Honor Roll:
Albion Wilde; A Conservative Realist, Bill from MD*, BufordP, Cindy-True-Supporter, Citizen SMASH, Craig from PA* (OIF Vet), Pfc David* from Malogne House, Jimmy Valentine's Brother (JVB), Just A Nobody, Kristinn, Olney-Keith, PleaDeal, Sensei Ern, Tantor, TFroatz, tgslTakoma, Tom the Redhunter, Trooprally [Mr. & Mrs], VAFlagWaver, Zoomie81 & hubby & kids MiniZoomie and JrZoomie down from NJ.
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PleaDeal's report
The warm weather seemed to bring LOTS of folks out of the hospital. We were very honored to have at least a dozen wounded warriors and caregivers stop by and say thanks and let us shower them back with gratitude. Pfc David* hung out nearly all evening with us, which is why I included him in the list.
Another young woman, who I believe is a nurse, came out and posed with JVB and his favorite sign "Straight guys "heart" women in uniform"!
Our Dutch Public Radio guy was back asking about conditions at Building 18. I think he spoke a lot with Justa who knows more of the patients than most of us. We also had a visit from ABC News, though I didn't know it while they were there. One of our friends from inside was interviewed and actually made it onto the 11 O'Clock news!
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Bruce finally got his interview, too! ABC and the Dutch coorespondent went down and spent a loooong time with the pinkos -- none of which made it onto the news. AAAwwwwww, poor Bruce! heh.
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[Mr] Trooprally's report
AConservativeRealist, aka Lurker Adam, was once again waiting in the parking lot upon our arrival. This time though, it was 51 degrees, not the 25 degrees several weeks ago. He actually looked warm.
Wind was only slightly blowing so it was banner time again. As I was putting up the red banner on the southwest corner, I watched as the MOAB was also being put together. After a long period of wind, rain and snow, it was good to once again see the MOAB up.
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A disabled Vietnam Marine Vet was shuffling across the street with a cane just after the red banner was put up. We talked for a while the MOAB was being putting up. After it was up, the Marine read it and was happy to see our support of the troops.
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This Marine joined the Corps just as he turned 17. Finishing Basic Training and still 17, he was stationed State side. Upon reaching his 18th. birthday he was sent to Vietnam. He gets 100% disability for his injuries and PTSD. After about 20 minutes, he went into Walter Reed.
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About an hour later he came out of WR carrying a paper bag. He offered us a candy bar and being a little chilly out and being a chocoholic, I eagerly accepted it with a big Thank You. As he was starting to leave, he handed me another one and said to give it to another of our group. Offering it to several FReepers/Lurkers, no one wanted it, so I had a snack on the way home.
We also had many soldiers out tonight. Must be the warm weather. Of course anything is "warm" relative to below freezing weather with a wind chill. One soldier arrived at WR last November. He was excited about getting out to our group to Thank us. When showed the MOAB, he was almost giddy about telling us how he could see it when he was on the 6th floor ward, AND that he could read it from up there.
It was real good to see some CPAC attendees show up. I friend of [Mrs] T's and I, Zoomie81, and her family were there. The kids were having a ball with their Support the Troops dance routine. The FReepers really enjoyed their excitement.
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BufordP's report
We had just finished putting up the MOAB. I was standing in the parking lot talking with ACR when a southbound moron, while stopped at the red light, yelled out his car window to all of us, "Why don't you go over there and get killed!" Here we are holding signs saying "Support the Troops...", "Bless Our Troops...", "Our Troops Are Heros...", etc. and this idiot shouts derision. Fortunately that was the only drive-by of the evening.
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About 15 minutes later 2 lovely ladies in a PT Cruiser also stopped at the light and asked if they could have one of our small American flags. tiggles motioned for them to pull into the side street and we would provide. While they were stopped tiggles and I talked with them for awhile. Found out the woman driving had a cousin currently serving in Iraq. She said they were against the war and wanted their cousin to come home. I said I understood they wished for their cousin to be safe. But he signed up to do a job. A job he wanted to do. They agreed. In past correspondence he pretty much told them that. I said telling a soldier that you don't like him doing what he's doing is much the same as telling a fireman you don't like them putting out fires, telling a cop you don't like them catching criminals. They had never thought of it that way. I said that constant message can wear on a person after awhile. They were very receptive. I hope they left with a new perspective on the war and the job our military men and women are doing on our behalf.
After that I went over to the SW corner to spend the rest of the evening.
Over the course of the night there were only about 8 pinkos.
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If you can't get to D.C. to join us but would like to do something for the wounded, you can find a wealth of ideas by FReepmailing Albion Wilde, Cindy-True-Supporter, VAFlagwaver, or PleaDeal.
Come join us every Friday night between the hours of 6:30pm to approx 9:30pm.
Directions to our Walter Reed freep location from the Takoma Metro station
Just A Nobody's RESOURCE LINK for March 17th: Counter ANSWER's march from the Wall to the Pentagon.