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Parents of fallen troops
in surprise visit to Iraq
Secretly arrive in country to offer
support to military, rebut John Kerry

Parents of U.S. troops who died in Iraq have quietly slipped in to the Middle East nation to offer support to its people and to American servicemen and women.

Coming on the heels of Sen. John Kerry's widely publicized comment suggesting military service is a refuge of the lazy and uneducated, the parents say they also want to rebut the Massachusetts Democrat.

"I am spitting mad at John Kerry for insulting our troops. Duck and run was his specialty in Vietnam," said Gold Star mother Debra Argel.

Organizer Move America Forward said, to its knowledge, no other such trip to Iraq by families of fallen troops had ever taken place.

Joe and Jan Johnson, whose son Justin died in Sadr City, also expressed anger at Kerry. The family's story is featured in the newly released book "American Mourning", which recounts how Joe Johnson, himself, joined the military to serve in Iraq.

"These were grown adults we are talking about, not kids who didn't know what they were doing," said the couple's statement. "Contrary to Kerry's belief, they made an 'educated' decision to join the military, most of them after 9/11, so they knew the possibilities of going to war were pretty good and they chose to serve anyway."

"American Mourning" – which contrasts the Johnsons with the family of Justin's war buddy, Casey Sheehan – tells how Kerry tried to recruit the Johnsons at their sons' funeral to speak out against President Bush and his Iraq policy.

The Gold Star parents want to see the newly liberated Iraq for which their children gave their lives, Move America Forward said, pointing out most of the country's provinces are without the violence shown daily by international media.

The family members will meet with U.S. troops and hope to meet with Iraqi citizens and their government leaders.

Move America Forward said it is providing updated accounts of the trip, with photographs, audio and video on its website.

The trip, planned for more than a year, is being financed by the contributions of thousands of Americans, the group said. No government money has been used.

Family members have issued the following statements to explain why they are in Iraq.

John Holley:

    I want to see for myself what America has been able to accomplish to help the Iraqis help themselves. I will be asking the Iraqis what message do they want me to give for them to the people back in America. Finally, I came because I wanted to experience the same feelings that my son experienced when he was preparing to go to Iraq, sort of like walking in his shoes.

Debra Argel:

    I want to carry a message of love, support and hope to our troops. I want them to know that despite the negative media and despite our loss, we are there for them with all of our hearts. I hope to take some pictures with some of the troops and send pictures and cards to their families when I get home. These cards will help their families know that someone cared to spend a little time with their soldier.

Mike Anderson:

    This trip is something that I will gain additional closure from. Losing my only son, namesake, and first born, has been the toughest thing in my entire life. I continue to gain strength from Mike Jr. When they say Marines are a different breed, they are right – this kid was as tough as nails and a force to be reckoned with.

    I want tell anybody that will listen, the good that we have done and are currently doing. We cannot find security by turning a blind eye or thinking that "if we leave them alone, they'll leave us alone." That's utterly ridiculous.

Joseph Williams::

    I am proud of my son and his service to this nation. He made the ultimate sacrifice so that each of us may live in peace, blessed with freedom. America has carried the torch for freedom, fighting for individual liberties against communism, fascism, totalitarianism and now once more against terrorism. If we cut and run from Iraq, that will deal a devastating blow in the war against terrorism. Will any terrorist group ever fear us again, or will they know that they need only outlast us? We must stand by our heroic military men and women in Iraq and the mission they are serving there.

Jan Johnson:

    "I'm anxious but excited ... after all, it is still a war zone over there. I want to go see for myself what is going on over there. I have heard from a lot of people, both ways, and I want to be able to say I personally have been there and saw it first hand.

Joe Johnson:

    I want to be able to tell the troops that there are Americans who still believe we are doing the right thing by being there. We want them to know that there are people back here who are supporting and praying for them daily.