Posted on 03/20/2007 7:00:26 PM PDT by Tom the Redhunter
Neither snow nor rain nor sleet nor gloom of night, nor all four combined can keep the Freepers from our appointed duty.
A special THANK YOU to everybody who came in from out-of-town to be with us! Many of you I know came from areas far north where the weather was much worse. Many people I spoke with told me that it was snowing that morning in their hometown when they left, and that the driving was tough the whole way down. Many I'm sure were not able to come at all. THANK YOU and we hope to see you again!
This Friday was doubly special because it was the 100th week that Free Republic has been holding rallies outside of Walter Reed! It started as a simple counter to Code Pink by a few intrepid FReepers, and has grown into a weekly pro-troops rally that we would keep doing even if the Pinkos stopped holding their protests entirely.
It started out as rain, turned into sleet, and by 8 it was snowing steadily. It rained during the day, which by evening had turned into a mixture of sleet and snow. Temps dropped from the mid-30s to just below freezing, which is about typical for this time of year for the DC area.
We decided to start an hour early because Code Pink announced that they would start at 6pm instead of their usual 7. Since we didn't want them anywhere near the entrance to the hospital, we wanted to make sure we had people there early.
When I got there at about 6:30 there were already over 20 people there with all four corners well staffed by patriotic volunteers. Here's the sight that greeted me as I drove up. The grainyness of the photo conveys the weather conditions. Thankfully I always carry a poncho in the car for just such situations.
I hoped out and quickly made my way to the "main" corner where we set up shop. There were almost a dozen people on that corner alone and I went around and spoke with each of them. It seemed that almost everybody had come in from out-of-town, the majority from places north. Impressive, given that it was much worse up in New Jersey/Pennsylvania/New York.
As you can see everyone was in their raingear
We quickly got our signs out and went to work! As usual we got a huge response from people in their automobiles. Maybe they were just amazed at our dedication, being out there in the rain and sleet, but it seemed that we got a higher number than usual of honks and waves that night
I counted heads on our side at around 8:00 and came up with about 60 people. Usually we have anywhere from 15-30, the higher number when a group like the GW College Republicans show up. 60 was a very good turnout given that the weather was so bad and that many of our regular folks stayed at home getting our flags and banners ready for Saturday's Gathering of Eagles on the Mall.
After awhile I took out my notebook and tried to record names, but had to stop after just one corner. The rain just about soaked the pages, and cold just about froze my fingers. People also came and went so I'm afraid any list will be incomplete. I thought about just trying to list the regulars but didn't want to slight folks who took the effort to come in from out-of-town. My apologies and I hope no one is offended.
Here are a pair of intrepid FReepers who came in from out of town to join us
This patriot isn't going to let a little bad weather stop her from showing the flag
About the time the sun went down the rain had turned to sleet and we had snow mixing in with the lot. It was wet snow so the flakes were large. You can even see them in this next photo
Sometime during the evening we saw the long-time Pinko we call "Squeeje Man" walk past us to join his gang of traitors. Several of us decided to follow him down and see how many of them there were. We counted about 12, which was kind of surprising. I figured that they'd have more people in town too for the events on Saturday. I guess they just couldn't take the weather, or are just demoralized from being sidelined for so long. Probably both.
Here then is the obligatory shot of the sad bad of Pinkos down the street.
One thing we've noticed is that their leaders are almost never with them. On only a few occasions have Code Pink founders Medea Benjamin and Gael Murphy been spotted, and they rarely seem to stay the entire time. That's one good reason, I am sure, that their numbers have steadily dropped. I guess Medea and Gael figure they're too important.
Kristinn Taylor, on the other hand, is present from beginning to end at almost all of our FReeps. If you want to make something a success you have to lead by example, and I'd certainly say our Walter Reed FReeps have been successful.
Here are some more of our friends from out-of-town
Bad weather didn't stop this FReeper from carrying three flags and a sign
I know this next one is grainy but poor Mrs Trooprally didn't want to use her good camera and for excellent reason. Water damage doesn't do a camera well! It's just as well though because I think the way the photo came out rather conveys the feeling of being in a mixture of sleet and snow after dark
And unless I am very much mistaken this is Jim Robinson, the founder of Free Republic, who came out to join us
Thank you once again for everyone who came out to be with us this evening! In selecting photos I tried to get the folks from out-of-town who aren't usually with us.
And for all the rest of you, we realize that it may not ever be possible for you to join us in person, but that you are here in spirit. We very much appreciate your thoughts and prayers. All I would do is encourage you to seek ways in your community to show your support for our troops. Most of you probably already participate in various programs.
Until next time...
Acknowledgements and More
Don't be shy! We'd love to have you with us one evening. If you'd like details on location, parking, etc, please send FReepmail to me or any of the other DC chapter members. You can also reach me by email at redhunter43@yahoo.com
* A special Thank You to Mrs Trooprally for taking the photos for this AAR. You can find all of the photos she took for this FReep on her Photobucket site
* Thank you to BufordP for maintaining the BIG LIST of all Walter Reed FReeps.
* Thank you always to Kristinn and tgslTakoma for all the work they do to keep these FReeps happening.
* Tom the Redhunter blogs at The Redhunter
Medea and some others are truly addicted to TV cameras, as much as any crack or h addict lives for the next fix.
God bless all of you!
I believe that is MrsTroopRally. TroopRally, please correct me if I am wrong.
The people at Walter Reed were great, and there was a lot of support from the people driving by. When I was there the number was at least 20 FReepers, easily outnumbering the Code Pinkos down the street.
It's kind of a difficult place to get to if you don't know Washington.
If anyone from out of town is going to go, I suggest you contact the DC Chapter for directions.
It was cold, wet, and rainy/snowy, and we had a great time.
My thanks to the DC Chapter for their hospitality.
Well, I was all set to go! My directions written out, I hit the road!
Two hours later...I realized A MAP would have come in handy. Shoot, anything would have come in handy at that point. What was I thinking? Who knows. I only found two gas stations that whole time and neither gave me good directions : )
On one of my many wrong turns, I found myself checking out Pentagon security ; ) I can safely say, it's well protected!! WHEW!
I was one of a group of Gold Star parents who traveled in the Caravan Across America and were able to join you for your 100th evening at Walter Reed! Our country is blessed by your service to our wounded and we were honored to share this evening with you. It was indeed a reminder of the true American spirit and patriotism!
I have to say that I did feel a little guilty though - coming from Minnesota I thoroughly enjoyed getting hit by the sleet and the aftermath of snowflakes - thought maybe I brought it!
God's blessings to you all for your dedicated service to our wounded warriors!
You sound just like me. About 200 miles down the road it occured to me I left the directions to WR on my desk. Too far to turn back for them. We eventually found WR. Eventually. :-)
Who'd a thunk, eh? I guess that was my problem, I couldn't thunk!
I have a plastic organizer with BOTH Google and Mapquest directions--to WRAMC from my hotel;from WRAMC back to the hotel PLUS a laminated map of all of DC (which is mighty hard to read in the dark) PLUS paper maps. This last time was the first time I didn't get lost either coming or going from the WRAMC freep. :-)
Was hoping you'd check in on the board--it was a pleasure to meet you. And, no, you didn't bring the sleet/snow/slurry with you--that's MY job! Hope you had a safe ride home!
That was my problem as well. :-)
WQhat an excellent idea-laminated. I put trooprally's directions in my drawer to save should I need them again.
WQhat...sorry, 'what'.
I was there that night Im in the 2nd pic
Im not use to such cold I left warm TN weather
I had wintered in TN so it was a shock to my skin
But the event was heart-warming Im glad I was there
The lady with NorthCoastConservative is eeevil conservative from GA
I'm from out of town I flew to DC
I just got on the Metro Train and bus Had no trouble finding WR
The locals all know where it is and the station folk were helpful
Was worth it standing in that freezing snow too What a blessing.
I hated to miss meeting all of you hardy travelers. I was still working on a banner for the Saturday thing. You are awesome to have stood out in the storm.
I especially hated to miss those of you whom I've corresponded with frequently, and you know who you are, freema!
We live on top of two hills in front of a forest, so it's coooold and windy here. By morning my car was under a solid shell of ice. Had to use matches and a screwdriver to open the car door early Saturday so I could turn on the defrosters and get down to the rally!
Hello Joyjoy!
You guys are phenominal!
I was priviledged to visit the WR FReep on 3/16.
Man! was it COLD and Nasty!
After driving up from Florida, I could only stay about 15 minutes before I had to go and find some lodging.
I was fortunate to meet up with Tennessee Nana and eeevil conservative(sp?) and say hello.
As I was driving up Georgia Ave. towards Walter Reed, I was listening to the Mark Levine Show when a caller said he was driving up Georgia Ave. to Walter Reed to join the FReep!
Is that cool, or what? ! ! !
Keep up the great work @WR.You guys are doing a great service for our Veterans.
Now THAT'S dedication! Way to go Albion!
It was nice to meet you last weekend, and I found your site with all the Walter Reed Freep after action reports. There was some very good info that I did not know about regarding the Code Pinkos and their leadership !!
Thanks,
V
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