Forest Hills High School Cancels Pro-War National Heroes Tour

MN Neo-con Rep. Michelle Bachman foiled again !

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: March 24, 2008
Forest Hills High School Cancels Pro-War National Heroes Tour:
Response to Outcry from Peace Groups and the Public

As the nation now mourns 4,000 of our sons and daughters in the U.S. military who have died in Iraq, Forest Lake High School, Minnesota, was scheduled to host a pro-war event under the subterfuge of "The National Heroes Tour." Ostensibly, the tour was to provide students with "an educational opportunity to serve their country." 150 social studies students were expected to take part in "classroom level activities," closed to the public. The tour, sponsored by Vets for Freedom--a national organization, is reported to be a "White House front group" (alleged to be aligned with former Swiftboating efforts) that is responsible for pro-war propaganda to help keep the war on Iraq going.

Counter recruitment organizations had planned to host a press conference, followed by leafleting and bannering, on Tuesday, March 25 at 9:00 a.m. outside Forest Lake High School, 601 Scandia Trail North, Forest Lake, Minnesota, Participants were various anti-war veterans from several military conflicts and representatives of peace groups. They intended to announce their opposition to the use of public schools as predatory grounds for pro-war groups that want to keep the war going, at the expense of young lives. However, as Principal Massey has responded this afternoon to pressure from the voices of peace in our community, the conference and protest are cancelled. Principal Massey is commended for refusing to allow the misuse of public high school for pro-war propaganda.

sounds like indoctrination

http://www.vetsforfreedom.com/heroestour/tour_stops.aspx

You can turn them around just like we did in MN.

Or greet them with your banners of truth.

We sent emails to the media exposing the truth of Vets for Freedom.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vets_For_Freedom_Action_Fund

Forest Lake event canceled; too political
By ALLIE SHAH , Star Tribune

March 24, 2008

A national tour featuring decorated veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan won't be stopping at Forest Lake Area High School today as planned, after school leaders abruptly canceled the visit.

Steve Massey, the school principal, said the decision to cancel was prompted by concerns that the event was becoming political rather than educational and therefore was not suitable for a public school.

He said the school had received several phone calls from parents and others, some of whom indicated that they may stage a protest if the event took place.

"The event was structured to be an academic classroom discussion around military service. We thought we'd provide an opportunity for kids to learn about service in the context of our history classes," Massey said. "As the day progressed, it became clear that this was becoming a political event ... which would be inappropriate in a public setting.

"We decided to cancel," Massey said. Organizers of the National Heroes Tour then scrambled to relocate the event to the American Legion building in Forest Lake. The visit, which U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Stillwater, had been scheduled to attend, is sponsored by Vets for Freedom, a national organization run by Pete Hegseth, a 1999 graduate of Forest Lake Area High School who served with the 101st Airborne in Iraq in 2005-06.

"I think it's extremely unfortunate that a school would bow to the political pressure of outside groups and not bring in a veterans organization," Hegseth said. "Are we saying that patriotism and duty and honor have no place in our public schools?" So far, the tour has visited one school, albeit a private school.

The stop in Forest Lake was supposed to involve about 150 social studies students and was going to be closed to the public but open to the media. But the last-minute venue change left Hegseth wondering how many people would actually show up today.

"I don't know if we'll have a crowd," he said. "We changed venues, but we don't have the ability to publicize it." He said he had talked with school officials ahead of time and assured them that the presenters would not make any political statements.

"We had a number of conversations at the beginning of this to make sure our message was in keeping with the traditions of a public school," Hegseth said.

"We have not endorsed a presidential candidate. We're not in the business of doing that." According to the Veterans for Freedom website, the national tour "is about supporting our troops, honoring their commitment and rallying the country to complete the missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

At this critical juncture in our country, we need Americans, lawmakers and the media to fully recognize -- and appreciate -- the sacrifice of our brave military and the dramatic success they have achieved, especially in Iraq with the new counterinsurgency strategy."

When asked whether the part about "rallying the country to complete the missions in Iraq and Afghanistan" could indeed be construed as political, Hegseth said that the group agreed not to advocate about the "progress made in Iraq and Afghanistan."

"It's Iraq and Afghan veterans talking about what they saw and what they did there, and about what it means to put on the uniform of your country," he said. The veterans started their bus tour in San Diego on March 14 and will end April 9 in New York City.
Allie Shah • 651-298-1550

© 2008 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=11173
March 24th, 2008 5:52 pm
American Legion in FL will host Vets for Freedom event Tuesday after FLHS cancels appearance


Forest Lake Times

Tuesday’s planned National Heroes Tour stop at Forest Lake High School under the sponsorship of the Vets for Freedom organization, has been canceled and moved to American Legion Post 225, 355 W. Broadway Ave. The program is slated from 9-11 a.m.

On Monday, Steve Massey, high school principal, said negative calls and e-mail relating to the school’s involvement in the event made it necessary for the school to cancel the appearance. Some 150 social studies students were slated to hear the stories of veterans from a number of U.S. wars and learn about the importance of military service to the country.

Massey said he has received more than a dozen phone calls and e-mails objecting to or questioning the school involvement. As an institution that needs to remain neutral and objective, Massey said he did not want the school placed in a situation where the Iraq War would be the topic of a debate and possibly a protest. Pete Hegseth, executive director of the national organization and a Forest Lake graduate, had arranged the tour, one of many that will take place throughout country. Sixth District Congresswoman Michele Bachmann was also slated to attend.

Chief of Police Clark Quiring said citizens who were putting leaflets on the windshieds of vehicles in the high school parking lot on Monday were asked to leave the grounds and did so. The leaflets were in opposition of the Tuesday event.