Capitol building at dawn upon arriving in town
Posted on 09/21/2005 6:58:56 PM PDT by ajolympian2004
Report from the Cheyenne, Wyoming rally this morning during the bus tour stop at the state Capitol.
===
I started my drive from Boulder to Cheyenne at 5:00am arriving at about 6:30am.
===
Capitol building at dawn upon arriving in town
The only person who had arrived before me was Don Edmonds, the father of a fallen Army Ranger.
===
Proud father Don Edmunds holding a picture of his son and American hero, fallen Army Ranger Jonn Edmunds, in action 10/19/01, Afghanistan.
While talking to Mr. Edmunds I discovered that he had arrived much earlier than I to raise the flag of his son's unit at one of the empty flag poles. He has also dedicated himself to building a memorial in Cheyenne to honor his son and other area fallen heroes. He had the plans and drawings with him, a book of all the letters (hundreds) communicating with local, state, national and international officials and many replies. He even had a letter that was a reply back from someone of the government in Iraq. What he is really hoping for is someone to volunteer their services to get all of this up on a website so the folks he's working with can view everything on-line to move the process along more efficiently.
===
Wyoming American Legion Post 6 members
===
Support Our Troops bus arrives at the Capitol
===
Northern California Marine Corp Mom and Dave Chapin of WGAB 650am speak to the folks who gathered
About 30 people showed up. A few who had brought their school kids before class had to leave early. With the days of promotion by Dave Chapin since last week I was surprised it wasn't quite a number more than that. Finalizing the tour stop details just a day in advance had an impact on the turnout. The American Legion folks mentioned that if they even had just one more day they could have had a significant turnout from their members alone, plus a full color guard with flags and all.
===
View of the gathering from the top of the Capitol steps
===
Goldstar dad Joe Williams speaks to the crowd.
Mr. Williams lost his son in Iraq and he joined the bus tour in Vacaville to speak out in support of our troops and their mission.
===
Chris and Bob Wolf, parents of fallen soldier and son James, in action 11/6/03 south of Mosul.
===
After the rally Deborah Johns and yours truly, ajolympian2004
Deborah Johns is very well spoken and does an excellent job of talking about our outstanding men and women of the USA military.
===
Deborah Johns being interviewed by the media after the rally
CBS channel 5 of Cheyenne and NBC channel 13 of Casper showed up to cover the rally.
===
Shawn Callahan and Sal Russo of Move America Forward hold up a banner signed by folks at the rally
All the banners signed by folks during the bus tour stops will be on display during the main rally this coming Sunday Sept. 25th and then sent to units in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Sal Russo had some interesting stories about Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan. Could have listened to him talk about politics all day.
===
Quick look inside the Support Our Troops bus
There are a series of bunks on either side of the bus near the back that are very similar to what you will find on one of our Navy ships. Very tight quarters.
The bus does have access to satellite TV (Fox News) and internet communications. Deborah, Joe and company are traveling in style, which they both deserve.
===
Official website for the latest information on three days of rallies in Washington, DC (main event Sunday Sept. 25th): http://www.supportthetroopsweekend.org/
***
Watch for my next report from the Capitol building in Denver CO later in the afternoon from earlier today. The only FReeper I met (know of) today was 'jan in colorado' who was at the Devner rally.
Just wait until you see the sign I had created at Fedex Kinko on very short order. It was given to the Move America Forward folks to use as a placard for the podium for the remainder of the bus tour. (in my Denver rally report)... ah... you can wait. ;)
Ping
Big Bump!
Thanks for the pics and report!
Thanks for the after-action report and photos of the stop in Cheyenne, Wyoming. I'll check back to read your next report.
Thanks again for being there and sharing the experience. FReep On!
My heart aches for these wonderful people who've lost loved ones in Iraq. I thank God they've found the strength to offer their support to our troops, and pray for them.
Great pictures! I'm so glad you were able to go. I can't wait to see the Denver report!
Bump - what's the olympian for?
Ditto.
That was the most challenging part of participating in both rallies today. What do you say to someone who lost a loved one? I listen, listen and listen to what they have to say after offering sincere condolences for their loss.
The mother and father of their fallen son who I met in Cheyenne still appeared to be devastated. Understandable...
And why we must do whatever necessary to make sure the outstanding men and women serving honorably around the world know that we do support them and their mission regardless of the what the blame America hate President Bush media has to say.
I have a feeling that might make it into the Denver Post tomorrow. I was wearing my Bolder Boulder 10K race shirt from 2004 and the Post reporter (who also lives in Boulder) started asking me about running.
If I get the opportunity to compete on the track in Beijing the victory lap after winning the final at my distance will include proudly holding the American flag and the 'banned' flag of Taiwan. :)
That's all I have to say about that. /Forrest Gump mode off>
I just got home from church and several people there said they saw us on the news this evening.It looks like in spite of hurricane Rita, we still got some TV coverage.
So, do you want to report on the Denver rally first?
I just got home from church and several people there said they saw us on the news this evening.It looks like in spite of hurricane Rita, we still got some TV coverage.
So, do you want to report on the Denver rally first?
Please go ahead and post when ready. Other folks here will get to enjoy two perspectives on the Denver rally.
Yeah, I saw myself on KCNC News 4, and you with the group of women wearing the awesome light blue t-shirts.
And my top 'secret' poster that I've yet to post here at FR. ( I'll post that picture first... ;) )
On KMGH channel 7 they showed the bus pulling up and that's it.
What media coverage are you aware of beside that, if any?
I'm going to post my report from Denver Thursday morning. Too tired right now, plus I have to get on the email trail for Rockford, IL and Chicago, IL as those bus tour stops are now officially posted.
"What do you say to someone who lost a loved one?"
In this situation, you can tell them we all grieve with them, honor their loved one, and will never, ever be able to repay the debt we owe them or to adequately thank them for their sacrifices to protect us and our freedoms.
The reason I ask is that I have done a lot of work at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for over 25 years.
No one gave me any details other then they "thought" it was me. No one knew I was going to be there (remember,I just learned about it late last night).
I'll try to post a report. Haven't done that before, so... I'll do my best. I'll post pictures and leave the details to you!
OK, I won't post your "top" secret poster.
I'll be watching all main three Denver new channels tonight to see what they show from the rally.
It'll be curious to see what kind of stories the reporters from the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News post in their Thursday editions.
The Denver Post reporter I talked to was right out of college and seemed very reasonable. He might be forced to post a typical leftist Denver Post liberally slanted story or lose his job.
By now it should be obvious to anyone that Cindy Sheehan is a shill for the extreme Left Wing. That Hilliary Clinton is willing to meet with this wack job should disqualify her for consideration to be President. She is a hate America Extremist. This country according to her started killing people from its very begging. It is not worth dying for. Etc Etc. She is allies with Code Pink, International Answer, and others who have given money to the Terrorists in Iraq the very people who killed her Son. Maybe she wanted to kill her Son Casey for disobeying her. Maybe her hatred for the Military and the US is so great she is glad he is dead.
Her anger is misdirected at Bush who to her is a stooge for Halliburton. If anything Bush is a Free Markets and Capitalism idealist who sees in Halliburton a well run company that he admires. Bush is not a Trust fund baby, or Red Diaper baby doper like Kerry, Teddy I the Swimmer Kennedy, or Nancy too much Botox Pelosi aka. (Bug Eyes Pelosi) she could be in a Mystery Science Theater Movie.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.