In honoring the brave who gave their all...
Families United urges fast track for bill to protect fallen heroes; Gold Star families urge passage
August 03, 2006
Families United press releaseCEDAR RAPIDS, IA -- Families United today thanked the sponsors of a bill to safeguard the honor of fallen service members and urged its members and all Americans to contact their representatives in Congress and demand they pass the bill as soon as possible.
"On behalf of 42,000 Families United members from across the country, I'm calling on all Americans to insist that Congress pass this vital bill immediately," said Chuck Larson, founder of Families United and a veteran of the Global War on Terror. "The memory of brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice has been abused by radical activists, who disgrace our fallen heroes and their families. This bill will preserve their honor."
If enacted, the Fallen Heroes Protection Act (HR 5772), sponsored by Rep. Charles W. Boustany Jr. (R-LA) and cosponsored by 23 others, would prohibit the names and likenesses of fallen service members from being used in political demonstrations or for commercial purposes, and in any instance where the service member's family did not offer explicit permission.
"No one should have to endure the grief of seeing their son, their brother, or their daddy, who gave his life for our freedom, exploited by those who would use his name and his face for disgusting political stunts," said Gary Qualls. Mr. Qualls is the father of Marine LCPL Louis W. Qualls, who saved the lives of 21 Marines and 37 Iraqi National Guard troops before falling to insurgent fire in the Battle of Fallujah.
Anti-war groups have emblazoned the identities and images of fallen heroes beneath anti-war slogans on t-shirts, which are then sold, despite the complaints of Gold Star families. The "Gold Star" designation is given to families who have lost loved ones in combat.
"The pleas of Gold Star Families for these shameless activists to stop dishonoring our loved ones have been ignored," added Qualls. "They're blatantly dishonoring and disrespecting our fallen heroes and their families, who deserve nothing but pure honor and pure respect."
Contact your Member of Congress today to urge passage of HR 5772!
Find your Congressman here.
Find your Senator here.
(Filed under Heroes)
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