FReep 52 at Walter Reed, April 14 (Heavy graphics, Join us April 21!)

DC Chapter ^ | April 14, 2006 | BillF with photos by PleaDeal

[BillF]

Two Year Background

I'm repeating, with modifications, some of the background from the last two reports, in case there are any newcomers reading this. That is because of the anniversary dates that have occurred.

The one year anniversary of the April 15, 2005 first of our regular Friday FReeps at Walter Reed passed last Saturday.  We will have a commemoration of this anniversary on Friday, April 21, the first FReep following that anniversary date for the Friday FReeps. The commemoration is to honor our troops, especially those wounded and being treated, that we have been proud to support for over a year.

The troops, especially those killed and wounded, have safeguarded us and protected our freedom by their service in Afghanistan, Iraq, and around the world. Although many of us are doing much more to support the troops than the weekly FReeps, and other FReepers are supporting the troops in other ways, we can never repay the debt owed to the troops who guard our freedom.

This was FReep #52 as FReepers have countered the anti-troop hate group Code Pink at their weekly obscene anti-war blood dance outside Walter Reed Army Medical Center for over a year and this FReep occurred more than two years after DC Chapter FReepers first countered leftist anti-troop demonstrators at Walter Reed.

On March 15, 2004, there was a preliminary skirmish, more than a year before the regular dueling protests between FReepers and Pinkos started. The leftists, including many Pinkos, protested at Walter Reed as they traveled in a mock funeral procession from Dover Air Force Base, Delaware to Walter Reed Army Medical Center to the White House. Doctor Raoul solo FReeped Chief Code Pinko Medea Benjamin and her allies at Dover AFB, whereas other DC Chapter members FReeped the leftists at Walter Reed and at the White House per below:

After-Action: DC Chapter FReeps Left for Exploiting War Dead and Wounded (March 15, 2004)

A few hours after the leftists' first blood dance outside Walter Reed, the FReep of leftists at the White House occurred and included a direct FReep of Chief Pinko Medea Benjamin near the White House

More than a year after that skirmish at Walter Reed, the leftists returned to Walter Reed for a week straight in late March of 2005.

We FReeped them on Wednesday, March 30, 2005 per the following link LIVE ACTION REPORT: Code Pink's Gail Murphy sends thugs into peaceful DC Chapter counterprotest.

Then the Pinkos decided to try their psych-op against our war-wounded heroes every Friday at Walter Reed. When we found out, we started counter-protesting them every Friday beginning on April 15, 2005. FReepers have been at Walter Reed peacefully counter-protesting the Pinkos every Friday since then, except that we missed one Friday in May of 2005 due to exigent circumstances.

April 14 and Beyond

On April 14, we had wonderful warm weather for Good Friday as we FReeped on all four corners of the main gate at Walter Reed for the thirteenth week in a row.  (Our control of the four corners followed the Pinkos' retreat as explained in the thread relative to January 20: Code Pink Retreats from Walter Reed-Freepers Win! (Week 40 Report at #1352). )

We had a great turnout of dedicated FReepers from the DC Chapter and beyond considering that many were drawn away by Good Friday services or visits to relatives for the weekend, Easter occurring on Sunday.  We had some very good news about some FReepers and relatives, who are suffering from medical problems. In an incredibly moving moment, a military Chaplin stopped to talk to us. There was heavy police presence and one of the officers questioned us about our event.

The Pinkos continue to be relegated to an area about a block away such that the wounded and their relatives do NOT have to pass close by them to enter or leave Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Indeed, the Pinkos' presence is easy to overlook such that many troops and relatives may not even be aware of the Pinkos.  Since the Pinkos are completely gone from the gate, we usually have many wounded troops join us or stop by to thank us for being there.  Tonight, that didn't happen because many of the walking wounded were away from Walter Reed for the holiday weekend.

We are winning our psych-op against the Pinkos and have almost demolished their heartless psych-op against our war-wounded troops, but we continue to need more FReepers and other patriots to attend. Please join us this Friday, April 21, at 6:30 pm per details below.

Help us commemorate over a year of peacefully opposing the Pinkos evil scheme. Please also bump this thread to keep it on top. Stand up against the Pinkos who've endorsed "the Iraqi resistance" (as they call our enemy, see here and here), given money to the other side in Fallujah, and called our troops "killers."  Then, the Pinkos demonstrate at the hospital and pretend that they support our troops.

Lifting the spirits of our war-wounded heroes is what we aim to do. If you live in the area, please join us. If you really can't join us due to work, family, or medical reasons or you don't live in the area, you can help in other ways by contacting PleaDeal by FReepmail for ideas.

The honor roll of those in attendance (lurkers are marked with an asterisk*):

Albion Wilde, be4everfree, Bill* from NC, BufordP, Cindy-true-supporter, Fraxinus, Jack Deth, Jimmy Valentine s brother, Justanobody, kristinn, PleaDeal, Special Guest* (whose name must be confidential) and his friend*, tgslTakoma, Tom the Redhunter, trooprally (Mr. & Mrs.), and BillF.  (Lurkers marked with an asterisk.)

[CLICK ON A PHOTO TO OPEN A LARGER VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW if it has a border around it. If a photo doesn't have a border, it is not hyperlinked to a larger version.  Click on another hyperlinked photo and its larger version should open in the same window that the first enlarged photo did. Or you can simply close the window with the enlarged photo and click on another photo in the report to open a new window with an enlarged photo. Note that some of the wider photos may open in a window wider than your screen and you can use a horizontal scroll bar to see parts. Photos taken by me and by PleaDeal will be interspersed in the report. My photos were taken early in the FReep before everyone was there and before it got too dark for my camera.

You can see who took a hyperlinked photo (i.e., borders at edge) by running your mouse over it. On other photos, right click on the photo and click properties. The key is this: photos taken by me have a name beginning with "DSCN." I have cropped some of the photos of PleaDeal.]

Opposed to our 18 patriots, the Pinkos assembled 16 America-hating traitors and their dupes. They were outnumbered, yet again, even in the liberal bastion of Washington, DC. It was close. Although we outnumbered the Pinkos, we need you there this Friday to continue outnumbering them.

MOAB, Mother-Of-All-Banners, was deployed on the Northeast corner. The banner can be seen by patients from 8 hospital rooms.

An early photo of the Northwest corner with trooprally (Mr.), be4everfree, and Tom the Redhunter.

With the hospital in the upper right background, PleaDeal, Justanobody (behind signs), be4everfree, and Jimmy Valentine's
brother on the Southwest corner.

be4everfree and kristinn on the Southeast corner.

Albion Wilde prepares to take her banner across the street with Fraxinus behind her and tgslTakoma talking to her

Tom the Redhunter, on the Northwest corner, in front of the great banner made by Albion Wilde.

tgslTakoma and Bill from NC, the brother of PleaDeal.

tgslTakoma talks with an officer in his/her car (I've altered the license plate)

Jack Deth and BufordP on right foreground, Pinkos a block away in left background

There was a heavy police presence at the FReep. Before various marked cars stopped or drove by, a plainclothes police officer greeted us as we assembled for the FReep. He said that they were monitoring to insure compliance with applicable laws about protests. After looking at the FR permit and talking to us for a while, he drove his unmarked car down to the Pinkos. PleaDeal and tgslTakoma rushed down the block to be across the six lanes of Georgia Ave as the officer talked to the Pinkos. The officer pulled up in his unmarked vehicle, but with the police lights flashing on it. As he walked towards the Pinkos, holding his badge out in front of him, Bruce Wolfe was heard saying, "You don't have to come over to us and antagonize us." The officer's words could not be heard, but enough was heard to indicate that the officer was surprised by Wolfe's statement. There he goes again, STUCK ON STUPID, comrade Bruce Wolfe, in his proletarian uniform of blue jeans and solid blue shirt. And he won't even appreciate the irony that Wolfe starts by antagonizing a professional, courteous, officer (as this officer and 99 percent of the DC officers are). The officer's just trying to protect everyone's rights and keep us all safe, but Wolfe starts the interaction by trashing the guy.

Plainclothes officer (back to camera, we would not show his face) talks with four of the womyn of Code Pink including Bruce Wolfe at right.

There was no real interaction with the Pinkos on this night. The closest was when the four members of the Pinko family, below left, walked by us coming and going to the Pinko location. The parents don't realize that their two teenagers would soon be staunch members of the GOP and I didn't have the heart to tell the parents on Good Friday.

Four Pinko family members came together from their commune.

Pinkos as seen from a distance.

We continue to send our prayers and best wishes for a number of FReepers, and their loved ones, who have medical problems. There was some great news relative to several of those individuals, who have participated in the Walter Reed FReeps. That news buoyed our spirits.

Cindy-true-supporter told us that her son Gavin was released from the hospital a few days earlier. He has had a near miraculous recovery, but still suffers from being hit by a hit-and-run underage drunk driver.

We also heard that 3D-Joy, who was severely injured in a car crash 8 days earlier, would be released from the hospital the next day.

(I've since talked to 3D-Joy, who is staying with relatives near DC as she recovers from her injuries, a process that will take several months. I asked to visit her, but she said that maybe next week would be better.)

Last we heard, AirForceBrat23's grandfather is well on the road to recovery from a near-fatal heart attack.

Beyond the great news of these improvements, our Good Friday FReep was even more blessed. A car pulled over in front of the MOAB. As the passenger side window was rolled down, we saw a military Chaplin in his priest garb. He said, "I was driving home from holding Good Friday service, but I wanted to stop to thank you for coming out for the troops. God bless you." As he said that he moved his right hand in the priestly blessing motion. That was so moving.

Landry Fan, who FReeped at Walter Reed countless times beginning last summer and was outstanding in arranging contributions for injured troops as well as helping them in other ways, remains sidelined with medical problems. We hope and pray that she will recover in the near future.

There was no bus from Fran O'Brien's, the fancy restaurant that treats wounded heroes to free dinners every Friday. The event was not being held because it was Good Friday and Easter weekend, with many troops away.

Note that Hilton Hotels is canceling its lease to Fran O'Brien's restaurant, a move that will end the free Friday meals for the wounded heroes per this thread and this thread. I'll quote from a reply from hipaatwo on one of those threads and encourage all to try to undo the damage that Hilton's decision will have by politely contacting the appropriate people to register a protest and request that Hilton reconsider its decision.

Corporate Media Inquiries/Community Affairs

Hilton Hotels Corporation - Beverly Hills, California
Kathy Shepard - Vice President - Corporate Communications
Candace Hollis - Senior Manager - Corporate Communications
Phone: +1 310 205-4656
Fax: +1 310 205-7678

Hilton International

Linda Bain - Vice President of Group Communications
Phone: +44 20 7856 8293
Fax: +44 20 7856 8463

Investor Relations

Hilton Hotels Corporation - Beverly Hills, California
Atish Shah - Vice President - Investor Relations

Phone: +1 310-205-8664
Fax: +1 310 205-7686

Hilton International
Julian Arlett - Head of Investor Relations
Phone: +44 20 7856 8449
Fax: +44 20 7856 8463

North American Media Inquiries (U.S., Canada and Mexico Hotels, Developments, Programs and Services)

Hilton, Conrad
Jeanne Datz Rice - Director of Communications
Phone: +1 310 205-4545
Fax: +1 310 205-7880

Hilton Garden Inn
Agnes Sibal - Manager - Brand Communications

Phone: +1 310 205-4545
Fax: +1 310 205-7880

Doubletree Hotels
Thomas Wingham - Director - Brand Communications
Phone: +1 310 205-4545
Fax: +1 310 205-7880

Embassy Suites Hotels

Dawn Ray - Senior Manager - Brand Communications
Phone: +1 310 205-4545
Fax: +1 310 205-7880

Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites
Bonnie Cameron - Director - Brand Communications

Tori Walsh - Assistant Manager - Brand Communications
Phone: +1 901 374-6462
Fax: +1 901 374-5543

Homewood Suites by Hilton
Michael Bielskis - Manager - Brand Communications
Phone: +1 901 374-5954

Fax: +1 901 374-5543

Hilton Grand Vacations Company
Elena Norman - Senior Director - Communications
Phone: +1 407 521-3100
Fax: +1 407 521-3112

Europe, Australasia, Africa, South America Media Inquiries Hotels, Developments, Programs and Services

Hilton, Scandic

Elaine Hayes - Head of Public Relations
Phone: +44 20 7856 8293
Fax: +44 20 7856 8463

Conrad
Catherine Couplan - Public Relations Director
Phone: +32 2 542 4790
Fax: +32 2 542 4300

Let's help our wounded heroes maintain a positive attitude.  We absolutely must keep the pressure on Code Pink and keep showing the wounded troops at Walter Reed that Code Pink doesn't speak for the nation. If you live in the DC area and haven't yet come out for one of these FReeps, please do so this next Friday. Injured Walter Reed patients, including amputees, and their families have repeatedly told us how important it is for us to be there to counter Code Pink and their ugly anti-troops agenda.

If we can sufficiently outnumber the leftists often enough, embarrassment may cause the leftists to stop these outrageous morale-damaging ("Maimed for a lie" was one of their commonly-used signs) demonstrations at the hospital. If some are immune to embarrassment, and, at the very least, we can hinder their psychological warfare operation against the wounded troops. What about you? Can you spare a few hours on a Friday night?  

Can you give up next Friday night at the movies to support troops who've given up limbs for your freedoms? Will you?

Commemorate the one-year anniversary of these FReeps by helping us continue to support our troops.

This FReep is rewarding, fun, and important for our troops and our nation.

[BillF]

For those of you in the DC area, we need some additional FReepers to join us for FReeping Code Pink every Friday night, until further notice, starting at 6:30 pm and until about 9:30 pm. How about coming out this Friday for the one year anniversary? You can join us in progress if you can't make the beginning of the event.

Can you sacrifice an evening to honor the much greater sacrifice that the troops are making for our freedom?

We shall continue FReeping the Code Pinkos every Friday night until they stop their obscene blood dance outside the hospital of our war-wounded. If you agree with me that it is outrageous for Code Pinkos to protest a war at a hospital with war-wounded troops inside, please come out and join us in a peaceful counter-protest.

One of the amputees told me months ago that he doesn't want other wounded troops coming into Walter Reed and seeing only the Code Pinkos at the gates. He explained that the FReeper presence there was extremely important to counter the Pinkos. Please join us and be a part of our peaceful counter-protest to Code Pink.

Keeping the Pinkos away from the desirable locations at the gate of Walter Reed requires us to have enough people to occupy each of four corners.

Please don't let the troops think that regular Americans are too busy with TV, ballgames, movies and other recreation to peacefully counter America-hating leftists.

Being there with us in spirit is great, but we need people to hold the MOAB (Mother of all banners), other signs, and flags. Maybe you can't come every week, but please make it your patriotic duty to join us at least once in the near future.

As always, the DC Chapter's rules for protesting will be in effect.

Briefly, they are: No violence. No profanity. No racism. No provocations. Obey the law. Treat all law enforcement officers with respect.

Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 7200 Georgia Ave., at Elder St., NW

We've been setting up on all four corners at Walter Reed's entrance gate per our permits, whereas the Pinkos are barely visible about a block away (and out of any good location).

On street parking is usually easy to find. Location is about 6 or 7 blocks from Takoma metro station and is walkable, but it is best if you get a ride. If you want a ride, FReepmail me, preferably with your cell phone number as far in advance as possible. If you wait until Friday afternoon, I may be away from the computer.

[hsalaw]

This is a great re-cap and report. And thanks for the links to the Hilton; pleasant but pointed e-mails are on their way. You guys ROCK!

[Khurkris]

PleaDeal...Dude...lose the black socks with shorts. Trust me on this one....;-)

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Now is the time for all good men and women
to come to the aid of our country
and show support for our service men and women.

You do not have to be in DC to show support for the Troops.

Visit your local military base today and at least once a week.

Or a military or veteran hospital.

If you can't do that then send an e-mail or package
to our troops for morale support.

Proud Patriots -
Sending care packages,
e-mails, and snail mail
to US Military worldwide.

http://www.proudpatriots.org

We need coast to coast support for the troops, now, more than ever.

[BillF]

DC Chapter ping! Please bump this thread to keep this on top of the latest posts.

FReepmail me to get on or off the list.

Injured Walter Reed patients, including amputees, have repeatedly told us how important it is for us to be there to counter Code Pink.

If we can sufficiently outnumber the leftists often enough, embarrassment may cause some leftists to stop these outrageous morale-damaging ("Maimed for a lie" was one of their signs) demonstrations at the hospital. At the very least, we can peacefully and lawfully minimize the effect of their psych-ops against the troops.

Our troops are bold enough to face bullets, mortars, IEDs, and suicide bombers. Are you bold enough to get out from behind the keyboard, FReep in person, and stand up for the wounded troops at Walter Reed?

If you're in the DC area and don't have family, work or medical considerations that keep you from FReeping, can you spare a few hours on a Friday night? Will you?

There are several additional upcoming activities to consider, beyond the usual Saturday afternoon FReeps at Olney, MD.

Fred Phelps and his cultists, best known for demonstrating against troops at their funerals, will be at Bethesda Naval Hospital on Saturday, April 29 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm. FReepers will likely counter-protest, but details should follow later.

Later that day FReepers will gather to FReep the press and pundits gathering for the White House Correspondents Association dinner. Details should be posted in next few days, but the FReep will likely start in the late afternoon to early evening.

[BillF]

Please also note that Monday, April 24, at 10 am will be a Secure Our Borders rally held by the 9/11 Families for a Secure America and FReepers will participate.

[BillF]

Pinging you to the thread.

Would you like me to add you to the DC Chapter ping list so that you get pinged about all our activities?

[BillF]

I quoted from you contact list for Hilton in the report above.

Have you gotten any feedback from them or do you know of others who have heard back from Hilton? What are the Hilton people saying?

[hipaatwo]

Looks like its a done deal. Read this:

http://www.mudvillegazette.com/archives/004422.html

[BykrBayb]

Following the link that hipaatwo provided, and going deeper into the links there, I came across this. The same info is probably posted several times all over the Internet, but it bears repeating. Posted by Lisa at April 14, 2006 05:49 AM

And don’t forget that it’s not just “Hilton” hotels. The Hilton “family of hotels” includes: Conrad Hotels, Doubletree, Embassy Suites, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites and Scandic Hotels.

I haven't checked to see if that's a complete and accurate list, so I hope someone will correct me if it's wrong.

[bmwcyle]

Code Pimps who offer Saddam's women to America.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[bluesagewoman]

Thank you for doing this each week, for seeing a job that needs to be done and just doing it.

[BufordP]

I didn't put this together for my health. Here it is one more time.

http://www.geocities.com/buford_p/FR/WRFreeps.html

[trooprally]

REAL GREAT POST!!

I think you out did yourself this time. Thanks, especially for the connection to the Olney thread. You were up late last night.

See you tonight.

[trooprally]

ping in case you haven't seen it yet.

Good morning to all.

[Coop]

Good morning bump!

Stealing a powerful quote from another thread (letter from a Marine recon member in Iraq):

It’s too bad many people don’t realize that and the same Marines have to return time and again to the same places to kill these people instead of an entire generation standing up to fight evil. I can’t complain though, because even if there aren’t lines at the recruiting stations, at least we’re getting all the stuff we need out here and we know we have the support of the majority of the population back home. That makes all the difference in the world!

AMAZING E-MAIL FROM MARINE IN IRAQ

[maica]

Friday morning bump! Inspiring report and photos as usual!

[Just A Nobody]

Thanks for the great report Bill.

[tgslTakoma]

Thanks for the ping, BillF. I've been told that we may also have some MilBloggers joining us at some point during the evening tonight, though many are planning to have dinner at Fran O'Brien's. Also, there are still a few places open, if you haven't registered to attend the first annual (hopefully) MilBlog Conference tomorrow, April 22nd, in downtown DC.