Pro-Bush Demonstrators Counter Sheehan

Demonstrators backing President Bush's war on terrorism traveled to Crawford, Texas, on Friday and Saturday - as the media continued to focus on Gold Star mother Cindy Sheehan's anti-war protest outside Bush's ranch.

Led by syndicated radio host and NewsMax contributor Mike Gallagher, more than 100 pro-Bush demonstrators arrived on Friday, as part of what Gallagher called a "pro-America bus trip."

"We're here to support all our troops and all the men and women who died, including [Sheehan's] son. She has the right to believe the way she believes, but we do, too, and that's why we're here."

On Saturday, reinforcements arrived in the form of "The Heart of Texas" Chapter of FreeRepublic.com, which staged a support-the-troops rally that drew 250 people, according to WCBS Newsradio 880.

Rally organizer Kristinn Taylor also stressed that the protest was not an attack on Sheehan.

"It's about supporting the troops, the president and the war on terrorists," he told NewsMax.

"The Heart of Texas Chapter of FreeRepublic.com is comprised of patriotic Americans, many of whom are veterans or have family members that are serving, or have served in the military," the group said in a press release.

Among those attending the pro-Bush rally was Thomas Zapp, of Richmond, Texas, whose 20-year-old son, Marine Lance Cpl. T.J. Zapp, was killed by a bomb in Iraq on Nov. 8, 2004.

Zapp said that it was unfair for Sheehan to demand a second meeting with the president when many parents of slain GIs, like himself, have not even had a single meeting.

"I have not met with President Bush," he told the Tribune-Herald. "Why should she get to meet with President Bush again?"

"I firmly believe our president is sincere with what we have to do and I believe that he's under enormous pressure and he's doing the best he can. I'm here to support him," Zapp added.