One of the highlights of the DNC Pro Troop rally for me was being able to give Debbie Lee a hug. I handed her two Hippy Hygiene Kits and asked her to pass them out for me as I had to leave early to go to church. She laughed and it was really great connecting with someone who has been a hero for a long time.
Jenny Hatch
Here is her most recent email:
Goodbye DNC – Hello RNC
Today I’m preparing to leave Denver, the DNC and the crowds it attracted known as the liberal “lefties,” no question about it their ability to reason and think rationally has definitely left. I’m looking forward to landing in Minn. to be with like minded people who will be gathering for the RNC, who think in their “right minds.”
Many people would question if I was thinking in my right mind when I choose to come to Denver during the DNC and speak at a pro-troop rally across the street from the 25,000 to 50,000 anticipated violent, radical, anti-war, “peace” protestors. Okay this is part of the reasoning ability that they are lacking. There tactics and antics are the farthest thing from peaceful. They don’t know the first thing about peace, and they call themselves “peace” protestors?

Trust me that thought came to mind several times when I read all of the accounts of the activities and protests they had planned. I have confronted these anarchists in DC and Berkeley and know their history, but I was here for one reason to stand for our troops and honor them and their families. I remembered the day my son Marc Alan Lee died. He went into the line of fire, he didn’t run from it. Our troops are willing to give it all for me, for you, for this country. This was the least I could do to honor them and show my support.
As Sunday unfolded it would bring a major contrast in people marching about the troops and their mission. We arrived early at our location and found people already gathering to honor our troops. I am always elated when I see the people who gather at our events and rallies to honor our troops. You can see it in their eyes they get it, “Freedom isn’t free.”
Flags were flying, patriotic music was playing, and people were carrying signs. “Got Freedom, thank a Vet!” “Hey moon bat’s try supporting our side for a change.” But one of my favorite’s showed a soldier walking down the red carpet “Isn’t it time we recognize our TRUE celebrities?”
I was just getting ready to speak when the anti-war protestors started to march down Colfax right where we were. I decided it would be pretty chaotic with the 25,000 to 50,000 of them marching by screaming obscenities, and throwing things at us. Earlier in the week they had found protestors with bags of feces.
The police had formed their riot lines in front of us. I would just wait until after they passed to speak. I started a “USA” chant alternating with “Thank the troops” and took my position on the street. I responded to several of their disgusting remarks with “My son died for your freedoms!” to which they responded with obscenities and the middle finger. They say they support the troops and their families? Sure we felt the love. I have never known a crowd like the anti-war group who uses that gesture so regularly, they are so immature. They can’t think of anything intelligent to say, so let’s use that finger?
We were surprised when the parade quickly passed without any incident. One of the officers we asked said there were about 300. A Far cry from the 25,000 to 50,000 they anticipated??? I have never seen them so mellow. Maybe they were smoking something too much? ;o) Their bark was definitely louder than their bite.
We were so proud of the police who were prepared and ready to arrest any outbreaks or attacks. Job well done! That’s the way it should be, Berkley take note!
When our rally ended we quickly headed to Colorado Springs for a “Run for the Fallen” at Fort Carson. We arrived and stood in line to get our entry forms and place our son’s names on them, to walk in their memory. To our surprise we found out that 45 minutes earlier they had passed out the 1000 forms they had printed. They had a larger turnout than they had prepared for.
We headed to the banners where the pictures of the fallen from Fort Carson were displayed. I read the names and thought of each one of these heroes and their families as I wiped the tears from my eyes. Each one of these men and women understood what it meant to give it all for their country, each one of these families were there to honor and remember the sacrifice their loved one made.
We were entertained by a group of soldiers who we had met the night before at a banquet to honor the Gold Star families. It is always a bitter/sweet when you meet other families of the fallen. There is an instant bond knowing we understand the loss and pain that we are enduring.
Major General Mark Graham addressed the crowd before we begin and honors our fallen. He intimately knows our pain and pride as he has also lost a son in Iraq.
The course is a mile long and we are 3-4 abreast. When all of the people are on the course it stretches at least ½ mile if not 2/3 mile. These are Americans who support the troops and their families, who understand the cost, and who are grateful for all they give and do.
Again tears trickle down my cheek as I remember my son Marc, and see the out pouring of support, knowing that the majority of Americans do remember their sacrifice, they are deeply grateful, and they will continue to remember the fallen and stand behind our troops.
Monday morning I googled the events of Sunday and again was disappointed at the lack of coverage for our pro-troop events at the DNC. Ninety-nine percent of the coverage was about the anti-war protestors and one percent about those of us who support the troops.
It has been devastating to hear the speeches from the Convention floor saying nothing has changed in our National Security in the past 7 years. What a slap in the face to our troops. Just like Harry Reid’s comment that we have lost the war. They keep saying they support our troops, and make comments like this It is the determination, courage, commitment and professionalism with which our brave men and women serve that defend and keep us safe. Have we been attacked since 9-11 in America? If we would have ignored the terrorists after 9-11 and done nothing, do they seriously think we wouldn’t have been attacked over and over at an even greater loss of innocent lives.
I am so proud of our men and women, who have served, are serving, and those who have paid the ultimate price. Thank you! You are my heroes and I love each one of you! Please know that the majority of America is behind you and is standing up for you, even though the majority of the media doesn’t want to tell you, I will!
Counting my Freedoms,
Debbie Lee