Laconia, NH After Action Report [Operation Infinite Freep]

vanity | 04/02/05 | Vanity

[UncleHambone]

Our local Peace and Justice club has set up on a local corner on North main Street in Downtown Laconia every Saturday afternoon from 11:00am til noon, since the war on terror began. I admire their perserverance and dedication (though terribly misguided), and I've always been dispointed that I didn't take the time to stand up for MY opinion. So today I finally stepped up to the plate. Of course I had to pick a miserable rainy day! By the time I got my act together, the hippies were just breaking up, so there was no confrontation, but one of the protesters did drive by later and said "whatever" to me. Other than that there was quite a few folks who waved or honked in the hour I was there, and a couple who actually stopped to say a few words of encouragement.

Anyone want to do this again next weekend? I am sure the weather will be better!

[StoneGiant]

Good Luck!

I'll be fishing up there a little later this month, and may drop by.

StoneGiant
Londonderry, NH

[Racehorse]

. . . one of the protesters did drive by later and said "whatever" to me. Other than that there was quite a few folks who waved or honked in the hour I was there, and a couple who actually stopped to say a few words of encouragement.

Anyone want to do this again next weekend?

What did you do?

Your post does not say what drew the waving, the honking, the words of encouragement, and the protester's adolescent "whatever."

Whatever it was, if it supports the troops and agitates the opposition, good for you, and best of luck from Tejas.

[UncleHambone]

I held a sign displaying "support our troops" with two American flags.

[UncleHambone]

I held a sign displaying "support our troops" with two American flags.

[Little Bill]

Cut him some slack, the guy went out and did what a lot of FReepers don't do, confront the enemy. Uncle Hambone you did good, the more you do it the better you get.

Bill

[Racehorse]

Simple. Direct. Sincere. Effective.

Hope your next corner visit finds you standing with many newly found like-minded friends!

Good going!

[Little Bill]

Ping

[Racehorse]

Cut him some slack, the guy went out and did what a lot of FReepers don't do, confront the enemy.

I presented him with the opportunity to tell us what he did on that street corner.  Some demonstrations, even for the right cause, are inappropriate.

Now that he told us, the image of Uncle Hambone . . . standing on that corner where people know the protesters gather, standing there alone in the inclement weather, holding his sign and his flags . . . is rather an admirable one, an example set for his community and us.

[Little Bill]

He is new at this, he will get the hang of it. I am thinking of wandering over and giving him a hand next week, I will give him a few pointers on writing after action reports, done enough of them.

[freeandfreezing]

Way to go!

For readers outside of New Hampshire, UncleHambone is speaking with the understatement common in New England. "Miserable rainy day" is putting it mildly. Its 42 degrees here, and we've had solid rain all day. It still hasn't melted the snow, but it has made some nice fog...

[Prov3456]

Congratulations on your first FReep--and solo at that! Great job.

Several of us have stood across from the peaceniks at the Columbia (Missouri) post office every Saturday since shortly after 9-11. If you know how to search the archives, you can find pictures and posters. (We continue to FReep on Saturdays, just haven't posted articles or pictures for a long time.)

I also stand at the Jefferson City (MO) post office on Wednesdays. Often alone, sometimes 2 or 3 of us. Our signs say "We support our troops and freedom," "Our troops, our heroes," "Freedom isn't free," "Peace is good. FREEDOM is better," etc. We ALWAYS have one or more American flags.

(It always amazes me that the peaceniks--who have the right to protest because of the military and our freedom--never carry American flags.)

Once again, great job UncleHambone. Anyone in NH who can join you some Saturday should do so. It's fun and the troops, their families, and most citizens appreciate it.

[Prov3456]

ping for a New Hampshire FReep.

[bluesagewoman]

Excellent job! I remember the first time I stood counter to the peaceniks. It was a little embarrassing, and I felt like a spectacle. My husband told me, "Never be embarrassed to support our troops and country." He was right, and I never felt that way again. It has gotten to where if we don't do it, we not only miss being out there, but feel guilty because the peaceniks are all our troops, veterans, and their families will see.

A word of advice...chemical footwarmers!! (OK, that's two).

Good luck next week!

BSW

[Doctor Raoul]

Great job. Someone said that 90% of success is showing up.

The little deluded "peace" protesters get very little feedback, so they believe that they are correct in their America hating.

You, alone, popped that bubble. The "whatever" comment was for his benefit not yours. He's the one doubting his position.

[Doctor Raoul]

Great job. Someone said that 90% of success is showing up.

The little deluded "peace" protesters get very little feedback, so they believe that they are correct in their America hating.

You, alone, popped that bubble. The "whatever" comment was for his benefit not yours. He's the one doubting his position.

[Trteamer]

Way to Go! Colorado FReeper bump!

[tgslTakoma]

Thank you for taking the time to show support for our troops, on a cold and rainy day especially. You may find on future Freeps that you'll have passers-by stop and join you, so be sure and have an extra sign or two.

Good work!

[RaceBannon]

it will melt the snow before tomorrow night!

Connecticut river valley is expecting major flooding after this one, 5 inches of rain before it is over, and all the snow that will be melted because of it, the frozen ground that will NOT soak it up...

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Thanks for going out. Look forward to your weekly after action reports.
:>)