Patriot Project - Group to defend Veterans Who Debate US Foreign Policy

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For those concerned about the smearing of vets who are running as Dems or for any vet accused for speaking against Bush's policies.


Non-Profit Advocacy Group to Defend Veterans Who Debate U.S. Foreign Policy

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The Patriot Project, a 501(c)(4) non-
profit advocacy group dedicated to defending veterans and veterans' families
who are attacked for their views on foreign policy, announced its formation
today in Washington, D.C.

The Patriot Project, http://www.patriotproject.com, will employ research,
public education, media outreach and a rapid response mechanism to expose the
organizations attacking the patriotism of veterans and their families who
challenge U.S. foreign policy.

In 2004, $40 million was spent by independent expenditure committees to
attack U.S. Senator John Kerry's patriotism. Kerry's commitment to his
country and service in Vietnam were questioned by these groups because he
chose to challenge U.S. policy in Vietnam when he returned from military
service in that country, and now, to question U.S. policy in Iraq. Recently,
U.S. Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) came under a similar orchestrated attack when he
advocated the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, with conservative groups
challenging his service and decorations in Vietnam. The families of fallen
soldiers in Iraq who have questioned the course of the war have also borne the
brunt of these coordinated attacks.

"The Patriot Project is dedicated to defending and supporting the right of
veterans and veterans' families, true patriots, to question the policies and
actions of their government, particularly with regard to armed conflict," said
Judith Droz Keyes, President of the Patriot Project's Board of Directors. "In
a democracy, citizens have a right, even a duty, to speak out when they
believe their government is wrong in policy or action. Veterans and their
families have more than earned that right."

Through seminars, conferences, media education, collaboration with other
content providers and outreach to policy makers, The Patriot Project will
provide research, content, testimony and expertise to assure accuracy and
honesty in the depiction of the experience and activism of veterans and their
families.

"We simply cannot remain silent while men and women who have served
proudly and honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States of America, and
their families, are attacked as unpatriotic for expressing their views on U.S.
foreign policy," said Christopher Ream, Vice President and Secretary of the
Board of Directors. "The Patriot Project will aggressively confront those who
misrepresent the combat experience of veterans or the activism of veterans and
their families." We expect this attack apparatus is preparing to repeat their
coordinated assaults against those who dare to question the war in Iraq or the
Administration's method of pursuing it, and we will not tolerate their lies
and unscrupulous methods."

The Patriot Project's Board of Directors includes:

Judith Droz Keyes -- President
Judith Droz Keyes is a partner in the international law firm of Morrison
& Foerster LLP, and has practiced labor and employment law in California
for more than 30 years. Keyes' husband, Lt. Donald Droz, a U.S. Naval
Academy graduate and Swift Boat Skipper (PCF-43), earned the Bronze Star
for action in the Mekong Delta before he was killed in action in April
1969. Keyes became a spokesperson for the anti-war effort. Keyes'
daughter, Tracy Droz Tragos, produced and directed the 2004 Emmy-award
winning documentary film "Be Good, Smile Pretty," about her father and
his death in Vietnam and the journey of his daughter to know him and to
understand that war and that time.

Christopher Ream -- Vice President and Secretary
Christopher Ream has practiced law in California since 1971. Mr. Ream
served in the U.S. Navy for four years (1964 through 1968), rising to the
rank of Lieutenant. He served as Chief Engineering Officer on the USS
Whitfield County (LST-1169) in the Western Pacific, where the ship was
principally engaged in combat landings and resupply in Vietnam. He was
then the Skipper of a Swift Boat on combat patrols in the coastal waters
of Vietnam. Among other decorations, he was awarded the Bronze Star with
Combat V.

David Thorne -- Treasurer
During a thirty year career in small business development David Thorne
successfully founded and operated businesses in publishing, political
consulting, real estate, and investment management services. He recently
sold Body and Soul magazine to Martha Stewart Omnimedia and currently is
a Founder and Director of Adviser Investment Management, Inc, the
nation's leading investment specialists in Vanguard and Fidelity mutual
funds. Mr. Thorne served in the U.S. Navy from 1966 to 1970, completing
service as a Lieutenant. He was stationed aboard the USS Maddox (DD-731)
patrolling the Coast of North Vietnam. He also spent a year in Vietnam
engaged in harbor operations in Danang, Vung Tau, and Saigon. Mr. Thorne
is the co-editor with George Butler of The New Soldier (Macmillan, 1971).

Edward Elliott "Skip" Barker
Edward Elliott "Skip" Barker is an Alabama lawyer, cotton farmer and
Vietnam Navy Veteran. He has practiced law in Alabama since 1972 and
grown cotton since 1995. Barker served in the U.S. Navy from 1966 to
1969, completing active duty as a Lieutenant. In 1968-1969, Barker
served in Vietnam as a Skipper of a Swift Boat, PCF-31, in the lower
Mekong Delta and was awarded the Silver Star for combat action. He then
served on Admiral Elmo Zumwalt's staff in Saigon as Assistant Officer in
Charge of the Naval Forces Vietnam, Small Boat School as part of the
"Vietnamization" program. He retired from the Navy in 1994 with the rank
of Captain.

About the Patriot Project
Organized under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, The
Patriot Project will use research and outreach in public forums where the
issue of "patriotism" is being debated or the patriotism of a veteran or a
veteran's family member is under assault. The Patriot Project can accept
unlimited contributions from individuals, unions and corporations.
Contributions are not tax deductible. Visit us on the web at,
http://www.PatriotProject.com.

[karynnj]

1. Great thing to have in place

So many names from the Kerry campaign. It does look like they learned from 2004 and will help others. (It's interesting that this could have provided a strong defense in August when Kerry was trapped by the campaign laws.)

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2. That's a good point - a strong DNC roster of spokepeople would've been

a great help at that point, too.

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3. Kick for positive developments and fighting back for our Dems.

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