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

[blackie]

Even liberal Washington state has many (more than you would think) patriotic Americans living there!

Support Our Troops ~ Bump!

[LayoutGuru2]

Sweet! Thanks y'all!!!

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[MarMema]

ping

[gatorbait]

So, did MurryMom show up? Or were her meds keeping her calm?

[prairiebreeze]

BUMP, BUMP and BUMP for the Washington St. FReepers great success!!

Whoooheeee!!

Prairie

[HardStarboard]

Sorry I missed this one - you all obviously had a ton of fun.

I've participated in two of these rallys in Bellevue during the Iraq War....great experience, great fun and great people!

Congratulations on Wupping The Lefties this time.

[VOA]

JDoutrider, I apologize in advance to you and Jim Robinson for stealing this thread momentarily...

Dear Fellow Freepers...I'm hi-jacking this thread for a short side-bar in hopes to inform you to motivate y'all just a bit.....
the deadline (November 13th) for mailing military care-packages via the APO/FPO route to
our best and brightest has passed.

BUT...you can still mail military care packages!
I know, I DID IT YESTERDAY! (Saturday 11-15-03)

It's still TIME to:
SHOP
BOX
and
MAIL

for shipping advice, see threads at these URLs:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1003802/posts
(please not that the USPS website URL are missing a ".com"),
and remember to mark the "Redirect" box and write in "Commander/Chaplain"
on the Customs form...that way your box will definitely be used
AND
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/997310/posts


Further info. on VOA's mailing of two packages on 11-15-03, Saturday

I'll admit that it's costly. I loaded up one of the free "Priority Mail" cardboard boxes from the
local United States Post Office.
I loaded up each of two boxes with all sorts of "comfort food" and "personal hygiene" items that
should be useful, no matter if the recipient gets them or they are redirected by a "commander/chaplain".

I loaded each boxes with food items like...
flavored coffeed (e.g, hazelnut flavored that had sugar in the blend),
artificially-sweetened Tropical-Punch-flavored Kool-Aid (so sugar isn't required),
Spam-brand "Oven-roasted Turkey" (no pork products; metal-sealed for long-term preservation)...something
that a hungry Iraqi might really appreciate as a gift),
Lipton soup-packets in the flavors of "chicken noodle", "ranch", and "beef onion" (humble, but a change of pace!)
Oreo Cookies ("America's Favorite Cookie"...so I bet US soliders like 'em),
M&Ms -- holiday-colors...bet those will be well received around the tent!,
disposable razors (and a bar of "Burma-Shave" brand shaving soap!),
new toothbrushes (heck, might just be useful in cleaning an M-16!) and toothpaste,
solid-form under-arm deoderant....

I'm sure that folks who've actually served in a long-term deployment far from home, especially when separated
from beloved family and friends DURING THE HOLIDAYS can come up with even much more meaningful
and significant items to send to those who are abroad...protecting us, their fellow band of brothers and sisters,
and, at a long reach.....you and me.

[ppaul]

Too bad nobody burned a big UN flag.
Next time, hopefully.

[Libertina]

Is MurrayMom a WA FReeper? I didn't know that - there were 12 dirty people, I don't know if she was one or not ;)

[Libertina]

Hardstarboard... if you are near the Puget Sound area our chapter is having a Christmas party on December 6th. FReepmail me if you want info. :)

[Libertina]

they should have ignored it rather than take license to change the reality
LOL Welcome aboard, Baynative. FReeper Christmas party is open if you would like to meet your local FReepers :)

[arayasun]

My husband and his best friend were at the rally. Due to work obligations I was dissapointed to miss it. Though I am very proud of everybody who was there to show their support. My husband actually got airtime on KIRO 7 to answer a question the reporter had for him. The question was "How do you think the soldier's feel about you being here?" I will let him tell you all the answer, but I WILL tell you that his answer came from the heart.

I am glad to have found this board. :)

[GOPJ]

Thanks for the ping...

[Libertina]

BTTT Thanks! By now you know what stations NOT to watch, LOL. What a great rally though. I love them! But how hard would it be to protest with hate for so long like the NION unwashed,.... ugh, what a thought. BTW good sign I saw:
Is that knot in your name or a knot in your brain? LOLOL

[gatorbait]

12 dirty people, I don't know if she was one or not ;)


Well, she may fit that description LOL .. Anyway, glad to se you all deflected the traitors a good bit.

[Phylum Tardigrada]

No, Kiro 7 didn't just show pictures of total losers unless you include me in that statement.

I was there, and from what I hear I was on the news just right at 6pm. I didn't get to hear what was aired or what might have been broadcast after the edit... but I was most certainly there with my US Flag supporting our troops. I was the guy wearing the long black trench with long hair in a pony tail.

One of the "Not in our name" individuals kept saying over and over "USA Incorporated! USA Incorporated! USA Incorporated!" I just shook my head and asked her to learn what 'Incorporated' meant before she went around shouting it. I'll keep going through the pictures to see if I can find myself or the person I went with.

I was pleased to see the support there, and hear the massive wave of horns that blazed by the cars that passed.

[Libertina]

Sorry not to have met you, Phylum. Lots of FReepers incognito ;)

[MarMema]

Well thanks for clearing up my inaccuracy!