I took the opportunity to observe the various elements and parties involved in the event at Bethesda Naval Hospital and to note the part they played.
The dedicated Freepers of the DC Chapter decided it was necessary to counter the most egregious protest mounted by the Phelps Clan. They obtained a permit and planned the event. Several Freepers from out of the area responded to the invitation to come add to the weight of the DC Chapter.
There were two primary groups involved in the days events and a host of minor groups and individuals. The Phelps group were gathered at the end of the very long block as far away from the facility gate as could be and still be adjacent to the grounds. Their permitted area was against the iron fence, on the sidewalk and extended up the street to a line drawn by the police with yellow tape across the side walk.
Up the street , nearer but not right adjacent to the gate was another yellow taped line and three officers. This line marked the Free Republic permitted area. To my eye, it appeared to be at least twice the area of the protesters.
The yellow tape demarcated the assigned areas and also restricted pedestrian traffic up and down the sidewalk. Casual walkers were directed across the street so as not to get mixed up with either of the groups. There were several people who showed up and learning what was happening picked up signs or flags and joined out FR group for a while. The opportunity was just too great to resist.
It was also important to mark off the side walk because there was an even larger group to use the side walks that beautiful Saturday. There was a “Walk for Breast Cancer “ I believe sponsored by Avon that had many, many participants that lasted the whole time. They were directed by the police across the street to avoid both of the other groups. They were mostly all women and mostly all young women. There was a certain amount of consternation among some Freepers who were disturbed by the waving of hands and shouts of support coming from the pink clad walkers. Their path took them right by the bad guys. The shouting began at what seemed near the Phelps freaks. The approval waving and shouting continued as they past the Freep site and it was concluded that they began yelling approval as soon as they actually saw the Freep line and all the waving American flags. Their disgust with the obscene was replaced with relief and gladness when they saw all the flags and counter protest signs.
Then there was Rolling Thunder. Perhaps it is wrong not to consider them primary because there were a lot of them and the weight of their literal thunder is extremely impressive. They roared up and down the street a few times, stopping once directly in front of the bad guys and gave a fortissimo concert of full throated, ground shaking motorcycle engines. The police then told them to cease and presumably directed them to a parking place. The dismounted motorcycle cops then marched (escorted ) them across the street and up the block across from the Freep line. They then stopped traffic and allowed the Rolling Thunder brigade to cross to join us.
Another group with numerous members present was the police. I’m not certain exactly who they were. I think they were Montgomery County Sheriff’s officers but there were some vehicles labeled “Police” . They were present in Force. There were several regular officers who manned the yellow tape lines effectively preventing the opportunity for thee two demonstrating groups to converse. They also enforced the street and if someone ventured into the street for too long asked to get back on the sidewalk. There was a squad of riot police in full gear including lexan shields and batons that literally cadence marched from their assembly area to and area across the street form the Freepline. The area was chosen not because it was across from us, but because it was large enough to provide room for them all. There were some motorcycle officers who were tasked with Rolling Thunder. They dismounted and escorted the group on foot as they passed by the bad guys, crossed to the other side of the street and up to the Freep area where they crossed back across the street to join us. Across from the Phelps group was a mounted patrol of I believe three horses and riders. Some might say there was overkill. Some might say it was On the Job training. Others might and did say thanks guys.
Keeping in mind that the events took place on the street, the turf of Montgomery county, the back boundary was the iron fence, across which was the hospital, presumably a military reservation and the turf of hospital security. There was a lone hospital security SUV that patrolled the large grassy fields behind both groups. We were literally surrounded.
There was a freelance reporter there. He had been at the Walter Reed Hospital Freep the night before and was at the Correspondents dinner later Saturday as well. I’m not sure of his objective but he spent a lot of time observing and interviewing Freepers. I’m told his name was Kevin and a good guy.
There was a crew of 4 or 5 TV types. The arrived early on and took shots of the DC Chapter erecting banners and setting up. They then went down to get their footage of the bad guys. They didn’t stay very long. They came back to the American zone and stayed the rest of the day. The arrival of Rolling Thunder and their colorful individuals provided good TV and interviews. I don’t think they ere news types. I think they were doing a documentary for the Hospital.
I think there were other press people present but not major and certainly not bigtime TV.
So what was the point of it all? Was it worth all the time and energy and money?
That brings up the biggest group. These were the motorists who drove up and down the heavily traveled street. They were the primary recipients of the messages. The Phelps clan presented churlish faces and garish dayglo pink and green signs that offended both the eye and the mind. Graphic depictions of homosexual conduct are repulsive.
Freepers presented an overwhelming message of red, white and blue….. many many flags rippling in the good breeze. There were many positive signs and smiling faces. Some said “Honk if……” and the drivers responded. There were simple toot toots and many prolonged toots. There were lots of waves and thumbs up. It would be wrong to say that all who passed were in agreement, but there were several periods when the honking was near continuous. The motorists probably did not know what the Phelps clan was protesting but the Freeper counter message was abundantly Ameican and clear There are American Troops that need to be supported.
Lastly, there were groups who were not present. There were no Bethesda Naval Hospital patients present to receive the vile message from the Phelps Clan. Given the fact their area was far from the gate it is reasonable to assume practically no one inside the fence was even aware of the event.
Most importantly there was no Media. The event went unreported. It did not clutter the TV news. The vicious antiwar media establishment in DC ignored the Phelps Clan.
There was a lesson from the Bethesda Naval Hospital Freep of June 29, 2006. The Phelps had their 15 seconds in the spotlight and that time is over. The Phelps Clan is but a very minor footnote in American History..
Perfect addition, Bert!
You wrote such an extensive report and ended with a great conclusion that I recommend you edit the date you mistakenly wrote, ask a mod to delete that post and repost it with the correct date - April 29.
Thanks for being there and describing your observations and insights so well.
.....There was a lesson from the Bethesda Naval Hospital Freep of June 29, 2006......
Actually, the lesson was learned on April 29, 2006 not June.
Bad Bert, Bad Bert.
The mental image brings such a smile to my face!
Wunnerful wunnerful, wunnerful!
Another great FReep!
Thanks to all who attended to support our troops.
As for Phelps and his evil spawn: they are losing steam. The press is ignoring them. Maybe they'll get the message and crawl back under their incestuous rock.
A fine report, bert! Thank you so much for making the trip all the way from Tennessee. It was great to meet you and FReep with you! You were a "Threeper" -- three FReeps in one weekend -- in this case, over one 28-hour period.
I reported you as coming from NC, but Albion says TN? I'm sorry I got it wrong!