Posted on 03/20/2007 7:00:26 PM PDT by Tom the Redhunter
Neither snow nor rain nor sleet nor gloom of night, nor all four combined can keep the Freepers from our appointed duty.
A special THANK YOU to everybody who came in from out-of-town to be with us! Many of you I know came from areas far north where the weather was much worse. Many people I spoke with told me that it was snowing that morning in their hometown when they left, and that the driving was tough the whole way down. Many I'm sure were not able to come at all. THANK YOU and we hope to see you again!
This Friday was doubly special because it was the 100th week that Free Republic has been holding rallies outside of Walter Reed! It started as a simple counter to Code Pink by a few intrepid FReepers, and has grown into a weekly pro-troops rally that we would keep doing even if the Pinkos stopped holding their protests entirely.
It started out as rain, turned into sleet, and by 8 it was snowing steadily. It rained during the day, which by evening had turned into a mixture of sleet and snow. Temps dropped from the mid-30s to just below freezing, which is about typical for this time of year for the DC area.
We decided to start an hour early because Code Pink announced that they would start at 6pm instead of their usual 7. Since we didn't want them anywhere near the entrance to the hospital, we wanted to make sure we had people there early.
When I got there at about 6:30 there were already over 20 people there with all four corners well staffed by patriotic volunteers. Here's the sight that greeted me as I drove up. The grainyness of the photo conveys the weather conditions. Thankfully I always carry a poncho in the car for just such situations.
I hoped out and quickly made my way to the "main" corner where we set up shop. There were almost a dozen people on that corner alone and I went around and spoke with each of them. It seemed that almost everybody had come in from out-of-town, the majority from places north. Impressive, given that it was much worse up in New Jersey/Pennsylvania/New York.
As you can see everyone was in their raingear
We quickly got our signs out and went to work! As usual we got a huge response from people in their automobiles. Maybe they were just amazed at our dedication, being out there in the rain and sleet, but it seemed that we got a higher number than usual of honks and waves that night
I counted heads on our side at around 8:00 and came up with about 60 people. Usually we have anywhere from 15-30, the higher number when a group like the GW College Republicans show up. 60 was a very good turnout given that the weather was so bad and that many of our regular folks stayed at home getting our flags and banners ready for Saturday's Gathering of Eagles on the Mall.
After awhile I took out my notebook and tried to record names, but had to stop after just one corner. The rain just about soaked the pages, and cold just about froze my fingers. People also came and went so I'm afraid any list will be incomplete. I thought about just trying to list the regulars but didn't want to slight folks who took the effort to come in from out-of-town. My apologies and I hope no one is offended.
Here are a pair of intrepid FReepers who came in from out of town to join us
This patriot isn't going to let a little bad weather stop her from showing the flag
About the time the sun went down the rain had turned to sleet and we had snow mixing in with the lot. It was wet snow so the flakes were large. You can even see them in this next photo
Sometime during the evening we saw the long-time Pinko we call "Squeeje Man" walk past us to join his gang of traitors. Several of us decided to follow him down and see how many of them there were. We counted about 12, which was kind of surprising. I figured that they'd have more people in town too for the events on Saturday. I guess they just couldn't take the weather, or are just demoralized from being sidelined for so long. Probably both.
Here then is the obligatory shot of the sad bad of Pinkos down the street.
One thing we've noticed is that their leaders are almost never with them. On only a few occasions have Code Pink founders Medea Benjamin and Gael Murphy been spotted, and they rarely seem to stay the entire time. That's one good reason, I am sure, that their numbers have steadily dropped. I guess Medea and Gael figure they're too important.
Kristinn Taylor, on the other hand, is present from beginning to end at almost all of our FReeps. If you want to make something a success you have to lead by example, and I'd certainly say our Walter Reed FReeps have been successful.
Here are some more of our friends from out-of-town
Bad weather didn't stop this FReeper from carrying three flags and a sign
I know this next one is grainy but poor Mrs Trooprally didn't want to use her good camera and for excellent reason. Water damage doesn't do a camera well! It's just as well though because I think the way the photo came out rather conveys the feeling of being in a mixture of sleet and snow after dark
And unless I am very much mistaken this is Jim Robinson, the founder of Free Republic, who came out to join us
Thank you once again for everyone who came out to be with us this evening! In selecting photos I tried to get the folks from out-of-town who aren't usually with us.
And for all the rest of you, we realize that it may not ever be possible for you to join us in person, but that you are here in spirit. We very much appreciate your thoughts and prayers. All I would do is encourage you to seek ways in your community to show your support for our troops. Most of you probably already participate in various programs.
Until next time...
Acknowledgements and More
Don't be shy! We'd love to have you with us one evening. If you'd like details on location, parking, etc, please send FReepmail to me or any of the other DC chapter members. You can also reach me by email at redhunter43@yahoo.com
* A special Thank You to Mrs Trooprally for taking the photos for this AAR. You can find all of the photos she took for this FReep on her Photobucket site
* Thank you to BufordP for maintaining the BIG LIST of all Walter Reed FReeps.
* Thank you always to Kristinn and tgslTakoma for all the work they do to keep these FReeps happening.
* Tom the Redhunter blogs at The Redhunter
I think it would be great if we got a list together of all folks who freeped this historic occasion, so if your name didn't appear above due to Tom's frozen fingers, check in on the thread!!
Almost meant to say that we had Gold Star mothers join us as well as other folks who were in town for the Gathering of Eagles rally.
I was going to go until someone who would rather remain nameless told me it had been canceled!!!!
I should have known better.
oops that was supposed to be a "ping" to DC members but that's not what I meant to do. apologies
ping
Always cool and much appreciated.
FR's finest (and others) supporting America's finest! BTTT!
The American fighting spirit is alive and well. Thanks to all of you for braving the freezing weather to show your support for our brave soldiers. Our thoughts and prayers are with you every Friday night.
FReepmail for you.
Awesome!!!
Myself, daughter and son were there. Hubby and little girl had to stay in the car.
the gentleman to the left in below pix is NorthCoastConservative from NE Ohio....former Marine there for GOE to defend the wall! Do not recognize the lady
Now that I have a larger pix to view, I believe it is EEEvil conservative??? the give away red hair is pretty well covered up & she is NOT flashing that normal outstanding smile! *just giving us a tease smile).. maybe that happens when you are freezing?
LOL!!
yup- that is me-- I HAD to get my pic with NORTH COAST Conservative!!!
and YES- it was FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZING!
LOL!
Thanks for the thread--
It was an AWESOME NIGHT!
Every time I tell people about it...I cry...so filled with emotion to participate in welcoming those special heroes home.......truly one of the GREATEST HONORS of my LIFE!
GOD BLESS all you who do this every week!
THANK YOU!!
Thanks for the report, and so very quickly!
I am reading all I can about the weekend...wish I could have been there.
Count me as one of the 60 that showed support! When I returned to work yesterday here in Hopewell, VA, I told my co-workers I been to D.C. and "had seen the elephant", first at WRMC and the next day when I worked as a marshal for GOE. What an experience Friday night and I loved every minute of it. I sat across the street at 5:30 waiting to see if anyone would show and then saw RL getting salt out of his trunk to cover all four corners. One of the first to approach me was a reporter for a Canadian newspaper. I pointed him toward RL and Mr. TroopRally as I knew they could help him. Soon a couple from Washington state (some place near Vancover showed up) and a while later a couple arrived in a taxi. They were there for the first time and said they were from Gulf Shores, AL. Before too long it became too much for the lady and he said they needed to get a cab. It soon was obvious you can't hail a cab at that corner. We put her in my SUV and he walked up the street to get a cab. I got distracted and next time I looked they were gone so all must have been OK. I couldn't believe the strong support from the drivers passing by, from both private and commercial vehicles. My heart did skip a beat twice when I saw emergency buses with lights flashing arrive from probably Andrews with wounded. I had to smile when two or three pinkos came up to the corner and wanted to "talk". One of the lady old faithfuls said, "get outta here, we've heard all your crap before, this is our corner and you're not welcome." They soon went back to their sad little spot with their tail between their legs.
I am so glad you were able to make that trip. What was the response re: all from your kids(you took 2?)
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