"On Jan. 20, 2009, when Senator Obama becomes the next president of the United States, it will be the second anniversary of my son's death," said Kathleen Snyder. "The only way I can make any sense of this death, to make any good [come] from this death, is to make sure Senator Obama is our next president."

Snyder's son, Capt. Brian Freeman, was a 1999 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in reserve status when he was called back to active duty. He left behind his wife and two children, the youngest just several weeks old.

She said he thought the war was a mistake, but he went because "he had an obligation to his country by attending West Point and he would honor it.

He did say that if he had to go to Iraq, he was going to go do the best job he could and he did a "damn good job."

On Jan. 20, 2007, Freeman was one of several soldiers kidnapped, tortured and executed in Karbala, Iraq.

After her son was called up, Snyder started getting involved in local politics, and now is the secretary of the Cache County Democratic Party and a national delegate.

She said she is also committed to making sure her grandchildren grow up to understand that "war is not the solution."

"They're going to grow up without their father and that's probably my life's mission with them, to make sure they grow up to be a strong, responsible man and woman," said Snyder speaking at an event organized by the Progressive Democrats of America in a Presbyterian church.

Behind her, banners hung that read "Diplomacy Not Warfare; Don't Attack Iran," and "Investigations. Accountability. IMPEACHMENT is on OUR table!"

"Can we end this war soon?" asked Rep. Lynn Woolsey, who represents a portion of the San Francisco area. "If we have a president with a heart and a brain, yes."

Col. Ann Wright, who resigned in protest of the war, said the conflict is jeopardizing U.S. security, and the soldiers should be brought home and taken care of.

Wright said Obama doesn't go far enough, and she would like to see troops brought home quicker than he has proposed and opposes an expansion of the active military.