Posted on 03/15/2007 1:12:58 PM PDT by mdittmar
A group calling itself the Gathering of Eagles will hold a counter-protest to the "March on the Pentagon" -- an anti-war demonstration scheduled for Saturday in Washington, D.C. The Eagles, composed largely of military veterans, will gather at the Vietnam War Memorial, saying they want to ensure it is not defaced by the anti-war group.
On Jan. 28, a group of 60 anti-war protesters spray-painted anti-war slogans on the steps of the Capitol building, according to organizers of the gathering -- citing an article from The Hill, a Washington newspaper. When veterans heard Saturday's "March on the Pentagon" would include a rally in front of the Vietnam memorial, they organized to counter-protest.
"We're going down there to make sure that doesn't happen again," said Byron Scott of Eliot, Maine, an Army veteran who is heading down to Washington with 15 other Eagles from New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts.
"It irked veterans across the country that they wanted to use the Vietnam Memorial as a back-drop and that they potentially could deface that, too," he said, "because those are some of the same people that spit on the soldiers as they returned from Vietnam."
Saturday represents the fourth anniversary of the start of the Iraq war as well as the 40th anniversary of the 1967 March on the Pentagon protesting the Vietnam War. The 2007 "March on the Pentagon" is expected to draw thousands of protesters demanding the U.S. military leave Iraq. Among the marchers will be Cindy Sheehan, the anti-war activist mother of a slain soldier, and actress/political activist Jane Fonda.
The anti-war activists will gather to the east of the Vietnam memorial and walk to the Pentagon approximately two miles away. The Eagles will gather on the opposite side of the memorial, in Constitution Gardens, where they will remain until the anti-war protest is over.
While the Eagles gather in the capital, the New Hampshire chapter of Blue Star Mothers will hold it own mini-march in Concord from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The group, a national organization of mothers of soldiers, will march from the Shaw's parking lot on Fort Eddy Road to the Statehouse.
One of those marching in Concord is Natalie Healy, an Exeter woman whose son, Daniel, was a Navy SEAL who died while serving in Afghanistan. Unlike the more well-known Sheehan, Healy has been a vocal supporter of the war because, she said, she believes in the mission for which her son gave his life.
"We want to show our solidarity with the Eagles and the people protecting the memorial," said Healy. "The memorial is there to honor the 58,000 men who died in Vietnam. It took so long to get them recognized, it would be horrible for anything to happen that would dishonor them."
Scott said the idea for the counter-protest started small, but has attracted people from around the country and grown to the point where the pro-war group may outnumber the anti-war people.
"Our goal is to make sure they do not cross the line," he said. "It will be peaceful, but we're going there to show our respect for the people who died fighting for our country and make sure they are not dishonored."
"pro-war group may outnumber the anti-war people"
It's about time!
Best Freep Ever!
Thanks for being were I can't be!!!!...
I have been looking forward to attending for weeks. I’ve cleared my schedule for Saturday and told everyone I know that I would be there.
It was sunny and 82 degrees here yesterday. I felt great!
This morning it is raining and 44 degrees. It definitely kicked my arthritis. I’ve been up for over an hour and still can’t stand up straight. Tomorrow’s weather isn’t expected to be any better. I am beginning to wonder if I can make a three hour drive and a fairly long walk to The Wall.
Where are you coming from?
Newport News, Virginia
God Bless you all and stay safe.
I am with you in spirit.
wife of a Vietnam Vet.
Sorry, I'm north of Philadelphia.
Even without the drive, there’s no way I could hang out long. I uncleared my schedule for tomorrow - but will be there in spirit.
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