Gold Star families rally in response to protesters

Margaret Johnson, 54, came to the District yesterday to remember her 29-year-old son and honor his sacrifice.

Clutching a photograph of Army Capt. Christopher Johnson, the American Gold Star Mother said she couldn’t be more proud of him.

“He did make a difference in this world; I don’t care what anyone says,” said Mrs. Johnson, of Excelsior Springs, Mo. “I am here to speak for my son. I am here to support him. He knew the cost of freedom and that it was not free, and he volunteered to go to Iraq anyway.”

A member of the 25th Infantry Division (Light), Capt. Johnson was killed in a midair helicopter collision Oct. 16 in Iraq. He spent 10 months in Iraq and was getting ready to come home, Mrs. Johnson said.

“He was good at what he did, and he loved it,” she said as she wiped tears from her face. “This photo is a self-portrait. He was so happy.”

Mrs. Johnson was among an estimated 400 people who gathered on the Mall yesterday to show support for the troops in Iraq. Those who attended the Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission rally wore American flags and yellow ribbons.

The rally yesterday was held to counter Saturday’s anti-war protests, which attracted as many as 100,000 people, according to police estimates.

Amid banners and signs proclaiming support for U.S. troops, several speakers hailed the effort to bring democracy to Iraq and Afghanistan and denounced those who protest it.

Many demonstrators focused their ire at anti-war mother Cindy Sheehan, who kept a 26-day vigil last month outside President Bush’s ranch in Crawford, Texas. Her 24-year-old son, Army Spc. Casey Sheehan, was killed in Iraq in April 2004.

Mrs. Sheehan was among the speakers on Saturday.

At the rally yesterday, one sign read “Cindy Sheehan doesn’t speak for me.” Another sign reading “Arrest the traitors” listed Mrs. Sheehan’s name first among several who have spoken against the war.

“Cindy Sheehan, in my opinion, is a traitor,” said Diane Ibbotson, of Albion, Ill., whose son was killed by insurgents. Her 21-year-old son, Army Cpl. Forest J. Jostes, was in a vehicle behind Spc. Sheehan when they were killed.

“Cindy Sheehan has a right to protest, wave signs, march or whatever, a right she wouldn’t have had it not been for men like our sons,” Mrs. Ibbotson said. “I resent the fact that she says she ‘speaks for the millions’ and is the face of the Gold Star families. That is not so.”

Gary Qualls, of Temple, Texas, raised a white cross that bore his son’s name, Marine reservist Lance Cpl. Louis W. Qualls, who was killed Nov. 16 in Iraq.

“[Anti-war protesters] never asked for my permission to put up a cross for my son for their cause. They are not respecting our sons and daughters,” Mr. Qualls said.

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