Gold Star Fathers to Demonstrate for End of Iraq War at Bloomberg Forum

Two Oklahoma Fathers who have lost their sons in the Iraq war are leading a demonstration on Monday,
January 7th, during the Bloomberg Bipartisan Forum taking place on the OU Campus.  Warren Henthorn, of
Choctaw, OK, along with John Scripsick, of Wayne, OK, are both determined to remind the country's elected
officials that the majority of Americans want the war to end and the troops to come home now.  Henthorn and
Scripsick with gather at 10 am with others, on the east side of Elm Street, across from the Catlett Music Center
where the Bloomberg event is scheduled to begin at 11 am.

Warren Henthorn, whose son Army Spc. Jeffrey Henthorn was killed in Iraq in 2005, said there is no end in sight
for the war. Though some were surprised when he first started speaking out,  Henthorn said more people have
moved to his side as the war continues.  "The main purpose of speaking out is to stop the war to spare other
families from going through what mine has,” he said.

John Scripsick, who’s son Bryan was killed in Iraq on September 6, 2007, said he believes that the death and
destruction caused by the war in Iraq is only winning more hostility and hatred against the United States.  "Bryan
had his doubts about the mission of the war, but he went to Iraq out of loyalty to his buddies, "Scripsick said. "We
must end this thing and bring our troops home immediately.”

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg will join a dozen leading Democrats and Republicans at the OU campus
event "challenging the major-party contenders to spell out their plans for forming a 'government of national unity'
to end the gridlock in Washington," according to the Washington Post.

Warren Henthorn and John Scripsick  praise veterans of all wars for their service, but they believe the Iraq war
should never have happened and it is past time to end the United States’ participation.

Director of the Oklahoma City Peace House Nathaniel Batchelder said he believes the war is a much more
important issue in the presidential race than many people think.  "Moved by the overwhelming tragedy of the
deaths of their sons, these two Gold Star dads are bravely expressing the sentiments of millions of Americans
who want the Iraq debacle to end."  He said one purpose of the demonstration is to challenge participants in the
Bloomberg Forum to announce support for an immediate exit strategy.  
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Gold Star Fathers to Demonstrate for End of Iraq War at Bloomberg Forum