Nationwide - As the nation awaits confirmation from the Pentagon of the 5,000^th death of a U.S. service member in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, members of Military Families Speak Out are mourning the dead and calling on President Obama to honor the sacrifices of these service members and their families and honor all of those who serve by acting swiftly to end both wars.

Warren Henthorn of Choctaw, OK, the father of Army Spc. Jeffrey Henthorn who died in Iraq on Feb 8, 2005, says:

"Way too many have died on all sides of these wars. If I remember correctly, President Obama won the Democratic nomination based on the promise to end the war in Iraq. But, between Iraq and Afghanistan, at the end of this year we will actually have more troops in harm's way then we did at the height of the 'surge.' That's just as bad as we had it under President Bush. These wars now belong to President Obama. The blood is on his hands."

Henthorn is a member of Gold Star Families Speak Out, a national chapter of Military Families Speak Out whose loved ones died a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Jane Bright of West Hills, CA, the mother of Sgt. Evan Aschraft who was killed at the perimeter of an oil refinery in Iraq on July 24, 2003, is also a member of Gold Star Families Speak Out. She says:

"My son was the 249th U.S. service member killed in Iraq - it's hard to believe that 5,000 of our troops have already died in Iraq and Afghanistan. How many more? We need to bring all our troops home from these wars and we need to take care of our veterans when they return home, giving them the medical and psychological care and treatment they need and deserve."

Maggie Pondolfino, a member of Military Families Speak Out from Portland, OR has been nervously watching the death toll in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan rise as her son awaits a deployment to Afghanistan with the U.S. Army:

"It's been over a year since my only son returned from a 14 month deployment to Iraq. Over a year since I was immobilized with dread at every unexpected knock on my door and every unfamiliar van parked in front of my house. Daily, I obsessively checked the Department of Defense casualty list. Too many times the names were close to home...someone from our state, or even someone from his platoon," says Pondolfino. "I imagined the other mothers' grief and wondered would I be able to endure it? Then I had a year of relative calm. I even celebrated a new administration and momentarily experienced the hope that seemed to engulf the country. "Now as the nation braces for the news of the confirmation of the 5,000th death of a U.S. service member in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the administration that briefly gave me new hope prepares to send my son to another war with no clear mission and no exit strategy. And how do I prepare? How do I prepare for another year of going through the motions of living, while wondering if he will come home? If he does will he have to fight a war within himself? If he does not come home, my darling boy with his loving heart and keen intellect will have died for nothing. I know that no good will come from continuing the occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq, just more heartbreak, sorrow, and tragedy. When will we ever learn?"

Members of Military Families Speak Out and Gold Star Families Speak Out are available for interview.

Military Families Speak Out is a national organization of over 4,000 military families working to bring all U.S. troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan and secure the care that our troops, Veterans, and military families need to recover from the impact of those wars on our lives and the lives of our loved ones. Gold Star Families Speak Out is a national chapter of Military Families Speak Out with over 150 families whose loved ones died a result of the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan.

--30--

In June, Modern Woodmen and Royal Neighbors to honor those who serve

Thank you - two simple words that can make a big impact.

Quad Citians will be asked to write thank-you letters and cards to American troops serving overseas in honor of Flag Day, a patriotic holiday paying tribute to the adoption of the Stars and Stripes in 1777.

Modern Woodmen of America and Royal Neighbors of America, two Rock Island-based businesses, will sponsor the collection during the first two weeks of June. All cards and letters collected will be donated to the Rock Island Arsenal Chapter of Association of the United States Army to distribute to service men and women stationed overseas.

Cards and letters can be dropped off between Monday, June 1 and Sunday, June 14 at Modern Woodmen Bank, 100 17^th Avenue, downtown Rock Island.

A drive-thru drop off will be held at Royal Neighbors of America on Thursday, June 11.

Project details and guidelines:

• All ages can participate in this project - create or purchase thank-you cards to donate to the effort.

• The more positive the message the better!

• You can include your name, address and email address if you desire.

• All letters and/or cards will be screened for security reasons.

• Do not seal envelopes - they must remain open for security.

• Any size cards and letters will be accepted.

• Please do not use glitter or include food items.

Modern Woodmen and Royal Neighbors celebrate Flag Day on June 14 to honor the nation's symbol of freedom. The two Quad-City-based fraternal financial services organizations have long celebrated patriotism and proudly offer fraternal programs that continue this tradition, by donating flags, honoring veterans, and supporting troops and their families.

Founded in 1883, Modern Woodmen of America touches lives and secures futures. The fraternal benefit society offers financial services and fraternal member benefits to individuals and families throughout the United States.

Royal Neighbors of America is a non-profit fraternal membership organization with a 100-plus-year history of helping women and their families. The organization insures lives, supports women, and serves communities by offering insurance and annuity products. Its members also participate in a variety of locally based volunteer opportunities and are eligible to apply for many member benefits such as scholarships and disaster aid.

WHAT: The Main Street Farmers Market-downtown Aledo opens for business June 11th with local growers and producers selling fresh from the farm products such as fruit, vegetables, berries, wines, cheese, flowers, breads, eggs and meats. The Aledo and Illinois Quad Cities Chambers of Commerce will conduct a ribbon cutting for Aledo Main Street and partners to open the Market for business. The Monmouth Dixieland Jazz Band will be taking the stage later that evening to entertain shoppers.

WHEN: Thursday, June 11, 4 to 7 p.m. (note: The Ribbon cutting will be held at 4 p.m.)

WHERE: Central Park parking lot in Aledo, Illinois

WHY: Area residents will enjoy homegrown produce and seasonal crops throughout the summer and fall months. The Main Street Farmers Market not only supports local vendors, but also promotes a healthy lifestyle and connecting with neighbors and new visitors to the Mercer County. It will be open every Thursday, 4 to 7 p.m., from June 11 through October 22 at Central Park (intersection of Highway 17 and College Avenue). Community Days are also featured each week, include the Aledo Fire Department, Friends of the Library, the Aledo Police's K9 Unit, a Curves demonstration, and Chef's Choice that features an area chef with a specialized menu.

The Main Street Farmers Market-downtown Aledo was made possible through funds from the USDA's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program for Illinois Where Fresh Is. Sponsorship dollars were also provided by Aledo Community Schools District #201, Aledo Main Street, Mercer County Health Department, Mercer County Farm Bureau, and University of Illinois Extension/Mercer EDP Office.

Participating advertising merchants are MGM Graphics, East Moline; Radish Magazine, Rock Island; The Times Record, Aledo; Torrey Outdoor Advertising of East Moline and WRMJ Country 102.3, Aledo.

Interested vendors and sponsors of community days should contact Pam Myers at Aledo Main Street, (309) 582-2751, or email aledoms@qconline.com. Application and rules may also be downloaded from the website www.aledomainstreet.com.