star family members from throughout the United States, several hundred Americans today rallied on the National Mall here to support U.S. troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Students who traveled from Staunton, Va., to show their support for the troops, show off the banner they signed that will be sent to troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Rally to Honor Military Families, held Sept. 25 on the National Mall in Washington, was sponsored by Move America Forward, Free Republic and Right March. Photo by William Moss (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Their message was simple: "We support our troops," said rally organizer Kristinn Taylor. "We love them and we support their mission."

"We know that what they are doing is just and noble," he added. "We remember what happened on Sept. 11. We know that it's because of the sacrifices that they are making day in and day out, night and day, that we have not had another terrorist attack on our soil."

"Keep doing what you're doing," agreed Kevin Bush of Reston, Va. "We all love you; we all support you; and it's worth it."

...to continue this story, click here.