In a stunning and historic trip under the utmost secrecy, a delegation of families of fallen U.S. troops have traveled to Iraq to counter critics of the war effort, just days before the Nov. 7 midterm elections.

They’ve come to Iraq from cities throughout America as part of a 12-person delegation in a history-making effort – no other coordinated group of “Gold Star Families” has ever traveled to Iraq, and they come with a message that is sure to ignite a firestorm of debate.

“The American people are shown a skewed picture of the situation in Iraq day after day by the international news media.  We felt it was time to allow the families of U.S. troops who died in Iraq to come see the progress being made in Iraq and report it back to the American ,” said Melanie Morgan, Chairman of Move America Forward.

In an emotional message recorded by Gold Star Father John Holley, Mr. Holley broke down in tears when he explained:

“I’m here because I want to visit with the troops and let them know that it’s OK… it’s OK when they lose a friend… and to give ‘em a hug… and still let them know that we care about them, and that we support them 100%”