Posted on 03/31/2002 1:55:09 AM PST by VaMarVet
Yesterday, DC Chapter FReepers continued their weekly vigil at the Pentagon to pay respect to the victims of the September 11th terrorist attack and to show support for our nation's servicemen and women. The honor roll for the 2 hour vigil was BufordP, sauropod and Dave Dilegge. Sauropod brought along a tribute to Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Dickenson, USA and placed it on the memorial. It was a fine spring day and the turnout on the knoll overlooking the damaged side of the Pentagon was steady, with a constant flow of people coming and going the entire time we were there. As usual many stopped by to chat with us about why we were there and thanked us for just being out there. Afterwards, the three met up with Kristinn, Angelwood, TgslTakoma, Connie and James Parmalee of the Northern VA GOP at a local restaurant to discuss our ongoing plans for the April 20th Patriots Rally for America.
BufordP and the Pentagon
Pentagon Security
The Knoll
Sauropod's Tribute to LTC Dickenson, USA
Children Pay Their Respects and Learn About Our Great Country
Sauropod, BufordP and the Culpeper Minutemen Flag
Group Shot at the Planning Meeting with Minuteman Flag
It was a gorgeous spring day with the sun shining, a slight breeze and temperatures in the high 60's. The numbers of visitors to the memorials were high -- 75-80 at times. People visit because they want to see for themselves the area of the Pentagon that was attacked and they spend time reading the messages left under the trees. Since there have been only sporadic stories about the memorial site itself, most visitors come on their own or because they heard about it from someone else.
I spoke to many of the visitors. One couple had been to the Pentagon repeatedly over the last seven months to pay their respects and watch the phenomenal reconstruction effort. The construction crews work 24/7 to repair the damage to the Pentagon and their progress is evident each week.
I spoke to another couple and their four children for quite a while. They were from New York City and live very near the area devastated by the terrorist attack. The wife and mother told me that everyone living near that area had trouble with their voices for a week after the devastation. People, this family included, have developed colds that never seem to go away. All of them were coughing a little while I was talking to them. Her descriptions of conditions so close to the dust and fires was vivid and she recounted how many of the victims of 9/11 her family knew and missed -- a teacher, firemen, policemen, relatives of the children's friends and the list goes on.
I told her about the memorial we've been maintaining for BCM and BKO. For the third week in a row, the placard we left with Barbara Olson's photo and details about her was missing. The one for Battalion Chief John Moran was still in place next to the flowers left the week before. The flowers still looked pretty good, but tgslTakoma was planning to put fresh flowers at the site after our meeting and she and Kristinn did that.
The New York lady told me about the massive amounts of items left all over New York City in memory of those who died in the WTC attacks. She wasn't aware of items being taken from those sites.
The family felt the need to visit the Pentagon and see the area of the attack for themselves. It was very different from what happened in NYC and they were amazed at how low the Pentagon is and how low the plane had to fly to hit it. The damage here was contained in a fairly small area and in NYC buildings fell or had to be demolished -- 8 buildings in all.
I enjoyed talking to this family so much that it was difficult to leave for our Chapter meeting. I hope they enjoy their visit to D.C. and have a safe trip back to Ground Zero.
We'll meet again next Saturday.
Bump.
If somehow the plans involve bringing in people that think that white power is the way to go, then they really don't need my approval, but they shouldn't be surprised when I object.
I am sure Dave just LOVED you bringing that back up.
Did the pic come out of the memorial itself?
Let me know.
'Pod
This pro-America, pro-US troops, pro-freedom rally is more important than any one person or personality; and, with all due respect, I would appreciate it if you would withold posting any more negative musings. Please.
I thank you and the rest of the DC Chapter membership who are working to give everyone a great "Patriots Rally for America" also thank you (in advance) for trusting that we are good and honorable people who do the right thing (even when nobody's watching).
To: Dave Dilegge
So how did the planning go, or do we have to wait for dales approval?
6 posted on 3/31/02 7:04 AM Eastern by Gore_ War_ Vet
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