Rally on Mall supports troops (Free Republic mentioned)

Washington Times ^ | 09/24/06 | Tarron Lively

[conservative in nyc]

Backers of the war on terrorism rallied on the Mall yesterday for the second annual Support the Troops and Their Mission Weekend in Washington.

A crowd estimated at between 70 and 100 people waved U.S. and military flags as they listened to speeches by family members of soldiers and representatives of groups such as FreeRepublic.com, the sponsor of the rally; Project 21; and Military Families Voice of Victory.

Kristinn Taylor, co-founder and spokesman for the D.C. chapter of Free Republic, moderated the event, which honored Gold Star and Blue Star families.

"The myth is that we've all come together after 9/11, which isn't entirely true," he said. "The left [wing] is the left. It will always attack America first, will always blame America first, will always work with our enemies to bring down America.

"So, we made a vow that we would not allow the anti-American left to do to this country and this generation of our military what they did to them during Vietnam, and we've kept that vow for five years now," he said.

Mychal Massie, a member of Project 21, a network of black conservatives, agreed.

U.S. troops "place service to America before service to themselves, realizing that service to America is indeed service to us all," Mr. Massie said. "They need to know that we support their families, their friends and, most of all, their children. ...Tomorrow's freedom rests on their [children's] shoulders."

Richard August of North Kingstown, R.I., whose son, Matthew, was an Army captain killed in Iraq two weeks before his 29th birthday in 2004, said he doesn't regard his son's death as a tragedy.

[nutmeg]

Thank you for that Diana Irey Video link in #94!

[nutmeg]

Congratulations, kristinn, DC Chapter devoted workers, and all who attended Saturday's rally. Many hundreds of visitors to DCs monuments heard our message and saw our flags and banners. The site was ideal for catching the attention of visitors.

Dittos to that. Perfect site for a rally... the tourists nearby had no choice but to listen. And who could miss that huge MOAB? ;-)

[nutmeg]

"Zelig" and I were honored to participate in the Support the Troops and Their Mission rally (and dinner afterward) in Washington DC this past Saturday. It was a thrill to see Jim Robinson (and Syncro!) again as well, all the way from California. Kristinn, tgslTakoma and the DC Chapter did an amazing job in pulling together this event, and several other events during the weekend that we unfortunately could not attend.

Speakers at the rally on Saturday were Diana Irey, who is running for Congress in PA against John "Cut 'n Run" Murtha, FR's own Trueblackman and a hilarious and patriotic comedian named Evan Sayet. Most moving were speeches by Gold Star and Blue Star family members. Kristinn concluded the rally with a very beautiful and solemn tribute to soldiers who have lost their lives in the course of duty.

Check out the following posts on this thread:

Great photo of Jim Robinson with Diana Irey at the rally: #13

Comedian Evan Sayet (click link for info and video): #16

Kevin Martin's speech (video link, about 11:55 min): #49

Diana Irey's speech (video link, about 6:10 min): #54

Text of Diana Irey's speech: #74

Short video clip of Diana Irey's speech, and some photos of rally: #94

[DollyCali]

Thanks for the report/thread conservative in nyc; the ping Nutmeg & all the comments. I am still frustrated about not being with you all last weekend.. Too many weird/ugly variables in my life for now

Syncro.. hang on to that shirt sweetie. we will have another shirt trade! You may just see me when you don't expect!

I haven't gone to the links but I will when there is more time in the next few days. Looking forward to the after action report (or is this it?) with pix..

[DollyCali]

That is so good to know re: the outreach of the excellent sound system.

I frankly am a bit sad that more of the "close" people from FR didn't make the effort to be there. I am 6 hours away & had my van been out of shop (IT IS STILL IN) I would have been there.. and there are MANY FReepers who are an hour or less away who didn't make this a priority.

I guess I am too often Pollyanna.. but anytime there is an easy chance to be with fellow FReepers is an honor & a joy. And to have such a good cause... well double the pleasure.

[DollyCali]

Thanks for the sneak preview of pix

I will be at the sunday rally in Penn. I am riding with antoher local FReeper..

[Syncro]

OK, I'm ready when you are!

[DollyCali]

:^)

Guess I blew it a couple times for our "reunion" (not my fault.. crappy, beater cars)... so you will have to await my visit to your coast

[Bob J]

Sink,

Will there be an after action report with pics?

[stand watie]

!!!!!!!

GREAT to MEET you!

free dixie,sw

[conservative in nyc]

To clarify, to me it was just a thread. I didn't make it down to Washington.

[Albion Wilde]

Great to meet you, Nutmeg and Zelig!!

[MoochPooch]

Great! Congratulations.

[firebrand]

Great sound bite, kristinn. Good work, all.

[BufordP]

I thought all of the speeches were pretty good ... except for that guy from Maine. His was a real yawner.

155½ posted on 09/28/2006 8:01:43 PM EDT by BufordX (I have a "RUN Susan Collins" sticker on my front bumper)

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To: tgslTakoma

nutmeg is the only one who pinged me to this thread. What am I - chop liver?

Don't answer that.</HARUMPH>

[BufordX]

I thought all of the speeches were pretty good ... except for that guy from Maine. His was a real yawner.

nutmeg is the only one who pinged me to this thread. What am I - chop liver?

Don't answer that.</HARUMPH>

[armymarinemom]

One can only do so much without a pink gorilla.

[metesky]

Big "Peace March" in Bangor Saturday...

[armymarinemom]

Big "Peace March" in Bangor Saturday...

I just heard this on the radio. I guess it goes along with the folks who got themselves arrested while I was gone. What I did miss was a time for the local granola parade.

[metesky]

Here's the time and some propaganda to go along with it.

This full page ad appeared in today's Bangor Daily Snooze. I checked the list for neighbors...