Road trippin' to D.C.

For the past seven days, there's been a push by patriotic Americans to rally the public to stand behind the men and women serving in the war on terrorism. We've allowed the negativity and defeatism of the anti-war movement to go largely unchallenged for far too long.

Now, a group of Americans are speaking up and fighting back to make sure American support for our troops and their missions is resolute and unwavering.

TRENDING: Is this what you voted for, America?

When the anti-military, anti-American group ANSWER announced that they would be assembling an angry mob to protest near America's war memorials in Washington, D.C., it was clear that it was time to take action.

The "Gathering of Eagles" was born, and with it a cross-country pro-troops caravan organized by Move America Forward to rally the nation behind our military men and women past and present.

The caravan is called "These Colors Don't Run," and as it has traveled across the nation it's been met with a groundswell of support. The American people have heard enough from the anti-everything crowd, and now it's time to hear from those who love their nation and support our troops.

It's been an incredible week on the "These Colors Don't Run" national pro-troop caravan.

Thousands upon thousands of people have turned out at the 25 pro-troop rallies that have taken place from coast to coast between San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

Everyday Americans have taken the opportunity to come out and send a message of support for our troops that is delivered with a resonance so loud and strong that our troops serving overseas can hear it.

For several months prior, our nation had heard only news of doom-and-gloom about the war on terrorism. Political leaders such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her sidekick, Rep. Jack Murtha, were working feverishly on resolutions and legislation to undermine the war effort and announce surrender to the terrorists.

It was, in fact, on the very first day of the pro-troop caravan that Nancy Pelosi announced her latest plan for surrender in Iraq.

We've heard over and over again from those who have showed up to the caravan's pro-troop rallies that they recognized they couldn't be silent any longer. Thousands upon thousands of e-mails and letters have poured into the offices of Move America Forward in the past week.

Here's an excerpt of one such letter that explained the convictions and motivations behind those who have joined up with this historic event:

Very early this morning my wife, a friend and I drove to the State Capitol in Little Rock for the "These Colors Don't Run" rally of Move America Forward.

It was a great, very efficiently organized and executed patriotic rally. It was reminiscent of yesteryear, when parents taught their children respect for our nation, its flag and military personnel.

Flags were gently blowing in the misty breeze, and the stories of loss of life because of strong commitment to freedom straightened spines and brought tears to the eyes of those of us who understand that freedom is a God-given right that is maintained as a result of responsibility, not a right doled out by government.

The speeches were short and powerful from parents who paid the maximum price for freedom when their sons made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq. In her talk, one patriotic mother, whose son has been extended on his third tour of duty with the U.S. Marines in Iraq, called for the Marine Corps motto, Semper Fidelis (Always faithful), to extend beyond the ranks of the Corps into our hearts as support for our troops. Mrs. Johns called for faithfulness of action from our elected officials as she reminded them and the crowd that we, the people, can elect them out of office if they are not faithful to discharge their duties in accordance with and in support of America's Constitution.

This was a great time to join with these great patriots who are traveling across the nation at their own expense, on their own time, in accepting our responsibility of citizenship by, in some small way, supporting their efforts to take a public and noticeable stand in defense of our great American freedom that none of us want to lose. …

My wife and I count it a privilege to have been able to attend this event. It is the sort of thing America needs a lot more of.

That letter means so much to me. It means more than the television news helicopters that have followed our caravan, more than the police escorts we've received, more than the top-story coverage about the caravan that's been broadcast on countless network affiliates across America.

Those words above reflect that we are achieving our mission – to wake America up to stand together – one nation, under God, indivisible.

In the war on terrorism, our troops are doing good work that is keeping America safe. They deserve our unqualified support and respect, and for the past seven days Americans have given them just that.

Now, let's keep it up for seven days a week until our troops have successfully completed their missions and can be welcomed home as heroes by a grateful nation.