Posted on 03/09/2007 8:07:05 PM PST by batter
According to a poster (Ken) at the Gathering of Eagles Utah Page:
"I’m a member of Marines MC, ourselfs [sic] and members of the Viet Nam Vets MC/Legacy Vets MC are going to have a gathering at the State Capital in Salt Lake by the Vietnam Vet memorial at 12:00. Please join us and pass it on to friends and family.
Semper Fi, Ken"
Utah FReepers - I know many (all) of us aren't able to make it to DC on the 17th. This is our chance to gather and stand in support of those in DC.
** I believe that the Vietnam Memorial is located on the North side of the capitol due to the construction - anyone with more detail, please fill us in.
FYI
We will be in Wichita Falls, TX, on the 17th. Anybody know of anything planned there on that day?
This Eagle will be there!!
Appears that the alternative flight paths didn't work out for you to be able to come to DC. :-( But it's great that you're rousing folks in Salt Lake city! Hope you get lots of folks to turn out.
.
NEVER FORGET
The Words
http://www.Freerepublic.com/~ALOHARONNIE
The Pictures
http://www.RickRescorla.com/The%20Statue.htm
The Heroism
http://www.ArmchairGeneral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24361
http://www.ArmchairGeneral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48215
NEVER FORGET
.
I figured I will do what I can locally.
Great! I think I will bring the family and a picnic. Right now, the day is forecast to be partly sunny and mid 60's.
The Vietnam Memorial is behind the construction fence. Meeting place is now at the Office of Tourism at the southeast corner of State St. and 300 N (right in front of the Capitol Building).
Click here for an aerial/street shot - it's the building with the parking to the east.
I confirmed with the Marines Motorcycle Club folks. They will be present!
HOWEVER, the location is now at Memory Grove (map).
The time etc. remains the same.
See You there!
VIP Ping!
Just look for the guy with the loud Hawaiin shirt on....(that should narrow it down to about half the people there....:)
Mike
As you may know, the whole thing ended up at Liberty Park (Rice Pavilion) because, according to the organizer, SLC yanked permission to use Memory Grove on Friday (afternoon, I think). They had two separate individuals (the president and sergeant-at-arms) confirm Memory Grove, so there was no misunderstanding.
Rather than fight it, they switched to Liberty Park and had a couple of folks at Memory Grove send people to Liberty Park. Hopefully, they caught you.
After a minor snafu (likely thanks to Rocky's people)...the event was held at Liberty Park with about 40 (pretty much all veterans) people in attendance.
They had a three speakers (all were multiple war vets, IIRC, including Iraqi Freedom).
One talked quite a bit about complacency ending. Basically, stating we need to stand up and not let left-wing fringes and the MSM drive policy/get all the attention as they did in Vietnam. It is time to stand for our principles at work and elsewhere and not let the anti-victory people talk at the water cooler without saying "I support the war and the soldiers" (rather than just walking away and not taking a stand). IOW, the silent majority must stand up for freedom and victory.
He also stated that Jihad Jane (aka Hanoi Jane) was not truthful in her apology about her actions during Vietnam, given here recent actions in this war. He considered this another slap in the face of Vietnam Veterans (he is a Vietnam Vet).
The Iraqi vets (both are enlisted) discussed their frustration with the MSM refusing to cover all the good in Iraq (schools, electrical projects, water treatment) as well as the use of dubious stringers to get their reports while typically not venturing out of the green zone for any significant amount of time. Said the Iraq they know is far different from the one portrayed by the DBM.
They also noted that soldiers overwhelmingly support their mission and absolutely believe that they must be allowed to win. Also mentioned that they feel positive about the Iraqis.
They stated that those in Iraq do have high morale and understand that it is only a vocal fringe minority getting the attention. However, it does take a toll and the silent majority must stop being silent.
One was enlisted USAF and worked on keeping bombs and other munitions 'ready to go'. He typically worked his 13-15 hr shift and then would volunteer at the aid station at the FOB. Noted that servicemen/women consistently would go beyond the call of duty and volunteer/pitch in beyond their routine jobs. It wasn't uncommon at all to work 22 hrs.
He also said that equipment and munitions are taking a good beating (ie a bomb meant to be reliable for a few flights are getting to their 50th). He was also responsible for their care, inspection, and refurbishment. One of his best moments - he/his team managed the bomb that took out Zarqawi. Said it was a great feeling.
The vets resolved to do more and learn how to communicate to legislators at the state/fed level. Fortunately, I have lobbyist contacts who've stated they will work with these guys (I will be passing phone numbers/emails today), so I get to help out (albeit minor)!
Well, there's the quick and dirty report. Sorry, that's all I have time for. Definitely worth the hour out of a Saturday.
Conclusion: speak up, you're the majority and they need your support!
I was there and was going to take some pics but my camera died on me. One of the members of guys had a disposable camera that he let me use. I hope to get copies of the pics sent to me soon.
At least you remembered your camera. When I got there, I realized I forgot mine.
Well, I hope the guys come through with the pics. It would be nice to see how they turned out.
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