Week 59: FR Still Getting It Done at Walter Reed

06/08/06 | PleaDeal

[PleaDeal]

Something special happens every Friday at the front gates of Walter Reed. It is sometimes really exciting, like throwing CodePink off its corners or watching "Squeegee" wet himself with fright at an approaching Rolling Thunder member. But more often than not it's simply being honored by a visit from one of the wounded warriors from inside the hospital. When one of these truely special people comes out to thank us for being there... it's just a humbling, happy experience. June 2nd was one of those quiet, satisfying FReeps.

The big surprise was the most welcome return of Landry Fan!

Landry's been going stir crazy and needed to get back to what she does so well: Supporting the Troops! From her blog entry of the evening: "There were lots of honks of support and thumbs up from cars driving by. Some grateful soldiers stopped by to thank us for being there. One injured soldier, the father of two, said he would return to Iraq in a heartbeat." Welcome back, FRiend! We've missed you.

We had more than twice as many patriotic supporters than the traitorous Pinkos managed to gather (23 to 10). The honor roll of attendance (lurkers marked with *):

AppyPappy (w/Mrs. and two kids), BillF, BufordP, Cindy-True-Supporter, Fraxinus, Gavin*, Jack Deth, Jimmy Valentine's Brother, Just A Nobody, Kristinn, Landry Fan, Lauren (PW), Mary*, PleaDeal, StayTrue, tgslTakoma, Son & Daughter-of-tgslTakoma, and Trooprally [Mr. and Mrs.].

Unless iMacMan or bmwcyle come back, Mrs. Trooprally has taken over the top spot for "Top Shot". Her new camera is so good (go ahead, say it - "How good is it?") it can gross you out with fine images of hippy hair on Pinko wymyn's manly legs. All of the pics here are Mrs T's with the exception of the few blue-bordered ones that were taken by my soon to be dumped camera. You can see all the photos here.

Since lurker Bill from MD couldn't make it, BillF held his sign so he'd be with us in spirit.

Fraxinus contemplates Old Glory.

Fraxinus, BillF, Lauren, Mrs. Trooprally and Staytrue on SE Corner.

BufordP making a point?

The Pinkos managed a paltry turnout.

Bruce's watch must be fast 'cause he showed up a full 10 minutes early. Maybe he knew the, er, "manly one" was going to be replaced by something not quite so hirsute?

At least they're staying on message!

Well, I really blew it. I didn't copy the pics from Trooprally's photobucket page, and now I appear to have exceeded the limit for views. I managed to catch a few of them, but not nearly enough.

Since I don't have BillF's or Albion Wilde's gift for prose, I'll just include this little rant aimed at those who have been maligning the USMC.

Come out this Friday and join us in celebrating our Troops.

 

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Get a copy of the Front Page of today's The Washington Times. Mount it and print WELL DONE AND THANKS underneath.

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Your in charge of Colorado!

Continue to man your post in the outstanding manner that you have shown in the past.

[MountainDad]

Thanks for the heads-up!
I love that photo from my hometown paper that shows the wounded Marine giving the finger to the bad guys while being treated by the Nebraska National Guard troops. I sent that paper to my son who promptly hung it on his wall.
Good luck to all at Reed June 9th!

[Albion Wilde]

HEY CODE PINK
NOW THAT AL-ZARQAWI IS DEAD
WHO'S GOING TO CASH YOUR CHECKS?

LOL!!!

[Albion Wilde]

You folks are going to have some fun with those America haters this week! They will be positively ferklempt(sp?)over the death of their hero Zarqawi.

Yes, they are having a strategy meeting even as we speak:

[Albion Wilde]

Code Pink's totally ferklempt strategy sessions (Let's try this again):

[Landry Fan]

Thanks, Coop! Somehow I missed this message the first time around. Maybe b/c of my glee about Zarqawi's demise.

I won't be able to be at Walter Reed tonight. I still have to take things slow.

[Coop]

Understood. Get some rest!

[Landry Fan]

I will do my best to rest up.

I'll have to rely on feedback about tonight's freep from some of the regulars, like those I pinged and many more.

[trooprally]

Please get better.
It was great seeing yo smile out there last week.
[Mrs T]

[Landry Fan]

Thank you, Mrs. T. Have fun tonight and tell us all about it.

[WVNan]

He's a true soldier.

Tell that true soldier that I bless him, I appreciate him, I love him and I thank him. May God protect him. And thank you for your loving sacrifice as well. ((((hugs)))) to both of you.

[WellsFargo94]

Thank you so much!! Your sacrifice is not forgotten either. And please pass along my appreciation to your husband.

Will do, and thank you very much.

[WellsFargo94]

Thank you for your support. It really means everything to my husband and to myself. If only I could tell everyone what our family has been through, he's fine and is still over there serving proudly, but it's been a whole different story of what has occured back here at home. Put it this way, the top top brass wanted to send him home to be with us, and I said "No Way the unit needs him more". It is my devotion to my husband, this war, and the other troops, and our country, that set my determination to have him stay put. And it wasn't to further his career, as he is not in a critical position any longer, not like most. My husband cleared it with me before he said, "are you sure?" and then finally resigned himself and said, "thank you." I haven't regretted my decision despite the hardships. It's only for one year.

During WWII families sacrificed years and years, and a whole lot more. I remember the stories that my grandmother and mother told me. They were honored to be a part of making the world a better place, and they gave up so much more than I have ever done.

Thank you all for your support. It makes a huge difference to be able to come to this site and see Patriotism and Pride. Too bad that so many others are missing out on this easy, selfless act of kindness.

I appreciate all of the service members out there, as they too have sacrificed so much. Even those that put on the uniform for a short time during peace. Guess what? You've still accomplished something bigger than yourselves and something greater than most will ever even think of doing. For that I am eternally grateful to all.

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

kristinn tried to give Gail Murphy a sympathy card. Stay tuned for the AAR!

[avacado]

http://Vets4Irey.com

I just watched the video on that link you provided. Absolutely excellent. We need her in Congress! Murtha must go. He is a shame of a man.

[PleaDeal]

I appreciate all of the service members out there, as they too have sacrificed so much. Even those that put on the uniform for a short time during peace. Guess what? You've still accomplished something bigger than yourselves and something greater than most will ever even think of doing. For that I am eternally grateful to all.

WOW! Thank you for putting into words what so many of us civilians feel about our wonderful citizen soldiers! I'm truely amazed and grateful for your strength and optimism. You're an inspiration to all of us who want to WIN!

[bert]

Consider that there is not really a crowd and that most who will see her will congratulate her for her willingness to assist in such a momentous event.

By hanginging out with the DC Freepers she sets herself off as being among the best Americans in existance.

The fact they are strangers will evqporate in about 5 minutes.

The good feelings developed the evening she goes will last for a long time.

How's that?

[visualops]

Does anyone know how to get a hold of the Rolling Thunder people in DC? Their website wasn't much help. I have a friend (a biker and Air Force vet) who is going to be in DC on a mission trip and he would love to meet up with them.
Do any of you DC Chapter FReepers have a good contact email/phone or some such for him to get a hold of someone?

thanks