WRAMC FReep #68: WHY WE FREEP!

08/08/2006 | PleaDeal

[PleaDeal]

This week's report is (almost) entirely stolen from a wounded warrior in residence at Walter Reed (Elijah), and from a Veteran on temporary assignment here in D.C. (Citizen SMASH). I just felt was waaaaaay better than winging it as usual. Enjoy!

Ashley and Megan finding their favorite signs.	Friday with FreeRepublic By Sgt. Elijah Allen, Contact Right...Taking Fire!In a war where most people have decided not to choose sides openly (ie. We Support the Troops, but We don't support the war.) it does me well to see people come out with a pair of brass balls. People choose to only to voice their opinions in the privacy of their own homes. They fear public retribution and losing face or even confrontation. They choose to pay only lip service to what they call values. Their actions don't support their stance. Not so with the people that come out to Walter Reed with the Free Republic.
tgslTakoma setting up the "Burma Shave" signs.	Many would think that it's nothing more than setting up flags, standing around, and having cars honk as they pass by. There is more than that. What most people don't see is the antagonistic attitude of the anti-war anti-Soldier crowd, they don't hear some of the rude people of D.C. saying that the war is wrong, they don't feel the tension when the asshats come strolling up the block trying to pick a fight. There is a strength and a dedication to mission that most people will never see.
JVB, Cindy-true-supporter and Sensei Ern setting up a mini MOAB.	While the severely wounded are loading up the bus to go to a Fran O'Briens style dinner, the Free Republic members are assembling flags, manning signs, and greeting Soldiers as they leave the gate of Walter Reed. And still the asshats haven't even shown up. Where is their dedication to mission? You can't find that in a protein drink. I know on Friday, when I walk across the helipad that there will be American flags and signs of support waiting for me at the gate. I know that when I clear the gate that I will be greeted with a firm handshake and a warm smile. That means so much more than a person that says they are looking out for me and my Soldiers, but they don't think we are meeting our mission in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Author/Photographer Elijah scoping out the Pinkos surrounding SMASH.	I see the work that goes on with the Free Republic. To most it is Georgia Avenue, Washington D.C., but to the trained eye it is a one block war. There are direct action roles, service and support roles. The Free Republic defending the dignity of the Soldiers inside of Walter Reed while the asshats try to persuade the public that we got what we deserved for following what they view as a flawed administration. There is a constant campaign to define the two groups; the Free Republic standing by it values, American and patriotic values, and the asshats manipulating the public into trying to see things their way. Provocation and response.
	I am grateful for everything that the Free Republic has done in support of the troops. Just to crest that hill and know that I am not walking into the enemy's side is a relief that I cannot describe. To know that we are appreciated for what we do, to do what the asshats down the block will never volunteer to do, means so much. And the friendship they have given means the most. Thank you Free Republic.

On behalf of all in attendance, THANK YOU, ELIJAH! and all of your brothers and sisters in arms who we love and support.

Honor roll of attendance: 2nd Class Citizen, 3D-Joy, BlackRepublican, Albion Wilde, Bill * from MD, BillF, Cindy-true-supporter, Citizen SMASH, Daughter of TGSL & friend Amanda, Elijah (WR), Fraxinus, Gretchen15, Jack Deth, Jenny* from VA, Jimmy Valentine’s brother, Lauren* from VA, Mike Sparling (father of Joshua Sparling, well-known, much written about, WR patient), PleaDeal, Russell* from CA, Sensei Ern, Ty*, and tgslTakoma. Also, Justin (Marine WR patient), his Dad Pete, his Mom Paulette, his sisters (identical twins) Megan and Ashley, and the sisters’ friend, Danny.

Citizen SMASH has also written a wonderful thread from last week, Friday at Walter Reed. I'm only snagging some of his report. Go read the whole thing at the link above or on his milblog Mr. SMASH Goes to Washington. Citizen SMASH and Justin	I ARRIVE EARLY at Walter Reed, to help the Freepers and friends set up their large banners expressing support for the military. As we're getting established, a car full of soldiers in civilian clothes leaving the hospital grounds pulls up, and one of them asks what our purpose is. When I tell him, they all smile, and tell us how much it means to them that someone is showing some appreciation for what they do. The passenger in back has a cast on his arm; he tells me he was injured in Iraq while serving with the 101st Airborne Division. Next I have the pleasure of meeting Justin, a Marine who was severely wounded in Iraq, and now is confined to a wheelchair. His entire family has joined the rally, including his lovely twin sisters, who are a big hit with the passing soldiers. Justin wants to talk about the good times, including the antics of his former commanding general, the legendary James N. Mattis (who has gotten in trouble a couple of times for his "candor"). He also tells me about meeting R. Lee Ermey, the drill sergeant from Full Metal Jacket, who attended several of his unit's Marine Corps Birthday Balls. "How tall are you, Marine?"
Citizen SMASH is gonna need a shower...	Finally, I head down the block to see what's going on at the Code Pink protest site. I don't see any of the high-profile members (they're apparently all over in Jordan, trying to make peace with some Iraqi parliamentarians), so I look for someone who might be interested in a little dialogue. I warm up by saying "hi" to Megan from last week, which helps establish me as a non-threatening figure. ...We’re interrupted a couple of times by drive-by hecklers. I ask her why she thinks people are angry about them protesting outside the hospital. She says that they are ignorant and scared. “They want desperately to believe in... the lies that our government has told us... that somehow by occupying Iraq, we are spreading democracy.” Mom claims that the “people over there” (she points to the Freepers) are “the opposite of a patriot” because they “just sit on the sidelines” and let the government “do whatever it is they want to do,” instead of “getting educated” about all the horrible things for which our country is responsible.
Jenny* from VA and Bill* from MD under a banner that says it all!	...As we're cleaning up, one of the men tells me that it's much more impressive from inside the bus -- he was one of those wounded soldiers a few months earlier -- they really appreciate having someone out there to show some support. I know what I'm doing every Friday night for the next couple months. If you're in town, come join me. It's time well spent.

THANK YOU, SMASH!!!

	Here's some more pics. These two were taken by Gretchen15.
Gretchen15 and Sensei Ern	tgslTakoma, Amanda*, 3D-Joy, Elijah and Jimmy Valentine's Brother

Me being creative with BlackRepublican as model.

A more 'standard' pic of the young model.

Fraxinus and Russell* from CA

We'll be back out at Walter Reed next Friday night, August 11th, from 6:30 until at least 10-ish at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Elder Street, NW in Washington, D.C. Let the troops know that regular Americans aren't too busy with TV, ball games, movies and other recreation to show their thanks and support to our brave troops and to peacefully counter America-hating moonbat-Pinkos.

Maybe you can't come every week, but please make it your patriotic duty to join us at least once in the near future. This FReep is rewarding, fun, and important for our troops and our nation.

If you read this thread, how you can doubt the importance of this FReep?

As always, the DC Chapter's rules for protesting will be in effect. Briefly, they are: No violence. No profanity. No racism. No provocations. Obey the law. Treat all law enforcement officers with respect.

Keeping the BIG LIST: All DC Chapter Walter Reed FReeps - c/o BufordP.

[PleaDeal]

Ping to WR FReep #68 - Written by Vets!

[PleaDeal]

Extend-o-Ping to WR FReep #68 - Written by Vets!

FReepmail me if you want on/off this list.

[SandRat]

Never said better

[Trteamer]

Excellent!

[Ouderkirk]

What a pleasure to read. Godspeed to all of you.

[NormsRevenge]

The folks at the FR Nascar race threads and so many more at FR say Thank You to all of those at Walter Reed that have served and sacrificed so much, that the rest of us may live free.

God's Blessings on All of you.

[Chode]

bump...

[hsalaw]

Many thanks for the ping! I enjoyed reading these reports of the FReep. I really hope they know we DO care, we DO appreciate all they've done for us, and we WILL NEVER QUIT on them.

[freema]

Wonderful!

[Landry Fan]

bump.

[Fawnn]

Canteen ping!

[maica]

Very stylish report. Thanks for your work.

[trooprally]

PleaDeal -

Excellent thread and pics. It's great to hear from our soldiers how they feel about FR being at WR. I hope any trolls on FR take note of it.

Sounds like we missed a real good Friday FReep. But we will be seeing you all this Friday.

Reminder to everyone - ANSWER is in D.C. this coming Saturday. I believe Concretebob has our/Protest Warrior's permits. We'll be in Olney, hopefully giving the Quakers a final blow to their anti-troop demonstrations.

[Mr] T

[trooprally]

Canteen ping!

Now that's a compliment PleaDeal. Congratulations!!

[Mr] T

[potlatch]

Wonderful post and pictures PleaDeal, thank you!

[Incorrigible]

What an inspriation you all are.

I was happy to protest the NY Times in front of their offices in NYC for their treason. I can dream that I'll be in DC in person some day but for now, I'm glad you guys are there.

[Radix]

(ie. We Support the Troops, but We don't support the war.)

 

The Troops get seriously aroused when they read this sort of utter BS!

 

WelI I heard a rumor.

 

I also heard that it might be a good idea to invest money in the New York Times stock.

[Citizen SMASH]

Thanks for the report, and you're welcome to include my narrative anytime!

For those of you who missed it, go to my site to hear the audio of my conversations with the soldiers passing by, Justin the Marine, and "Mom" of Code Pink.

[Sisku Hanne]

What a great report and yet another set of wonderful pics!
Awesome to see BlackRepublican again! BTW, don't let that sweet face fool you. He & Iraqikurd gave the Pinkos a righteous smackdown one night. Clueless old commies had their beebers stuned, LOL!