President George W. Bush acknowledged Cindy Sheehan and said on Thursday he sympathized with the mother who lost her son in Iraq. Sheehan has been camped out in an anti-war vigil near the Texas ranch where the president is staying in August and has accused the president of "killing (her) son," and has demanded that the US pull military troops from Iraq.

On Thursday, President Bush replied.

"I grieve for every death," Mr. Bush said. "It breaks my heart to think about a family weeping over the loss of a loved one. I understand the anguish that some feel about the death that takes place."

But, he then added the obvious, "Pulling the troops out would send a terrible signal to the enemy."

Family pleads with Sheehan to stop

Matt Drudge received a letter from other family members that denounced the vigil and asked Sheehan to stop denigrating the memory of her son, Casey Austin Sheehan. Casey was an Army specialist and was killed in combat in Baghdad in April 2004.

The following email was received by the DRUDGE REPORT from Casey's aunt and godmother:

Our family has been so distressed by the recent activities of Cindy we are breaking our silence and we have collectively written a statement for release. Feel free to distribute it as you wish.

Thanks.

D.Cherie

In response to questions regarding the Cindy Sheehan/Crawford Texas issue: Sheehan Family Statement:

The Sheehan Family lost our beloved Casey in the Iraq War and we have been silently, respectfully grieving. We do not agree with the political motivations and publicity tactics of Cindy Sheehan. She now appears to be promoting her own personal agenda and notoriety at the the expense of her son's good name and reputation. The rest of the Sheehan Family supports the troops, our country, and our President, silently, with prayer and respect.

Sincerely,

Casey Sheehan's grandparents, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins.

That'sa great move by these family members and shows a lot of class.