Iraq Veterans Rebuke Edwards' Memorial Day Politicization

Iraq Veterans Rebuke Edwards Memorial Day Politicization
Friday, May 25, 2007

New York - Vets for Freedom, a veterans group dedicated to communicating America's strategy in Iraq, strongly denounced a media campaign led by former Senator John Edwards that uses Memorial Day to promote anti-war protests. Edwards arrogantly declared Memorial Day "exactly the right time" to protest the Iraq War, encouraging anti-war protestors to take to the streets.

VFF Executive Director, and Iraq war veteran, Pete Hegseth calls it "exactly the wrong time."

"It's unfortunate that a viable Democratic presidential candidate would use Memorial Day--the day America remembers her fallen heroes--to promote political statements," said Hegseth, who served in both Baghdad and Samarra, Iraq. "Americans are understandably divided on the Iraq War, but Memorial Day is a sacred space; a time to lay aside partisan politics and come together. This holiday is about remembering the fallen on the battlefield and passing their collective story to the next generation. These stories, and the men that bear them, are the backbone of this American experiment and must never be forgotten."

Vets for Freedom will close its doors for Memorial Day, joining the rest of America in remembering American GI's who fought--and died--for the cause of freedom. But Hegseth adds, "After Memorial Day weekend, I look forward to redoubling our efforts to communicate America's strategic objectives in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Vets for Freedom boasts an ever-growing network of veterans who believe in the need to defeat radical Islamist insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan. Led by Al Qaeda, radical Islamists--waging a global insurgency--have declared war on America and now seem poised to declare victory in Iraq. Vets for Freedom will do everything it can to make sure this does not happen; mobilizing the voices of the vast "silent majority" of veterans who believe in the mission to be heard in Washington, DC and throughout America.


As for John Edwards' Memorial Day ploy, Hegseth submits, "I would be surprised if many people heed Edwards' call for action. The American people are sensible, and recognize a political stunt when they see one."

Vets For Freedom