I had the most awesome time - y'all are fantastic. Not ever having done something like this before (OK - I once wore a shirt supporting our troups in VN at a parade in 1965) I approached this event with just a little bit of trepedation. Still, the desire to show my support was overwhelming & I am so glad I made it. The first time a car load of soldiers leaving the post rolled down the window and shouted their "thank you" to me I thought I was going to keel over. WOW! I received salutes, waves, and lots of thanks. All evening it was a regular cacophony of shouts, horns, & hollaring. At one point I moseyed (remember, I'm from Texas - we mosey)down to the Code Pink group. Since they apparently didn't have a clue who I was, they were willing to talk. My impression was that their biggest concern was the $$$ being spent on the war. I guess they want their welfare checks increased. They agreed to let me take their picture and wanted me to photo some of their posters. Later, when the bus came it was just absolutely awesome - but then you know that. The DC Freepers are a wonderful group & even gave me a ride back to my hotel in DC. And then....
Saturday evening I flew in to the Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport. I got on the parking lot shuttle bus & then a family with 3 little kids got on after me. As the driver was helping them he noticed that they had a brace of some kind & asked if it was someone's neck brace. The father said "no", it was a back brace that belonged to his nephew who was in the Army & had been injured in Iraq. He had also had his legs very badly injured. He's about to be discharged and they had been up to Walter Reed to visit him and were bringing the brace home so he wouldn't have to carry it. Coincidentally, they were on the bus. When they came back onto the Post they noticed the supporters. He commented that you really don't understand what freedom is about until you have to fight for it. I'm so glad I came out Friday nite. Anyone in the area just really has to take the effort.
I'll be out of town the rest of the week & will try to post a few of my pictures later (they're nowhere near as good a those taken by those of you with more experience).
Sorry I missed you. Now that you found out how easy and fun it is hopefully we'll be seeing some more AAR's from Texas.
[Mr] T
A tale for the archives of Free Republic, in the category of
Freepers Everywhere Making a Difference and Sharing the News
FrogHawk, thanks for sharing your wonderful report. Maybe the family on the airport bus with you will find this website and know how many Americans here appreciate their efforts and their sacrifice.
Thanks for writing about your experiences last weekend!!!! You really captured the excitement and joy we feel every week while supporting our beloved wounded warriors and their families.
Come back soon!
What a wonderful post! I'm so glad you could join the WR event. It's really a life-changing experience.
Hey FrogHawk,
Thanks so much for representing TEXAS so well!! Maybe we can freep WR together at some point!! We have a nice Southwest contingent there at times!!
It's addicting!!! I encourage all DC folks to attend as often as possible!
Nice job to all who attended!! I'm proud to know all of you!!!