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Barzani's comments came during meetings with the
delegation of Gold Star Families on a historic trip
to Kurdistan and Iraq.
These families each lost a child in Operation Iraqi
Freedom, and they now are traveling in Iraq to see
the land and people for whom their loved ones gave
their lives.
Organizer Move America Forward said, to its
knowledge, no other such trip to Iraq by families of
fallen troops had ever taken place.
Group members also had an hour-long meeting with
Iraqi Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani, who
related emotional stories about those whose lives
were lost at the hands of former Iraqi dictator
Saddam Hussein. The Gold Star Families shared their
accounts of lives loss, too.
"It was a huge honor for us to be able to speak with
the prime minister and president of Iraqi Kurdistan.
They were extraordinarily gracious and warm," said
Debra Argel Bastian, whose son, Derek, died in
Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"We've been treated so well by everyone. During our
meeting with President Barzani he pulled down a
tapestry framed from his wall and gave it to us. I
can't tell you how much we appreciate the kindness
and generosity of these people," she said.
There also was an emotional experience for Joe and
Jan Johnson, of Rome, Ga., who lost son Justin
during combat in Sadr City, Iraq, just a few days
after Justin's close friend, Casey Sheehan, died in
combat in the same city. Sheehan was the son of
anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan.
Theirs are the lives and stories of heroism profiled
in the newly released book "American Mourning", a
WND book by Catherine Moy and Melanie Morgan,
founder of Move America Forward.
The families were visiting U.S. troops when a man
who had been stationed with Justin Johnson
approached. He had gone out on a mission to rescue
Justin, but the soldiers did not arrive in time to
save Justin's life.
He never had thought he would be able to meet
Justin's parents, and was overwhelmed by the
experience.
Jan Johnson's audio account of the meeting is
available at
Move America Forward's website.
The families also joined the people of Iraq over the
weekend in celebrating the guilty verdict handed
down against the murderous former dictator,
according to officials for the two-year-old troop
support organization.
The American families are on a 10-day trip to see
the land their children died to free.
The delegation includes Joseph Williams, whose son,
Marine Lance Cpl. Michael Williams, died in 2003;
John Holley, whose son, Army Spc. Matthew Holley,
died in 2005; Mike Anderson, whose son, Marine Corps
Cpl. Michael Anderson Jr., died in 2004, Debra and
Todd Bastian, whose son, Air Force Capt. Derek Argel,
died in 2005; and Janet and Joseph Johnson, whose
son, Justin, died in 2004 and is the subject of
"American Mourning;"
A spokesman for the nonprofit Move America Forward,
which organized the trip, says they are expected to
stay the rest of the week before returning home.
Although they were not given clearance by military
officials to visit Baghdad or other parts of the
country, the families wanted to see where their sons
died in combat.
Officials say the trip, which cost between 5,000 and
$7,000 per person, was paid for by contributions to
the Sacramento-based organization.
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