Pro-Bush Military Family a Counterpoint to Sheehan

Aug. 25, 2005 — -- Tammy Pruett and her family know something about the war in Iraq. Tammy's husband, Leon, and son Eren just returned from the war. Four other sons -- Eric, Evan, Greg and Jeff -- are still there.

The Pruetts, of Pocatello, Idaho, like many other military families, are being drawn into the public debate over the war in Iraq, due in part to the protest of Cindy Sheehan.

Sheehan -- whose 24-year-old son, Casey, was killed in Iraq last year -- began an anti-war vigil outside President Bush's Texas ranch on Aug. 6, demanding to meet with him. More than 100 of her supporters demonstrate at "Camp Casey" daily, and other anti-war activists have dogged Bush at his recent stops in Utah and Idaho.

But unlike Sheehan, the Pruetts are very much in support of the war. "It's right there in my heart how proud my boys are to be there," Tammy Pruett told ABC News. "They signed the line to serve their country and our commander in chief."

In a speech to Idaho National Guard families on Wednesday, Bush singled out Tammy Pruett as a clear counterpoint to Sheehan, though he never mentioned Sheehan by name.

Bush told the crowd: "Tammy says this -- and I want you to hear this -- 'I know that if something happens to one of the boys, they would leave this world doing what they believe, what they think is right for our country. And I guess you couldn't ask for a better way of life than giving it for something that you believe in.' America lives in freedom because of families like the Pruetts."

Risk Worth It, Family Says

The Pruetts say they feel for Sheehan but don't agree with her public stand against the war.

Amber Pruett, who is Evan's wife, said that protesting the war is disrespectful to the country and the soldiers who choose to serve in the military.

"It's not very patriotic," said Amber, who has a 6-month-old daughter with Evan. "I think they're being disrespectful to our country."

Tammy and Leon Pruett say that their sons are fighting in Iraq so that people like Sheehan have the right to protest.

"We don't agree with them but that's why my kids are putting their lives on the line," Tammy said.

In his speech in Idaho on Wednesday, Bush reiterated that he would stay the course in Iraq despite flagging public support for the war. For months, polls have shown that a majority of Americans believe the war is a mistake that has not made the country safer.

But at the same time, only 13 percent of Americans want an immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops, according to the latest ABC News poll.

"An immediate withdrawal of our troops in Iraq or the broader Middle East, as some have called for, would only embolden the terrorists and create a staging ground to launch more attacks against America and free nations," Bush said Wednesday.

For the Pruetts, the case for war in Iraq is a clear one.

"Our boys have told us time and time again how appreciative the Iraqi people are," Tammy said. "Our country is based on freedom and other people around the world deserve freedom."

And Leon Pruett, who also served in Iraq, said that for him the war is "absolutely" worth it. "If you've seen what I've seen, you'd have a different view," he said.