The Helena wife of a U.S. soldier has joined a growing vigil outside the presidential ranch in Crawford, Texas, where she vows to remain until the end of the month, or until President Bush meets face to face with protesters.

Tammara Rosenleaf left Helena for Texas to visit her husband, Army Spc. Sean Hefflin, at a military base there before joining the vigil near the president's ranch.

"Bush has asked our husbands and wives, our sons and daughters, to go and die for his war," Rosenleaf said. "We're here to hold Bush's feet to the fire until he gives us some honest answers. He's given us the reasons why we're at war, but they've turned out to be untruths."

The vigil began Saturday when Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a fallen soldier, pitched camp outside the president's ranch, saying she hoped to speak to the president and vowed to stay until his vacation ends later this month.

Others have joined Sheehan over the past few days, including Rosenleaf, who also said she would remain in Texas until Bush "tells the truth," or ends his vacation.

"We think the president owes it to the people of the United States to tell the truth," Rosenleaf said. "If he would just acknowledge the reasons why we're at war — that would be fine. He owes it to us."

However, not everyone agrees with Rosenleaf's position.

Janette Walsh, the wife of Lt. Col. John Walsh — commanding officer of Montana's 163rd Infantry Battalion — said that while she respects the protesters' right to criticize the war, she prefers to focus on the conflict's greater good.

Her own husband left Helena with more than 700 Montana soldiers in July 2004. The outfit has seen its share of action in northern Iraq.

"I feel like my husband's job is to protect our country and the freedoms we have, including the freedom of speech," Walsh said. "My husband goes out every single day on patrol, and they feel like they're making a difference. They see the positive in what they're doing every day."

Walsh believes Bush acted on the best information available when he launched a pre-emptive strike against Iraq and its alleged weapons of mass destruction. She recalled Iraq before the war — a nation trapped under the tyranny of a dictator.

The changes that have taken place make it easier for Walsh to support the ongoing mission overseas. The news she sees on the television, she said, doesn't reflect the positive news coming from her husband and his fellow soldiers.

"They're over there training the Iraqi army, helping find insurgents, and building an infrastructure," Walsh said. "They're helping inoculate children and rebuild schools. I believe in them, and I totally support the mission they're on."

But Walsh said she also understands the cost of the war and the pain felt by grieving mothers like Sheehan, whose 24-year-old son was killed in battle near Sadr City.

"I can't criticize a woman who has lost a child," Walsh said of Sheehan. "My heart just breaks whenever I hear on the news that a soldier has been killed."

Rosenleaf said the Texas rally includes members of Military Families Speak Out and Gold Star Families for Peace.

The president's reaction to the vigil was the top story Thursday on such Web pages as the Washington Post and the Dallas Morning News.

"I've been involved in peace events before, but not like this particular one," Rosenleaf said. "It's not a movement made up of different interests. Everyone here has one thing in common."

Rosenleaf said two presidential aides, identified by The Associated Press as National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley and a deputy white house chief of staff, stopped at the camp to speak to Sheehan a few days ago.

However, the AP reported, Sheehan called the meeting "pointless."

Rosenleaf said she has come to know Sheehan well at the camp.

"She's a dynamic woman—she's a woman on a mission," Rosenleaf said of Sheehan. "It's not just about being in grief over her son. She's really on a mission to bring these troops home."

Reporter Martin Kidston can be reached at 447-4086, or at mkidston@helenair.com