Posted on 07/05/2005 10:59:50 PM PDT by BillF
And YOU need to understand that we shouldn't wait UNTIL Code Pink shows up before doing anything.
Every military hospital should have someone holding a sign that says "Thank You", not only Walter Reed, and not only because Code Pink is there.
Anothering very annoying characteristic is for keyboard critics to mock the efforts of those out there trying to make a difference. And your little battle-damage mitigation didn't impress me. So your feigned disgust and criticism appears weak at best. Find another thread.
I'd say a few of us are quite aware of this statement and even try to do something about it. Unfortunately it doesn't come close to what you originally said, and you know it.
Quite honestly, the misguided, poorly educated example of our public school system, who appears in the photo, doesn't deserve our time and energy. We're not going to "convert" him, and all we do is swell their numbers by confronting them, and giving them much needed publicity. All they want to do is upset people and annoy us. When we show up, they have succeeded in their mission and goal. I say ignore them, and do nothing more than to send the photo to everyone on our mailing lists.
Oh eeuuww! LOL
Our troops are bold enough to face bullets, mortars, IEDs, and suicide bombers. Are you bold enough to get out from behind the keyboard, FReep in person, and stand up for the wounded troops at Walter Reed? You betcha I am. Looking forward to FReeping the He11 out of the Pinkos this Fri night. See y'all there.
Wish I could be there with you guys, outstanding work. In NYC. If I ever get a ride, I will be there with bells on.
Are you coming up from my birth state just for this or already here for something else and taking advantage to squeeze in a FReep? Either way, good on ya!
God Bless the DC Freepers for standing up to these idiot scumbags who are harassing our troops. Our troops and families at Walter Reed are going through enough without having to deal with the lower crust of our society.
It will be an honor to FReep with you again.
If last week was any indication, the Pinkos will be a lot less organized and numerous than their contingent in Fayetteville.
By setting up just outside the gate, they get to talk with soldiers and their families as they pass through on foot or by car. They are preying on people who are emotionally vulnerable.
It makes no sense to allow that to go unanswered. Just taking a picture and passing it around would have no affect on those they meet in person at the gate.
Gen. Abizaid, in his recent testimony in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said soldiers are wondering whether Americans support them. By only letting soldiers see people who oppose them, it causes a false impression to be created. Our presence is a great morale boost for those in the service who see us in person.
During Vietnam, patriotic Americans did as you do. They sent letters and care packages, but they let the protesters take to the streets unanswered. Those protests gave great encouragement to the enemy--as they do today. But their effect is muted by our being out there.
And yes, we do convert people. We've spent alot of time over the years educating people who march at 'antiwar' protests. Sometimes we convert them on the spot. Most of the time it takes awhile for the truth to sink in. But it does work. The numbers of people who protest against the war in D.C. are dramatically down from several years ago to the point that the antiwar groups are struggling to get people to turn out at their events.
But those groups aren't going away. So we'll be out there standing up for America. We can't afford to do otherwise.
Way to go gang! Please keep it up.
I would really like to be on the DC chapter ping list.
Thanks!
Looks like Bill & I will be there baring BAD weather. I want to have him see the WW2 memorial (as he is a vet) in afternoon. He has not been to DC in decades, but I usually get there a few times a year.
Are you all just meeting there at 7 or elsewhere earlier? sorry for questions, as this is our first time we don't know the details. I have never been to walter Reed & will try to find some maps etc.
I will be freepmailing you three my cell phone #. I think I still have Kristinn's in my "old" phone directory.
Will FReepmail you if plans change & we wont be there. I trust you will have signs for us etc..
Looking forward to this. I agree with the spirit of physically showing support for our troops as much as countering the Code Pink FReaks..
Sorry, but I disagree with you that we should ignore them. My parents' generation tried that during VietNam, and we see how well that worked.
Let me share with everyone what happened last Friday...
We had just started unloading our supplies from our vehicles, stacking our bags of signs against a light post, setting up a couple of chairs along the sidewalk, and leaning our several rolled-up flags on a nearby fence, when the horn honks and the HOOAHs from folks leaving WRAMC began.
For anyone else driving by that intersection for the first time, it was not at all evident what we were doing. Our signs were not visible to the people honking their horns, and the only visible part of the flags was the red and white stripes (they were still rolled up).
But the people leaving Walter Reed knew who we were; they had seen us there for three months now (Oh my! Has it been that long already?), and they knew what we were doing. And judging from the enthusiastic response we were getting, before we had even set up our signs and flags and MOAB, they appreciate us being outside those gates to oppose the very negative message that the Code Pink protesters hawk. I saw and heard firsthand that our presence is a great morale booster for those who work, and visit, and live inside WRAMC.
When Code Pink took their war to our wounded soldiers, the doctors and nurses who care for them and their families they crossed a very important line, IMO.
To anyone considering coming, you can park on Georgia Avenue right where we protest. If you're heading out of the District, we'll be on the right side. Elder Street is opposite the Walter Reed's second gate on the left. It's where Georgia Ave starts up hill. It's the one with bright lights and plenty of security. We are also underneath a street light.
Will you be in town for long? Should I plan on setting up the grill for a test run for September?
See you on Friday!
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