Posted on 06/07/2006 9:47:04 PM PDT by 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!
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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.
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 Fraxinus contemplates Old Glory. |
Fraxinus, BillF, Lauren, Mrs. Trooprally and Staytrue on SE Corner.
 BufordP making a point? |
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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? |
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At least they're staying on message! |
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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.
THANK YOU, Sisku Hanne! I love the way you write :)
Thank you for your support and kind words!!!
God bless the FReepers who pull this duty to help support our wounded troops!
Am I just a doofus? I didn't know you were a FReeper!!!! I've put you on my ping list, if that's OK...
I told him he didn't have to hold a sign or even talk to anybody if he wasn't comfortable with that - in fact he could sit in the car and watch if he wanted to. He never did. He stood all night, he held a sign, and he was agog at the troops that stood nearby laughing and joking.
I told him that the very least I could do for people laying their lives on the line for me was to stand on a corner for a few hours and show them just how important they are. And lift the spirits of those driving past who have loved ones in harms way.
From my own personal perspective, I also stand there and let God use me however He sees fit. If it's just a silent prayer over those at WR and on the corners...or if it turns out to be much more (it has). I'm there, I'm open, grateful, and listening.
Hopefully your wife can put her shyness aside for one night and open her heart up to waiting possibilities. We think you're wonderful company, and we'll welcome her just as warmly - irrespective of whether she would prefer to just watch from a distance, or stand beside us.
The method for acquiring a "kitchen pass" from the wife while still satisfying her need to say "No!" is accomplished by saying the following. (Write this down and read it off a small cue card if you have to until you're able to recite verbatim WITHOUT MAKING A MISTAKE. The closer to the door leaving the house the better.)
"I'm going to the Walter Reed Freep of Code Pink. Wanna go with?"
She says "No" and out the door you go.
Don't stutter step. Don't break your stride. And for God's sake, don't turn your head and look back. Get moving or your dead meat!
P.S. You'll have an easier time getting your wife out to the Freeps after you show her pictures of you in an After-Action-Report out having a good time.
Thanks and you're welcome.
Great report, Plea Deal! You have the nose for wonderful news! Mega-pinging interested FReepers...
BTTT
Great report PleaDeal.
Please let our heroes know that while many of us cannot be standing tall for them outside the hospital, our hearts are there with them, every moment of every day.
In agreement with your rant.
Zarqawi is dead, any way of incorporating that to needle Code Pink?
Impressive story. What a brave man.
You didn't mess up you did a good job.
Thanks for posting a great report.
[Mrs T]
Bump!!
Invite her to come with...and if she chooses to sit at the computer playing games, then what can you do?
My second recommendation - and dont' laugh - is call Dr. Laura. She has a son serving. But, she might ask you some questions you dont' want to answer.
Third - I've no room to talk. My excuse is that I have a family and one of mine is in a boarding school and comes home on the weekends. Plus I'm 3 hours away. I keep thinking, one day!
Awesome photos, [Mrs] Trooprally!
You can make a date of it. Tell her you have a surprise, find a nice resturant near WR and go to the rally for a couple hours WITH HER and then to the resturant or vice versa. Make sure it is a good resturant.
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