Wa. State "Support troops" rally HUGE success!

From the Front | 11/15/03 | JDoutrider

[JDoutrider]

Todays support the Troops rally at Camp Murray (FT Lewis, Washington state) was a resounding success!

I arrived an hour early and the Supporters had already spanned Exit 122 and the surrounding streets!

This show of support was for the largest call up of National Guard in decades. The organization "Not in Our Name" had threatened to protest the arrival of troops of the 81st Armored Brigade, and other detachments reporting for training duty before their deployment to Iraq.

Word got out that the loonies from Seattle were going to show up at exit 122 to make a stink about the war, and our brave men and women soldiers heading there.

Thanks to a heads up from local radio stations KVI 570, and KTTH 770, plans to launch a counter protest were made...and I'm here to tell ya it was a glorious response!

The smile on the troops diving by, and the constant blaring of horns from the freeway passerbys was quite moving. Yet everywhere I looked, I couldn't find the war protestors! Believe me...I looked everywhere...including the garbage cans and grease pit outside of Galloping Gerdies Restaurant...nowhere I tell ya! I wonder if the sight of all those American flags and support the warrior signs held by hundreds, if not thousands of Patriotic Citizens had anything to do with it?

Must admit, had to leave early as old war wounds won't allow me to stand for more than half an hour at a time, but managed to wave Ol Glory for two hours...damn the pain...this was FUN!

On the Way back North I was delighted to see that not only was Exit 122 filled with red, White, and Blue...but the next THREE highway overpasses were burgeoning with Americas Finest! Great going fellow Freepers! Especially Libertina...great to finally meet you!

JD

[MarMema]

I'll ping you when pics are up.

[MarMema]

We heard on the radio driving home that there were about 5000 of us and about 2 dozen of them.

[MarMema]

And btw, the Monte Cristo at Galloping Gerties is more than worth your time and money if you are down there again and hungry. The food there will surprise you greatly if you eat there, as we did today.

[CyberCowboy777]

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[radiohead]

You mean there were only 12-18 leftist demonstrators the whole time?? I'm in Seattle and I thought they could have round up more than that from the UW campus.

Thanks to all of you who went.

I'm the widow of a Vietnam vet who had a very hard time adjusting after his return, due to people like Not in my name members. Every since I heard about the protest at the base, I've been sick at heart. These people have no idea what they may be doing to the psyche of a young soldier.

Again, thanks to all of you who made it. I'm sure many of us who couldn't come were thinking of you and supporting you with our thoughts and prayers.

Bless our troops.

[MarMema]

You had to really look to find them. We'll make sure you see the pics so you get the full vision.

The enemy is here

The flags they had today are from this site.

[Just Lori]

Man oh man that was fun! The protesters were there, but nowhere near the 4,000 threatened. More like 20. Oh it's that Liberal math again. Everyone was great! We must keep letting our troops know how we feel. (Howard Dean? Didn't he play for the Mudhens?) =)

[goodnesswins]

My husband (with yellow glove) Taking on the ANSWER group

[goodnesswins]

IT WAS GREAT being there.....talked to a Mom as she was in a car waiting at a stop light....told us her son had just shipped out last week.....she was MOVED....as were we....MORE pictures coming up....

[goodnesswins]

SOME of the crowd....

[SW6906]

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!!?

Don't you know the rules against posting ANY pictures showing blue sky in Seattle - especially in November?!!?

Seriously, thanks for freepin', and thanks for posting pictures - keep them coming!

[goodnesswins]

Rally for our TROOPS

[Old Sarge]

This report is positively heart-warming.

When I leave, I only dare hope for a fraction of the turnout.

[goodnesswins]

Got 'em Totally surrounded

[American Sovereignty Defender]

Libertina, it was good to see you there, however, I wish I would have gotten around to meeting the rest of our FR squad.

For those who were there, I'm the guy with the signs that read, No Spin Zone, Terrorists (Love) Cut 'N Run (peace sign) Lobby, Losers Hate "W"...

I was there from 10:15 AM - 3 PM...and loved every minute of this rally. My attention was mostly directed at the war protesters. And I was happy to protest these low-life tyrants. How dare they tarnish the warm welcome our troops deserve.

The other distraction, was positive...my Mother, sister, and sister-in-law joined me. And I ran into a couple of patriots from my 4x4 club, 2 BIG BRONCOS. And I kept running into familiar faces from rallys past, as well as a regular who attends my weekly rally in Everett.

Absolutely awesome for a patriot! Not so good for the mentally challenged war protester. Har! Those CReeps deserved to hear from the "not on our bridge", post 9-11 American Patriot.

BTW - I managed to video tape the event thru the rain drops...some good stuff!

[goodnesswins]

Last one

[MarMema]

Some pics coming in now.

[katnip]

Wow! What a rally!

I wish I had been there.... sob......

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Awesome!!!! Did local news talk to any of you guys? Which channel should we watch tonight?

[goodnesswins]

Saw KIRO there with cameras....and I think I saw someone (writer type) from KOMO, too. Didn't talk to us, but probably did to some others.