JAX Rally scrapbook

yesterday | me

[SpookBrat]

These are pictures from the rally yesterday in Jacksonville, FL. I've been working on them for 5 hours now and I'm really tired, so forgive errors, please. It was a beautiful October day. The crowd of around 53,000 was very joyous even though many of us were there over 6 hours. I didn't hear one cross word between anyone. We all enjoyed the wait, visiting with each other while trying to keep the sun off our head. What was the final count, by the way?

We accidentally by a fluke, got some of the best seats in the stadium. We sat by a concrete wall so it could give us some partial shade and keep us from burning so badly. God bless the man in front of us who brought sunscreen. I didn't bring in a purse and sunscreen wouldn't fit in my pocket.

Our seats turned out to be the entrance so we were able to see everyone up close. They waved at us and smiled. Laura liked our sign which read, “Native Texans for Bush.” She nodded, smiled and waved at us. There is nothing more thrilling or exciting than having our most beautiful, lovely first lady look you straight in the eye, wave and smile at you. Everyone in our section was crying a little; not a dry eye in the bunch. I noticed this morning my legs were still shaking. It was an overwhelming, emotional day but we were never happier. I'll treasure this memory I experienced with my children for the rest of my life.

We were close enough to see the sparkle in Laura’s eyes and the tears in President Bush’s eyes.

Kim Alexis gave a wonderful speech. Everyone in the crowd was saying "Amen," during the whole sermon. I'm going to headquarters tomorrow to work and I hope there will be some way they will know how to contact Kim so I can get a copy of her speech.

Todd Beamer's parents (God bless him) were there to lend their support to President Bush. Mr. Beamer said the F in John F. Kerry stands for "fundamentally flawed". I liked that. John "Fundamentally Flawed" Kerry! LOL

As you can see, I was very good at getting the back side of a lot of people. They don’t stand still and walk too fast for my slow camera.

I hope you enjoy.

I thought his shirt was funny.

We got there early and picked this seat out for the little bit of shade it gave us.

This guy, God love him, brought the house down whenever he held up his sign. The crowd around him went nuts

This was a nice vet who sat in front of us.

You can do all kinds of creative things with your sign at a rally. They kept us cool.

This was the wonderful lady who sat behind me. She was incredible. She's from Gainsville so if anyone knows her, tell her to call me so I can give her some pictures. Her button on her shirt reads "Democrat Party, Poverty Pimps". She was a God send and a real joy to sit with.

Kim Alexis and her husband Ron Duguay.

Todd Beamer's parents...

Air Force 1 coming in

Directly over us. My daughter took this picture

George and Laura getting off the plane at the airport

My son is getting tired. Thundersticks make great pillows for sleepy children

Our signs were great "umbrellas". That's my daughter behind her sign and that's my son asleep underneath his. :)

This is the best I could get of Jeb and Mel Martinez. The policman guarding the wall wouldn't let me lean too far for a better shot

A nice picture of the back of Sean's head.

Hannity signing autographs for kids. I didn't take this picture. The girl at the photoshop today had an extra of this so I bought it for .17.

Karen Hughes, who doesn't stand still. She's a very busy woman.

Our good buddy Karl

A picture of the screen with Mel Martinez, Governor Bush and President Bush.

President Bush turning around to wave.

A good picture of the crowd

Another crowd picture

I liked this sign, "Get-ir-done Bush".

You can't see it very well, but look above the head of the little girl with the purple shirt on. Jeb, Laura and Orrin are sitting there.

Bush during his speech

I liked this picture of Laura

You can't see it very well, but in this picture, our President is emotional. I hope Jacksonville touched his heart

Again, the policeman wouldn't let me get too close for a better picture. I only got the arm in this photo and couldn't bear to delete it. It's President Bush's arm!!

What a great photo of the back of George, Jeb and Laura. Grrrr... The sweet girl in front of us got a wonderful, close picture of Bush and she will email me later. I hope to hear from her soon.

They opened the gates so 50,000+ Bush supporters could descend on the 12 Kerry supporters.

I tried for hours to get a good picture of these woman's funny sign. She's down in the bottom left corner. It says, "My President is Botox Free."

This poor peace bus was parked in the parking lot. It got in a fight with a bunch of Bush bumper stickers. The names have been changed to protect the innocent

[ClintonBeGone]

Todd Beamer's parents (God bless him) were there to lend their support to President Bush. Mr. Beamer said the F in John F. Kerry stands for "fundamentally flawed". I liked that. John "Fundamentally Flawed" Kerry! LOL

Where is Lisa Beamer coming down in this election?

[SittinYonder]

Great pics! Thanks! I love the "Iraq War Veterans for Bush" pic! The MSM plays up any grumbling coming from our soldiers over there so much that you think they're all voting for Kerry. Yet when I actually talk to soldiers on leave, they support the President and believe in the mission.

It's getting so you can't even trust the mainstream media to tell the story straight anymore
(/s)
:-)

[SpookBrat]

I'm so tired my fingers can't type any more. Ping anyone you know how might like to see some picture from yesterday.

I'm looking forward to pictures from the Michigan rally.

Chieftain, do you have a Jacksonville ping list?

[Always Right]

This isn't about the colts game....

[Enterprise]

Awsome crowd and some very good pictures.

[musicman]

Great pics and report!!! BTTT !!

[lahargis]

Wow! Really incredible pictures! Loved them!

[SpookBrat]

Gosh, I haven't a clue. I hope she's with President Bush. I know Todd's parents are. They gave a very moving speech.

[SpookBrat]

Wow! Congratulations! We're so happy to have you. I remember my first night at FR. I lurked for about 2 years before I finally got the courage to register. Everyone around here is so smart, it's a little intimidating. If you need anything, let me know. I have a wonderful group of friends here and they love new people.

Blessings.

[SpookBrat]

When he held up his sign, everyone went crazy. I'm getting goose bumps typing about it now. He was GREAT and we were all so proud and thankful to him.

[SittinYonder]

I hope he tells his buddies about the support he got from the crowd. My wife sends care packages regularly to Iraq, and we get letters back from time to time telling us how much it means to them to know we're thinking of them, praying for them and supporting them and their mission. It's gotta be hard when they read newspapers and see CNN.

[SpookBrat]

Thanks for the bump. I'm glad you liked the pictures.

It took me 24 hours to come down off my rally high and now I feel like I'm going to throw up, so I'm off to bed.

Blessings to you!

[Brad’s Gramma]

Spookie....you did a GREAT job!!!!! THANKS SO MUCH!!!

Hey y'all....check out Jacksonville!!!

[Brad’s Gramma]

Here!

[SpookBrat]

Awww, yes...thanks for pinging Texas Cowboy. He would have loved our sign and been so proud of us. LOL

Honest to God, I'm going to bed now. Ugh!

[baseballmom]

Wow Spookie, what a great job of posting these pix. Thank you, thank you. A fantastic rally for our W.

Pray for W and our awesome troops.

[SpookBrat]

AMEN! AMEN! Prayers always!

Blessings to you.

[SAMWolf]

Cool. Great report. Looks like you had a grand old time. :-)