# 2 D.C. Chapter's Family Flag Day Makes AP Photo Wire 10/13/01 Op. Infinite FReep Report

David DiLegge, 9, of Stafford, Va., holds an American flag near a poster of Osama bin Laden in front of the White House in Washington, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2001, on Family Flag Day; an occasion for Americans to show their support for President Bush and the U.S. by a showing of flags. Photo by Rick Bowmer (AP)

It was a beautiful autumn day in Washington, D.C. today. Warm, sunny, breezy weather lent a perfect atmosphere for Family Flag Day at the White House, a gathering sponsored by the D.C. Chapter of Free Republic to show support for our troops and President Bush.

A total of 40 FReepers, lurkers and their family members gathered for the better part of four hours at Lafayette Park in front of the White House waving American flags and holding signs supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

The demonstration was generally well received by the tourists and regulars there, except for the 24/7 anti-war protesters who periodically heckled and debated the flag wavers. Being that members of the D.C. Chapter and the anti-war protesters had developed a comraderie over the last three years, most of the interaction was conducted in a cordial manner. Some of the discussions did get heated, however, but remained peaceful.

The patriotic display was a welcome change for those used to seeing only blame-America rallies at the White House. Also, many of the tourists expressed their delight and support for the patriots as stood and listened to the pro-American music that was played on a portable CD player.

For the most part, it was a relaxing and pleasurable day for all. The story is best told by the photos which will soon be posted on this thread.

Honor Roll for today: Desertcry (w/wife and daughter); a local family of four; kristinn; tgslTakoma (w/daughter); Dave Dilegge (w/son); ironman; leadpenny; Jimmy Valentine's brother; a lurker named Ann; lurker "M"; Spaceman Spiff (w/wife); GunsareOK; TheFederalFarmer; Hail Caesar; TKEman; the Keller family (3); Ed McGarry; Jonah Hex; testforecho; Viet Vet and Shadow; BuffDC (w/family-5); Gabz (w/family-2) and Angelwood.

Operation Infinite FReep will continue. Look for an announcement soon for our next action.

JVB - excuse me for reposting your account from thread # 1 - it hit a nerve and was very moving:

A short but sweet report from the DC Chapter Warlord. My additions are:

(1) A family from New Jersey stopped by our compound. They were in town to see their daughter who attends GW. Their 13 year old son who wrestles and also claims to be more conservative than El-Rushbo was extremely well spoken and put forth his thoughts in a well reasoned and logical manner. While his parents may have influenced his thinking he was not spouting the family line.

(2) A lady passerby with her daughter and daughter's friend got into it with the permanently encamped anti-war ban the bomb groups that kristinn refers to. Her daughter was surprised to see her mother take after them. I told her that she should be proud of her mother for speaking up and not to be embarrassed. she agreed.

(3) I chatted up a father daughter that had wandered by on their bikes. I learned that the daughter was attending Georgetown so being the wise guy I asked her if the crucifixes had been returned to the classroom walls. The father was surprised at my statement. And I indicated that even though the university had been founded by the Jesuit Order that two years ago the crucifixes had been removed so as not to offend. He said that what was wrong with this country. I notice he was wearing a Princeton Lacrosse cap and asked him if they were going to recapture the national crown this year. He indicated that his son had played on the National Championship team. He then said his son was there and nodded towards pictures of the World Trade Center. I asked if he got out. He simply shook his head no. With that he rode off with his daughter. There is no way that I can begin to understand the depth of his hurt or the magnitude of his loss. I can only pray that God keeps him and his family close.

It was a fine day to be alive and American. Hope to see you all when next the DC Chapter's Warlord calls a meet.

Picture made the paper here in Delaware this morning!!!

Great job to the DC Freepers.

I still can't get over the fact that we wound up in the elipse as opposed to Lafayette Park - just goes to show I need to spend a bit more time in DC!!!!!.

At least I got to say hi to some of you - I'll keep an eye out and hopefully will be able to make it back over on the 27th.

EAGLES UP!!!!!

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