Thanks for the report.
My favorite picture of the day, so far:
Your map was interesting in that it does not represent at all what took place. I would think the police will have a major after action ass kicking because they were not in control The GOE crowd was too large and spread out to be mangeable. They did not color within the lines.
The Moonbats were pretty much contained in their ghetto, but the GEO folks were continuous all the way down Constitution Avenue from about 19th street to the 21 st street. Down in that region, all the interior walkways toward the Vietnam Wall and the Lincoln Memorial were crammed and slow as the two way stream was greater than the paths could carry.
I watched the process to understand the dynamics. The GOE types came singly and in pairs and in recognizable groups of 10 or 12. They milled about and seemingly did not know where to go except following the military adage of riding toward the gunfire, they gravitated towards the spaces around the ghetto.
It can not be understated that a primary, if not the primary goal, was to visit the wall. There were at least three very long lines several people wide waiting to pass the electronic machines to enter the wall area. The screening was intense. It apppeared the actual number at the wall was being controlled because the number there was exceedded many, many time by the number patiently waiting. This was a very important event by its self because waiting meant getting aquainted with others near by in the lines. The waiting in very long lines on the cold windy morning will be the stuff stories are made of.
When I read accounts of how many were there I laugh because there is no way to make a decent estimate of all the people moving fluidly on all the sidewalks and interior walkways. There were as many or more people moving on these several walkways as in the stationary designated gathering points.
Having attended one or two other moonbat parades where we were truly outnumbered by a very very large margin, I was flabbergasted at the GOE turnout. Awesome is not a term I use, but the Gathering of Eagles was AWRSOME.
I noted above that it seemesd as if people did not know where to go or perhaps what to do. The fact is, it didn't matter. It was cold, but it was sunny and nice. It didn't matter where they went because they were there in a massive show of bodies dedicated to sending a message and it was obvious beyond any doubt they were suceeding.
The opportunity to gather with buddies and other groups of like minded knots of people may be with out precedent. The opportuntity to put on the stuff, the black leathers or camo adorned with riotus color of patches and medals and insignia, and to see thousands of others similarly dressed must be an important life time event. This is especiallly true when the individuals in the mass can vocally vent against the miserable yellow sign carrying moonbats.
It is dangerous to overestimate the significance of one day's events, but today may have been a tipping point. Thousands came out on a blustery day, probably for the very first time, to protest the antiwar types. They had a very good time. They met plenty of likeminded souls. They waved flags, they prayed, they cried.
Next year? Wouldn't missit....... that will be the thoughts in thousands of minds.
Thanks so much for that poignant description. You made the day come to life without a single picture!
Hi there Bert.. thanks for your first hand report & great comments & MOST OF ALL.. thanks for being there for us!
'...today may have been a tipping point..'
I pray so! It's time. People who love America and the heroes who defend her are tired of the liberal media and government officials who put down our country and our troops for the sake of political correctness.
WELL SAID...!!!
"The opportunity to gather with buddies and other groups of like minded knots of people may be with out precedent. The opportuntity to put on the stuff, the black leathers or camo adorned with riotus color of patches and medals and insignia, and to see thousands of others similarly dressed must be an important life time event. This is especiallly true when the individuals in the mass can vocally vent against the miserable yellow sign carrying moonbats."
http://www.freedominion.ca/phpBB2/images/avatars/1746.jpg
...YEP....
Great assessment, I concur. I've been to several of these events merely as an interested citizen who happens to live nearby. They began in 1999 or 2000 and were regarding WTO policy, environment issues, general theatre, anarchy, etc.
All of this has morphed into the anti-war/hate Bush nonsense we see today. This is the first time I've attended with the definite awareness that I was not completely outnumbered. I actually saw TWO veterans on the Metro into DC, and NO hoodlums. This NEVER happens.
It would be great to complete the turn in an educational sense, where the majority of the population is re-introduced to the logic that this is NOT President Bush's war, but the BATTLE for IRAQ in the War on Terror by the 5th anniversary in March 2008. Perhaps it will also help what appears to be positive momentum on the ground in Baghdad.
These 'anti-war' folks seem determined for a constant War on Freedom, so we must continue to stand up and fight as the 'Silent Majority'. Islamic fascists are quite bent on a caliphate, we must not falter.
> but today may have been a tipping point <
I hope so. To see the Viet Nam Vets standing up for the next generation, though no one stood up for them, was a truly moving experience. No one should let the valor, faith, honor, and humility of those men go unanswered.
This should be more than a tipping point, it should generate a tsunami of support for those who served then and those who serve now. I hope the defenders of the republic stand up and scatter the appeasers, anarchists, and socialists.
Thanks, bert, for being there and giving those of us who weren't an excellent representation of how things went.
Your description of today's events is why I have been up since 4 a.m.--when it became obvious the sleet beat us--til now. This has been a totally awesome day in every way--the sight of all those Veterans so uplifting--you can feel the camaraderie as you look at the photos--and read the posts.
And don't forget, we haven't even heard from Kristinn or Jim Robinson yet and so many of the others who were there. I know Tired of Laundry's home page is true--a clean house is a sign of a broken computer--at least it will be this week. Blessings on all who gave their all today--again! You are our true American heroes--and today we finally got to tell you all that! God Bless America.
Thanks for the report.
My favorite picture of the day, so far:
Your post is a keeper. Thank you very much for the thoughtful comments of this historical day.
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Bumping your post. I have never, really and truly, ever been so awestruck. The line of flags, so many people everywhere I turned, the sense of honor, the sense of courage, and the sense of commitment that permeated the air was beyond description. This day was an answer to many years of prayer. I am not ashamed to admit I cried the first thirty minutes and several times after. I will
NEVER FORGET
being surrounded
by such an immense liberating freedom
by such magnificent warriors
in the midst of this 'battle'
...the wonder and awe of this day.
I am sorry my words can not do justice to the day. I am still struck dumb and blinded by tears.
You caught the spirit of the day very well. Thank you. I say that as one who arrived in a pair and wandered around, not quite knowing where to go, except to see the wall. 