After Action Report From Crawford

basil ^ | 8/28/05 | basil

[basil]

So now it's all a part of history. Would that all of you could have been there to take part in this joyous day of celebrating our troops, our president, and our mission. Everyone who was able to attend saw different things, had different experiences, came away with a different idea of what transpired yesterday. That is the nature of how these things work.

My own perspective is that the event was a huge success. The number of people who gave freely of their time, their pocketbooks, their expertise, their muscle power, and their overwhelmning support was truly phenomenal! What a heart-lifting experience to be surrounded by good, all American Americans! What a contrast to those poor people on the left, with their sad faces, their misplaced loyalty, and in some cases, their desire to destroy this, the most successful country the world has ever seen.

My perspective on the day will probably be surprising to some, especially to those who have never been involved in the planning and execution of a large event like this. The truth of the matter is that during the event, you are too busy to see and hear what is going on up on the stage, and around the periphery of the event. There are always details to keep up with, people needing something taken care of IMMEDIATELY, some minor emergency or some request, that keeps you focused on that little subject, instead of what's happening a bit futher afield from your location at the moment. In actuality, in a lot of ways, I wasn't there!

There was never a time to just stop and listen to this speaker or that one---most of them, I didn't hear at all. The one thing I did hear was the lovely singing of our anthem by Mr. Bruce Odems, a career Austin Firefighter, and a veteran of the 1st Gulf War. No one could miss him, as his lovely voice was projected so beautifully out over the crowd. Then, it was time to turn back and take care of other details.

Many thanks to TXBubba for keeping a live thread going--(someday, I will have finished reading all of those 3 thousand plus posts). I was not very helpful as the phone connection was so bad for one thing, and for another, there were so many things happening that I didn't yet know about, so I couldn't tell her about them. And--well, I have to add that some of the things I told her turned out to be not true anyway, so maybe some of that bad phone reception was a good thing--LOL!

There are so many people who did a yeoman's job of making this thing a roaring success. It was incredible--people from all over the country just showed up with wonderful contributions, and went to work right away. I'm going to start a list of the ones I remember off the top of my head, and hope that The Sarce, Gracey, Drewsdad, and all the other freepers there will add to the list.

First of all, of course, is Kristinn. There are not enough adjectives in the English language to describe the contribution he made to this endeavor. Those of you who know Kristinn know what I mean--the rest of you will have to take our word for it. Kristinn is Kristinn and is one of FR's finest gifts.

While mentioning Kristinn, I have to interject and mention that 2 of my very good non-freeper friends who happen to live very near Crawford took over the duty of chauffering the non-driving Kristinn around all day every day from Wednesday through yesterday--when they even had to drive him about 100 miles to the DFW airiport, as the shuttle flight from Waco had mechanical problems. I won't mention there full names here for obvious reason, but Rich and Gail, you know who you are, and you have our gratitude!

One of our newer freepers, by the name of FFforFreedom-I think I got that right, but will check it to be sure-just literally connected with me, and got the ball rolling putting members of the Austin Firefighters Union to work, and rounding up supplies for the rally. The list of things they added is a long one, but one of the bigest things they contributed was sheer muscle power, hard work, heart, and sweat. They are the guys who furnished the barbeque and other food (and it was delicious). They hauled their grill and the power system to run it out to the site early in the day, and the smell of grilling sausage and brisket filled the air. They furnished water, ice, generators, fans, the EMS service, and on and on. They even hauled in a discarded old bathtub and iced down a load of watermelons in it! That's pure Texas, folks--LOL! Please give a word of thanks for these fine fellows. As the packing up, cleaning up was underway, FFforFreedom was nowhere to be seen--and then, all of a sudden, I spy him walking across the field, holding up his own IV! Seems he had finally been overcome by the heat and had to be administered to himself by the very EMS that he was responsible for getting onsite! He was on his way back to join his crew in cleaning up and packing up!

There were the two female dynamos from Ft. Benning, GA, who just came out of nowhere--with their 3 story tall flag, their balloons, their yellow ribbons, tents, and on and on. It was these young ladies who paid to rent out the air conditioned Community Center for EMS to have a place to bring in victims of the extreme heat for treatment. These gals were like a whirling dervish--came in, set up, broke it down, and carried it away. The engineering, heavy equipment, and all the details necessary to pull this off were just there--that's all--they just showed up.

The wonderful speakers, who truly spoke from their hearts, the families with loved ones serving in the Middle East, the bikers, the people on horseback, the true Gold Star Families--the people who made all the sacrifices to get to the rally from near and far--all contributed greatly to this wonderful day of patriotism and support for our fighting troops, their Commander In Chief, our mission.

Have no worry about lack of media coverage. (Is anyone really surprised?). Many, many cameras got this rally memorialized on film, and that film will find it's way to Iraq and Afghanistan and our toops will know that there is huge support for them in the U S of A! That was the point--that was our message, and our Service Men and Women will know this!

I will close with one personal incident that occurred at the end of this very long day. Forgive me, but I just feel the need "share" this.

We're finally on the road for home--it's about 8:30 PM or so, and Doctor Raoul is driving. He is an excellent, very safe driver (although he drives a bit slower than I do--LOL!) Anyway, after a while, he tells me that he has sort of hit the wall, and is having trouble keeping his eyes open. So we switch, and I take over the wheel. Raoul is now in the passenger seat, trying to snatch a few ZZZZZZ's, when he stirs, and says, "Is that a siren I hear?" I look out the rear window, and sure enough--I see these flashing blue and white lights, and the siren is growing closer. (Keep in mind, I've been behind the wheel for --oh maybe 5 minutes). Of course, I'm being nabbed--LOL!.

I pulled over , and my "new friend in blue" pulls in behind me. Also, you must know, we were on a back road, not a major highway, and there was very little traffic, and nothing but open road ahead. I didn't want anyone to get the idea that I was endangering anyone--but I was definitely speeding.

So the cop walks up and introduces himself as Officer so and so, from the Hutto TX police dept, and that he clocked me going 76 in a 65 mph zone. I tell him, "Guilty as charged, officer, and it is also my obligation to let you know that I am armed." He asked if I had a License to carry the gun, and I said yes. And then............................

His radio squawked--

and the message is that there is an erratic driver on the road, with a child in the car. The officer looks at me, and says. "Be on your way, and drive safely!" He hadn't even gotten around to asking for my driver's license! He ran back to his car and took off!

Doctor Raoul, who never opened his mouth during all of this, was wondering if he dreamt the whole episode. I told him no, it happened, and it just goes to show that there is a GOD! End of story--the rest of you take over with your details now, please--I've already been far too long-winded!

[foreign devil]

Thank-you so much Cedar Dave for doing what I couldn't do, though I support your President and the Gold Star families and all the troops. I'd have loved to be there but I'm a long way away. You did what I couldn't and your work helped make the day the success it was. I may have seen your picture but I don't know which sign I'm looking for. However, all your work on such a hot day was invaluable. Many, many thanks for making our side look good! :)

[foreign devil]

Thank-you so much Cedar Dave for doing what I couldn't do, though I support your President and the Gold Star families and all the troops. I'd have loved to be there but I'm a long way away. You did what I couldn't and your work helped make the day the success it was. I may have seen your picture but I don't know which sign I'm looking for. However, all your work on such a hot day was invaluable. Many, many thanks for making our side look good! :)

[foreign devil]

That was on CNN yesterday morning. Ed Lavendera gave our gang really good coverage for a change, showing the different people in the crowd from kids with colorful faces and flags to the bikers doing wheelies and ended with the horses with the signs on their bums. He said "Here in Crawford, Texas, what they think of Cindy is fit for the back end of a horse!" Ouch! So for a change, CNN wasn't all Cindy! I guess our gang showed them there was another opinion and the silent majority, most of whom hold down jobs during the week, could come out in numbers too on a weekend. He ended the piece with a clip of the talk radio DJ saying "Cindy, get out of Texas...we don't want you here" or something like that. It was a split screen with him saying his piece on the stage and the other side of the split screen was Cindy sitting in a lawn chair with her legs crossed and holding her chin in her hand looking dejected. It was a great contrast! FOX had Ted Nugent's wife on but she did a sort of p.c. coverage that really didn't give us any coverage except drive-by shots, whereas they got Cindy in a couple of clips talking in that whiney voice of hers. Frankly I'm fed up with FOX lately.

After those two early reports, it was the hurricane for the rest of the day. CNN did a piece on Crawford early early this morning, but it was a picture of Cindy at the cross with Sharpton and the horde of reporters in the background. It was brief and we didn't get any Cindy blurbs. Maybe they're winding down with her now that we've exposed both their charade and her. Let's hope so. I'm tired of these stories that go on for weeks, every fifteen minutes on the quarter hour.

[ariamne]

Back up a minute--Protest Warriors were escorted out? Surely, the sarcasm they employ for their slogans is fairly broad and obvious. This is a disturbing bit in a otherwise heartwarming story.

[Pippin]

"LoneStar Kristinn"

Way to go Kristinn!

[RedWing9]

Actually, it's easy to understand. Most people only pay attention to the big letters in their signs, that is why they can sometimes march amidst the leftists for so long. Once someone reads past the "headline", they realize the intent.

I'm sure that those who tore up the signs had not read the sub-headlines...

[YepYep]

Thank you for all your work to help make this rally such a success!!

Particularly, thanks for all that cool water made available, as it proabably saved me from a heat stroke or something like it.

There were so many people at the rally, that the only FReeper I actually recognized was Doctor Raoul, and it was great to get to visit briefly with him. Sorry to have missed JimRob and Kristinn and you, but I had such joy meeting so many patriots.

[freekitty]

What wonderful people you are and there is a God above.

[strategofr]

"Yes dvds are cheap nowadays .25 per disc. However VCDs are even better."

Thanks for info. I hope FR has a "video brigade". We are a group who loves words more than images (I suppose, I do) but we need a video brigade. Video is for the massses and masses vote.

[amutr22]

Thanks for all this great information!
Can you tell me if you know of anything planned to counter the protest in DC on the 24th of September?

[basil]

You can bet your boots that the DC Chapter will be out in force to counter this vile event. You can freepmail Angelwood and ask to get on their ping list for information about what they will be doing.

[Shazolene]

Thank you.
You all are magnificent!!!!
FReepers rule... wow!
xoxoxoxoxox
bttt

[El Gato]

Here ya go..... Maybe he's thinkin' of moving to TX???

Maybe, but no real Texan would have worn that shirt, not that day anyway. I'm surprised the man didn't require the attention of the paramedics. Looks like he could have used a really big cowboy hat, or maybe a Tejano sombrero. Viking types don't do well in the sun down here. :)

At least he did know to drink enough water. He said was drinking two bottles and hour, and encouraged everyone to drink at least one per hour. I think I drank about 3 per hour ;) , a mix of what I'd brought and the stuff provided.

To Kristian I say "Salute!".

[El Gato]

Yes dvds are cheap nowadays .25 per disc. However VCDs are even better. Easier to copy. Even cheaper medium CDRs. Nero burns them quite well. They play in most dvd box players also.

I think the original poster was wondering about mass production. Stamping them rather than burning them. I have no idea what the production costs on that might be, or where the crossover point in terms of numbers produced (verses burning them, which would cheap, but very labor intensive.)

I guess we could organize a sort of chain reaction effort. The original producer burns 10 copies and sends them to ten folks. They each burn 10 copies, sending one or two to other volunteers, and the rest to a central collection person for shipment to the troops. Each volunteer does the same. If you have a critical mass of volunteers, you'd end up with an explosion CD's or Video disks.

[DrewsDad]

I was about 30 ft. from the event when people started yelling about the sign. The very bottom of the sign wasn't visible and I didn't care for what I had read of it. I recognized it as a ProtestWarrior format sign, having protested with them in the past, but have to admit to questioning the intent.

I would have preferred that it wasn't handled that way, but someone ran up and pulled down the sign and there was a collapse of people and cameras around the altercation. After it cleared up a bit, I saw a ripped up sign being carted away and 2 other signs being dragged along the ground by the ProtestWarriors. A crowd of people reassembled on the outside of the rally along with the reporters.

Anyway, here is the sign that was questioned. You can decide for yourself what reaction you would have had toward it, especially if you only saw the top part.

[El Gato]

To Kristian Kristinn I say "Salute!".

sorry about that.

[daybreakcoming]

Did lots of people buy things from the Crawford merchants?

I think that answer is yes. I stood in long line to deliberately spend $101. :o)

[EmilyGeiger]

Thanks! I live in Alabama so I am very tired of Katrina coverage. They even took Rush off the air and every talk station is covering Katrina back to back.

[daybreakcoming]

There were a couple of Protest Warriors at a Houston rally who almost got escorted out because of their subtle signs....same as one of them at the Crawford rally. You had to read the whole sign to "get it".

[DrewsDad]

A Big Texas Salute to Kristinn for working in the Texas heat since Wednesday to help organize so many things and doing a wonderful job directing the program.

Another to Basil for getting this rally going and being out their all day to keep things running smoothly.

To FFforFreedom for the the great BBQ and a long day of cooking by a hot grill.

Another to TheSarce for her expertise with the electronic equipment, her wonderful flags, and the new Heart of Texas MOAB and MOAB Jr. Banners. Whoop!

And for TXBubba for her great work in keeping the Live Thread going.

To Jim Rob for trekking all the way from Fresno to join with real Americans who love our great country.

Also to so many of the HAT Chapter and HOT Chapter and all FReepers who put in a lot to make this a success.

Their dedication is so evident when you see them after the rally, barely moving from the heat exhaustion from spending all day in the hot Texas Sun and still working to get things done.

Here's to you FreeRepublic for making a statement in support of our troops. May they be encouraged to stay, fight, and win the War on Terror.