Several months ago, a United States General sat before a senate committee answering questions. He inadvertently addressed the Senator from California as, "Ma'am", instead of Senator. The entire nation watched as this American Hero was reprimanded by this woman. She said, "I would appreciate you calling me Senator. I have worked hard for that title." The General respectfully apologized and proceeded to address her as Senator, even after she had disrespected him.

That memory will forever be burned in my mind. Here is a man who proudly wears this nation's uniform and stands ready to defend our country, being chastised before the nation for not using this Senator's "earned" title. If it were not for the sacrifice of warriors like him, she would not be able to freely speak, let alone "earn" a title. This arrogance and disrespect for our military and their families horrifies me!

On September 3, 2009, the Texas 11th district Congressman held a Town Hall meeting in Brownwood, Texas. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to publicly address him. Our son had just returned from Iraq and will in all likelihood be going to Afghanistan in the near future. The main topic to be addressed was healthcare. However, it seemed to me that EVERY topic should be viewed against the backdrop of what so many in our country have fought valiantly to defend - FREEDOM. It's not Healthcare Reform - it's freedom. It's not the second amendment - it's freedom. It's not Cap and Trade legislation or the tenth amendment - it's freedom!

My emotions were high that night. The mother of one of our local hero's had come into my business that week. Craig was killed in Iraq on November 25, 2006. The events surrounding his death would drive the toughest of us to tears. His story stirred my soul as I relived again the horror with his mother.

My heart pounded as I stood tall, eager to meet the Congressman before the meeting. As I met him in the hall, I said, "Congressman, our son just returned from Iraq and will in all likelihood be going to Afghanistan later this year. May I be so bold as to ask that you honor me and allow me to be the first to speak?" He quickly said something to the effect, "You can get in line to speak and if there is not enough time, you can talk to me afterwards." I said, "I really want to address you publicly." He brushed by into the auditorium. I was shocked, but would not be deterred. The words in my soul could not be contained. They had to be heard.

I positioned myself next to one of the microphones. I had to be first. Rest assured, it is not because I am special. I AM NOT. Rather, it is because those who stand behind the words are special. They are the ones, including my son, who have EARNED the right to speak FIRST and be HEARD. I asked to speak first on my son's behalf and on Craig's behalf. This would set the tone for the evening's healthcare "discussion."

I had succeeded. I was going to be first. I began by speaking the name of Craig, our local fallen hero. As I was speaking, the monitor began to impatiently hurry my words. There were a few heckles: "Healthcare!" from the back, "Congressman!" from the side. I had purposefully addressed him as Representative, because I wanted the message that he represented us to come through loud and clear. I was instantly rattled, but my heart demanded that I continue. These words had to be heard!

I continued, “ As my son and others sleep on foreign enemy ground, will you defend them and us in the comfort of your home? Will you stand against those who would mock and despise the blood that has been shed on their behalf? Will you stand against those who sleep in our midst who would distort and rewrite the Constitution that our sons, our fathers, our mothers, and our daughters have bled and shed tears to preserve? Will you defend us against those who would stand on our backs to boost their power? Will you defend us against those who would steal from our tables to fill their own bloated bellies? Every time you take a vote, will you remember all the Craigs and their mothers? Will you remember? Will you defend the Constitution as it is written, not how it is being remade? We and ours defend you. Will you and yours defend us?”

The Congressman walked toward me, taking the statement from my hand. I so desperately wanted to finish my words. I was horrified and humiliated as I slipped back to my seat. I felt demeaned, and I agonized as I desperately wanted to finish, no matter how disjointed and poorly my words were being delivered. These are the words of so many of our warriors and their families. Day after day, they respectfully stand and salute while 'bleeding' inside. Who will hear? Who will speak for them? They are fighting and dying and their blood is being disrespectfully squandered in the corridors of the White House and Congress.

I yearned to finish these last words but was not allowed. “As a Marine’s mom whose only son is currently serving and defending every Representative’s right to speak, I ask you on my behalf to present these questions to every representative, whether Democrat or Republican. I am asking them to respectfully answer me.”

“Remember all the Craigs. They have fought and died to make us free! They fight and die to keep us free!”

I will be the first to admit that, mechanically, I did a very poor job. There may have been a more appropriate forum, but I don't know where that is. If I had known, I would have been there long ago. I am but one Mom in a small Central Texas town. This seemed to be the only opportunity to be seen and heard. I haphazardly lunged toward the opportunity.

My lone voice to Congress is but an 'irritating gnat' to legislators who make decisions affecting our warriors' lives. Since September 3rd, it has become an unrelenting goal of mine to join with others of like mind in this daunting pursuit. We cannot afford to remain silent ever again. Perhaps in numbers, our elected public servants will be forced to let us speak and be HEARD! We must assemble together, our individual voices becoming one. Our expressed concerns will then possess teeth, being heard as the ROAR of a MIGHTY LION!

This is where the vision of Protect Our Warriors (P.O.W.) began. Where our elected officials fail, WE MUST NOT! We must band together to Protect Our Warriors and all they have fought and sacrificed to preserve - OUR FREEDOM, OUR FREEDOM, OUR FREEDOM!

There is HOPE. With God beside us, we will succeed! Read HOW and become a P.O.W. beside me.

Vicky Biessener