Letter from Debbie Lee whose son died in Operation Iraqi Freedom

To my fellow Americans:

As many of you know, I am the mother of the 1st Navy Seal who was killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. I've dedicated my life to giving voice to my fallen hero, Marc Alan Lee, and all those who have served, or are currently serving, in the United States military - so that we may remain a safe and free nation.

You can't begin to imagine how horrified and angered I was when I learned that the Berkeley City Council had passed three measures that attacked our troops, and called our military men and women, "uninvited" and "unwelcome intruders" in their own country.

For the past few years I had to hear from anti-war liberals about how terrible it was for our troops to be in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Now the anti-military radicals have convinced an American government body to say that our troops don't belong here in America.

So I was more than committed to take action to fight back, but even I wasn't prepared for what would happen next when I watched Code Pink anti-war protestors defacing the U.S. Marine Recruiting Center in Berkeley, then barricading the entry and harassing those who attempted to enter. What shocked and saddened me most was to see the Berkeley Police Department officers stand there and do nothing. They said they were "trying to remain neutral."

We cannot stand for this insanity any longer, my friends.

I have just returned from Iraq and have been with these amazing men and women and seen the progress they are making for our nation in the War on Terror. I cannot sit back quietly after seeing the greatness of our troops and allow them to be insulted and attacked in their own nation. They deserve so much more, and I will fight with every last breath in my body to make sure these heroes are properly honored and respected.

That is why it is time for us to take action to fight back - to fight in honor of our troops, and to stand in solidarity with them at the very location where they are being insulted and defamed.

So next Tuesday, February 12th I will stand in front of the Berkeley City Council Chambers (located at 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Berkeley, CA) from 5:00 AM until the City Council meets that evening at 7:00 PM.

I will demand that the City Council rescind their three anti-military resolutions and issue a formal apology to all U.S. military service men and women in general, and the United States Marine Corps in particular.

I am asking you to stand with me on this day, as I would greatly welcome the company and the moral support. And I would also like to show the media and the Berkeley City Council that I am not the only one who feels this way.

Last October, when Code Pink first vandalized the U.S. Marine Recruiting Center in Berkeley, Move America Forward organized a rally where hundreds upon hundreds of people showed up with their American flags.

But the sins against our troops are much greater this time - we can never stand for an American government body to attack our troops and call on the public not to cooperate with them.

So let us have a giant turnout on this day. If you cannot join me for this all-day vigil, then please be there at least by 5:00 PM (so you can secure a seat for the 7:00 PM City Council meeting)