Veterans for Freedom Vets for Freedom Offers Free DC Trips to Pro-war Lobbyists Source: Modesto Bee, April 5, 2008 The pro-war lobby is heading to Washington and the halls of Congress Tuesday, April 8, when General David Petraeus testifies on the continuing war in Iraq. The Modesto Bee reports that the Republican front group called Vets for Freedom, "in an extraordinary move suggestive of fairly deep pockets ... will pay all travel, lodging and food expenses" for any recent veteran wanting to lobby with them in DC. The offer attracted Zak Applequist, a local soldier. "He's never been to Washington; until now, he hasn't even been particularly involved in politics. ... 'I heard about it through my mom,' Applequist said, 'and she heard about it through Fox News.'" From PR Watch Their mission statement: Vets for Freedom is a nonpartisan organization established by combat veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our mission is to educate the American public about the importance of achieving success in these conflicts by applying our first-hand knowledge to issues of American strategy and tactics in Iraq. We support policymakers from both sides of the aisle who have stood behind our great generation of American warriors on the battlefield, and who have put long-term national security before short-term partisan political gain. Vets for Freedom is the largest Iraq and Afghanistan veterans organization in America. @@@@@@@@@ is a new lobbying group (well, relatively new) promoting the continued war in Iraq.