Walter Reed FReep #96 - The Bus Stops Here

February 19, 2007 | Tom the Redhunter

[bmwcyle]

IBTP

[Doctor Raoul]

Notice that the Code Pinko are deserting their vigil. They had to rig their banner with poles so one person could use it. There ranks are down for the really rank Pinkos.

[bluesagewoman]

Thank you.

[pissant]

Big thumbs up!!

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Those who live hundreds of miles from Washington appreciate your standing in the gap for all of us.

[hsalaw]

Many thanks for the great pictures, for the AAR, and most importantly for all that you do to support our wounded heros and their courageous families by letting them know how much we all care about them and appreciate all they've done for us. And the bus STOPPED this time! so that you could talk to our troops! What a wonderful moment that must have been! I'm just a lurker at these FReeps (since I live in California), but I really look forward to your reports, pictures, and particularly the pics of the bus returning to WR. God bless you for all you do for our wounded heros.

[Tom the Redhunter]

It was a wonderful moment indeed.

Thank you everybody for your kind words.

[Mr. Keys]

Thanks! Great job as always. I'm looking forward to meeting all of you. I'm moving back there from AZ. in April and will be joining you.

[trooprally]

Absolutely a great night, best night since concretebob kicked the moonbats off the WR gate corners. We missed that night so this is the best for [Mrs] T and I.

My best decision in a while was tonight, when I joined Lurker Bill on the southeast corner. He was by himself, holding the banner's supports because the wind was playing havoc with all the banners. He was partially hidden by a tall traffic signal box and was behind some cars, not nearly as visible as he normally is. And there was no flag on his corner. While there, a car drove by and yelled to those on the NE corner that the buses were coming. We eagerly watched for the buses, knowing that soon we'll be breaking down and getting warm.

Several buses stopped two blocks from us and several feeble, unsure calls that the Walter Reed buses were in view were heard. But they stopped two blocks away. Are they OUR buses or metro buses. The first looked white, but the wind kept our eyes watering and unclear. I'm not sure about the others, but Lurker Bill and I were confused.

Then they started up and came towards us, the yells of "buses, buses" now being loudly heard among the FReepers. Strangely, the inside lights that normally go on when they are several hundred feet from us, didn't come on, and they were in the wrong lane to turn into WR. Now we were really confused. Do we all have hypothermia and are hallucinating?

Then the buses stopped!! With the small bus besides Lurker Bill and me! Jeez, we were dumb founded as what was going on. The inside lights came on and the door to the both bus opened. We waved to the troops inside, getting eager waves back. We were again surprised that the driver motioned for us to come over. Lurker Bill couldn't let go of the banner support so I walked over to see what was up.

At that time, a lady from the big came over and said several of us can go onto the buses. There is a GOD!! I called over to the other corner and they quickly came over. The lady tried to say that only two or three could get on, but the FReepers and Young Republicans overwhelmed the buses.

[Mrs] T, I and a Young Republican were among the first of our group to get onto the big bus. Once we got up the steps, the troops and their families erupted into a loud round of applause for us, FOR THE FREEPERS, LURKERS AND OTHERS WHO STAND THERE EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT! (one minute, screen getting blurry just like Friday night). I mean, everyone on the bus was applauding for their FRiday night supporters who braved a few hours of cold while their lives have been changed forever. Looking down the inside of the bus at the troops, it looked like it went on forever with clapping troops. Overwhelming is the only way I can describe it.

Being surprised and not being as quick as our silver-tongue Kristinn, I didn't t say anything memorable, just that we support them. [Mrs] T did better than I did and thanked them for their sacrifice, telling them that Friday nights are the least we can do for them. It seemed that those who got to talk to the soldiers said something different, so they received real heart-felt words. No talking points here.

We didn't forget Lurker Bill. I offered to hold the banner for him so he could go into the buses. He graciously declined. I guess with the swarm of Freepers already there, he felt he didn't need to go. Lurker Bill is a real stand-up person. At both WR and at Olney he puts up the blue banner, most of the time by himself, and holds his post in all types of weather, and quietly leaves afterwards. He is also part of Soldiers' Angels.

[Mrs] T and I were also able to get onto the little bus and thank the troops. When [Mrs] T mentioned that our Marine son was soon to go to Iraq, they wished him the best of luck.

The Trooprallys

[trooprally]

Great report. Thanks for taking time from your day off to compile it.

[Mr] T

[trooprally]

Ping to the D.C. Chapter. Tom has another great report.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

THANKS, ALL YOU HEROES!

[Albion Wilde]

Great report, Tom the Redhunter!

Just a couple of notes: We were joined by a new FReeper, Randall from Arlington, an Army reservist. Also, "Lurker Adam" is actually FReeper Black Republican.

[trooprally]

Hey Takoma, we need this brand of Hot Chocolate, not the store brand!!

Spirit - With the buses stopping, make that humble heroes.

[Mr] T

[trooprally]

"Also, "Lurker Adam" is actually FReeper Black Republican."

My mistake.

[Mr] T

[Spiff]

Great report! Awesome support for the troops.

[Atomic Vomit]

Thank you so much - all of you DC and other FReepers who are so faithful at WR. The fact that you guys are there every week no matter the weather or conditions underfoot speaks volumes to those wounded soldiers. Many of them are there for months and months, and I know it does them so much good to see you guys. It helps them heal better, I guarantee you. What you all have been doing has a long and far-reaching ripple effect on so many people - these guys will be telling their grandchildren about your love and support of them, and maybe it will spark their grandchildren to behave in as selfless a way. People are talking about it in Iraq, yeah and in Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa and in every other hellhole these guys willingly go to for us.
We hope to meet you all there some day soon, and thank you for being there for us, too.
Mrs.AV

[AGreatPer]

I am just so proud of all you heavy lifters in the DC area.

Thank You.

[DollyCali]

great job as usual.. and what a treat to get on the bus & have some exchanges with the troops/family

Good Going DC chapter!