. I have both neutrals attached to the neutral bar and the black wire is connected to the circuit breaker.

The GFCI works by measuring the electricity going and coming back. If you don't run the neutral through the GFCI it won't work.

thank you hendricus for the quick response.
I think I am covered there. one of the neutrals is the circuit wire that runs with the black wire to the receptacles. the other neutral is the white curly wire coming from the GFCI unit.

What hendricus tried to say was that the neutral that runs with the black wire to the receptacles does NOT go to the neutral bar. It goes to a terminal on the GFCI breaker.
If you actually have that correct, one other possibility is that this neutral is also the neutral for another branch circuit (i.e., of the other polarity).

Angie_DIY

BINGO !
Thank you Angie DIY that did the trick.
hendricus and Angie DIY you saved the day for me.

This forum is AWESOME!
THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR BEING OUT THERE.

Glad to be able to help (for a change!).