Mother Fed-Up With Anti-War Movement

Mar. 7 - KGO (KGO) -- A cross country caravan with a pro-troop message leaves the Bay Area Thursday for Washington DC. Their message is for politicians who they say should stand down on their anti-war rhetoric. The group plans a stop at a controversial East Bay anti-war memorial the differences Americans have on this war will be more than apparent.

Deborah Johns, Blue Star Moms: "My son, William, is serving his third tour of duty in Iraq."

While her son is serving his country, Deborah Johns will be leading a pro-war caravan from California to Washington D.C. to send a message to politicians.

Deborah Johns: "You voted to send them there, stand behind them and remain faithful to them 100 percent. The negative rhetoric hurts our military men and women. It hurts their morale."

From just talk about opposing the President's troop surge to the possibility of taking action and cutting war funding, Johns is sick and tired of politicians and Presidential candidates slamming the war in Iraq when she has her own worries.

Deborah Johns: "It's difficult every day. People do not realize the stress and strain we military families experience by having our loved ones deployed. You hold your breath everyday."

This is the third pro-war convoy for the Sacramento-based Move America Forward. The group got a lot of attention for its "You Don't Speak for Me, Cindy" tour, a counter to vocal anti-war mom Cindy Sheehan.

While it starts in San Francisco and makes its way south to Los Angeles by Friday, the caravan will stop in Lafayette, at a contentious war memorial put up by anti-war activists. It tallies the number of U.S. troops killed in Iraq.

Baika Pratt, anti-war activist: "It's clear to me that most of the people who are pro-war are opposed to the memorial so it doesn't make sense that they would meet here."

Those deep seated differences of opinion on the war will be in stark contrast when the caravan makes its visit before moving onto the nation's capitol. There, on March 17th, both will meet again for rallies to let Congress know what they think.

For Deborah, she wishes her pro-troops caravan could get as much attention as she feels the anti-war movement has gotten.

Deborah Johns: "They need our support 100 percent on all aspects of this war."

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