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Marchers show resolve on way to Washington Spotsylvania County veterans joined 'Resolve to Win' campaign as it passes through Fredericksburg area Date published: 3/14/2008
By CATHY DYSON As word of the walkers spread along U.S. 1 yesterday, people came out of car dealerships and office buildings, salons and schools to see veterans walking and waving American flags. Drivers in Hummers and Hondas, tow trucks and tractor-trailers honked at the group. Men in business suits gave a boisterous thumbs-up while other motorists grinned and nodded. The marchers acknowledged each gesture. "It's like a shot of adrenalin," said Don Blosser, a Spotsylvania County veteran who walked five miles yesterday. "It gets you going." Blosser and other veterans with American Legion Post 320 in Spotsylvania joined the "Resolve to Win" campaign as it passed through the Fredericksburg area yesterday. Retired Maj. Dennis McCool of Florida is leading the 16-day walk from South Carolina to Washington. He and others want to encourage Americans to support the troops--and to let the professional military do its job in Iraq. McCool, who's 60, and two fellow retired soldiers started on March 1. One had to drop out because of severely blistered feet, and McCool was nursing shin splints and a swollen knee yesterday. He packed ice on his legs each time the group took a break. Some of those driving the vehicles that accompanied the walkers tried to talk him into riding, but McCool wouldn't hear of it. As he passed the Fredericksburg Armory--where a dozen soldiers came out to shake hands and thank the walkers--he said that if no pain meant no gain, "there was a lot of gaining going on." But instead of focusing on his aching legs--which already covered more than 300 miles--McCool turned his attention to those around him. Four members of Post 320's Honor Guard, ages 38 to 74, joined the walkers, which numbered about 10 yesterday. Four Spotsylvania veterans from Korea and World War II rode behind them in a Lincoln Continental, and two members of the American Legion Riders escorted them on motorcycles. The campaign has had similar support from veterans groups in several states, but the "Resolve to Win" marchers experienced a first yesterday. As the group passed in front of James Monroe High School, two bagpipers joined them. Fredericksburg residents Mike Yearsley and Ricardo Uribe played the Marine Corps hymn, along with other selections. "Makes you feel proud, don't it?" asked Carl Smith, a North Carolina resident and Vietnam veteran who was accompanying the walkers. "We've had unbelievable support along the way, but this local group has been really good. Virginia is really a patriotic state." Cathy Dyson: 540/374-5425
Date published: 3/14/2008
http://www.vfwwebcom.org/ResolveToWin/9926/Need+for+RESOLVE+TO+WIN.html
Best to let them answer you themselves. From their Blog they recieved alot of positive support on their trip through Spotsy and Fredburg.
Win is too small a word to describe what needs to happen in Iraq and it will not happen soon. We are improving the training of the locals and they assuming more of the load. The political part is coming together ever so slowly, but it is happening. We can look forward to a situation such as Korea or Germany for many years to come but we must resolve to stay and oversee this attempt at democracy or leave total chaos behind.
Does it mean a democratically elected Iraqi government? Does it mean returning Baathists to power? Does it mean greater Iranian influence in Iraq? Does it mean removing U.S. troops from a country engaged in a religious civil war? How does the United States win in Iraq?
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