I applaud your efforts.
I'm concerned that such counter-demonstrations play into the hands of the anti-war crowd.
Remember the '68 Democratic Convention in Chicago? There were only a handful of protesters, but the news coverage of the cops kicking their a&&e& made it look like all of Chicago was rioting.
If there are large counter demonstrations I think that the worldwide (liberal) media will use that to prove that the Iraq war is tearing the country apart, and therfore Bush should get out ASAP. After all, isn't that what the 'Nam protesters did?
The soldiers who limp, wheel or hobble out to thank us each week make it all worthwhile!
We are there to show them they are appreciated and not forgotten!
I get to go about every other week and shall continue for the near future. I may just move my Freep to our Florida Hospital when I return there!
I am MORE CONCERNED that the LACK OF a counter-demonstration will end the way the UNCHALLENGED anti-war protests ended in the 60's and 70's!!!
As 3D-Joy said, our troops love and appreciate the fact that we are there. Nothing else to say...it is all that matters.
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Media hype of the anti-war protestors is counter-productive to the Dem party. Between 1968 and 1992 there were only 4 years of a Dim president. What Americans saw in '68 and '72 convinced many that national direction could not be put in the hands of dems.
Only 2 years after Clinton got into the White House, Americans decided to put Rs in charge in the House of Representatives. They are still in charge.
The anti-everything-positive demonstrations have been shrinking every year. I see that shrinking trend continuing. Who wants to be associated with losers? Not as many people, evidently, since the coverage of their protests have been shown on CSPAN, etc.
Um, no. They would very much like to be the ONLY group outside of Walter Reed, and the only people outside of the DC recruiting station, so our opposition is definitely not "playing into their hands".
Anyway, screw what Code Pink & Co. want. Bottom line, the soldiers enjoy OUR presence there, and they deserve that little bit of enjoyment, so showing up at Walter Reed once or twice a month is the least I can do.
You wouldn't be concerned if you were out there and saw the gratitude on the faces of our wounded soldiers, their families, and the staff at Walter Reed. Not to mention the incredible support given to us by passing traffic.
What are they supposed to do? Sit back while the Code Pink protestors demoralize the wounded coming into the hospital?
These protests aren't for the media's consumption. They are for the WOUNDED SOLDIERS returning to Walter Reed where they WERE greeted by Socialists Communists and anti-American traitors. But no more....
Thank all of you who show up each and every Friday night for your counter protests! Looks like your numbers are growing...and the signs are looking more and more professionally done every week.